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Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly

Riverfront vacation home with kitchen and fireplace

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Interior - Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly (Palatka)
Exterior - Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly (Palatka)
Fridge, oven, stovetop, dishwasher - Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly (Palatka)
Smart TV, fireplace - Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly (Palatka)
Property grounds - Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly (Palatka)
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Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly

River Vistas is a meticulously restored architectural gem set directly along the St. Johns River, offering unobstructed water views, private dock access, and timeless historic charm. Located on a stately riverfront street at the edge of Palatka's South Historic District, this home delivers a rare blend of elegance, serenity, and adventure. From sunrise coffee on the porch to evenings watching the river shimmer at dusk, every moment here feels unhurried and immersive. Whether you arrive with a boat, kayak, paddleboard, or simply a love for scenic views, River Vistas invites you to fully experience life on the water.

Standouts:
-Unobstructed St. Johns River Views from multiple living spaces
-Private Dock for boating, fishing, kayaking & paddleboarding
-Bring Your Boat: Public boat ramp nearby + dock tie-up at the home
-Historic South District Location with walkable parks & dining
-Flooded with Natural Light throughout the home
-Chef-Level Kitchen with six-burner gas stove & premium appliances
-Pet Friendly with fenced yard and dog door
-30 Minutes to St. Augustine Beach

A Home Designed to Be Enjoyed
Inside, the home is bathed in natural light, with river views visible from nearly every room. Comfortable seating areas and a porch swing make it easy to relax without ever leaving the house—sometimes the best view is right from the living room chair. The open-concept layout allows for effortless gathering, whether you're hosting family dinners or enjoying a quiet evening after a day on the water.

Kitchen & Dining
-Six-burner gas range
-High-end refrigerator
-Ample counter space
-Fully stocked cookware & utensils
-Large dining table for shared meals

Outdoor Living & Location Highlights
-Private riverfront dock for fishing, launching kayaks, or tying up your boat
-Riverside Park nearby for scenic walks
-Ravine Gardens State Park within walking distance
-Historic district strolls just outside your door
-Easy day trip to St. Augustine & the Atlantic coast

Guests enjoy full access to the entire home, including the private dock and fenced yard. Whether you're here for boating adventures, historic charm, or peaceful riverfront living, River Vistas offers a truly distinctive Florida stay—refined, relaxing, and deeply connected to the water.

-This property is dog friendly. A non-refundable pet fee of $180+tax will be charged. Please note that additional fees may apply if we find any damage, excessive pet hair, stains, or waste (inside or outside) upon checkout.
-The person reserving the home must be at least 25 years old and is fully responsible for all guests. This individual must be present at check-in and remain for the full stay.
-This is a smoke-free and vape-free property. Violations inside the home or outdoor spaces will incur a $500 odor remediation charge.
-We provide a limited initial supply of household essentials to get you settled on day one. Guests should bring or purchase additional items.
-All arrival instructions and property details are shared via a digital Welcome Guide before check-in.
-This rental does not include beach towels.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Kitchen island
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Fenced yard
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

942159

About the neighborhood

Map
FL, Palatka

What's nearby

  • Palatka Welcome Center - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Ravine Gardens State Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Bronson-Mulholland House - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Palatka Municipal Golf Course - 5 min drive - 3.0 km
  • St. Augustine Beach - 47 min drive - 60.6 km

Getting around

  • Palatka Station - 15 min walk
  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is within a 15-minute walk of Palatka Welcome Center, Ravine Gardens State Park, and Bronson-Mulholland House. Palatka Municipal Golf Course is 1.6 mi (2.6 km) away. Palatka Station is 15 minutes by foot.

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Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

9.6

Cleanliness

10

Location

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home and neighborhood, walking distance to lovely park Plenty of room for the whole family
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Victoria d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property was very clean and beautifully updated. The master suite was an amazing stay excelt the bed was extremely uncomfortable. It was perfect for our family and would absolutely book again!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great sailing destination

We were only there a few days - we will book longer next year - Area rich in history
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nelda M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An Awesome Place on the St Johns River

Place was very beautuful, clean, spacious & had everything you need to enjoy a few days or weeks on the river with family & friends. We truly loved the convenent location to everything. Great place!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Carol G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and comfortable home with a beautiful view of the river. We had a couple of issues upon arrival and the host was very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean home, great location

Peaceful location, huge home, plenty of room for everyone, check in process was super easy.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Matthew W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fishing trip

We had a great time and enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shrita K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Waterfront Wonder on the River

We enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property on the St. John’s River. The home is very spacious with nice amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Holley W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

HW

Best location in Palatka. Front porch sitting with cocktails overlooking the St. Johns. We will return.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Southside Baptist C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very Pleased

Very nice and accommodating
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Victoria S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful

Beautiful home in the perfect location for fishing and relaxing by the water! We also enjoyed our time on the front porch talking with the neighbors and learning tons of history on the area!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacie L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing River View

This was absolutely the perfect place for our family to have enough room to sleep as well as entertain family and friends who lives in town. It also has many places for the kids to hang out, play games or even sit in solitude. The views of the river from both the porch and front window were picture perfect. We will absolutely stay here on our next trip to Palatka.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jinger O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding Party

It was wonderful to have a place so peaceful and cozy to sit around and reminisce with family we haven’t seen in a long time. Very clean and so easy to just sit back and relax. Loved the sunrise from the dock!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

David M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Palatka Downtown and on the River

Great house in a great location. The house was roomy and beautifully decorated / outfitted. We had 4 adults and had plenty of room to enjoy the premises. Great views of the river and early morning sunrises. Secure parking in the back and a fenced back yard. It was a short walk to dinner downtown and to the parks along the river in Palatka.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A family celebration

Spacious, clean and beautiful home that our family enjoyed to celebrate our granddaughter's first birthday and my son's wedding the following day at Ever after farms ( easy 23 minute drive) communication with host was great, and grocery shopping , plus more just 3 miles away. Highy recommend this gem.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful home and location

The house has been renovated and is beautiful and comfortable. The kitchen is super well-equipped. Beds, pillows etc all comfortable. A few issues- the automatic lock didn’t work after letting us in, the garbage sat at the curb from Tuesday when we arrived until the pickup on Friday. The upholstered furniture has seen better days. I was afraid to sit on the two easy chairs. The mudroom where the laundry is is filthy. The management was very responsive and these issues were minor but I wanted to explain the 4s.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Great Location and View!

We had a wonderful time and the front porch view is phenomenal. Fishing from the dock was not fruitful but everyone had fun. It is an old house but very lovely. There are a few recommendations I'd make to owners/ property mgr but nothing that would prevent us from rerenting. Note, the front door sticks and 1st floor wood is warped, severely in some cases, which could hender an elderly person. Kitchen and bathrooms are very modern, which is nice. People left lots of spices, rice, coffee, tea, etc. It would be nice to have labels on remotes and light switches. It's a great location spot as you are 30- 2 hrs from a lot of tourist spots. It is a small, up and coming town, with some great breweries, wineries, bars and restaurants within walking distance, as well as Ravine Fardens just a few blocks away us from re-renting; front door stocks
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Justin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Osceola getaway

Everything about this place was amazing except for the last day and check out. I had spoken to a lady, i apologize i cannot remember her name, but she allowed our group an early check in and late check out, due to no reservations prior to or after. We left our things at the residence and returned by 11:30 AM or 12 noon to leave. Everything was already packed we just needed to change clothes and load up. The owner's brother had already been to the house with all of our belongings and started his clean out process. When we returned to check out is when we found this out. He abruptly pulled in moments after we arrived and was not the nicest fella. He was very pushy to get us out even after we told him we were approved for a late check out by 2PM. He then left the prooerty very hastily and sped off. Mind you his truck is not the most sound pleasing. Aside from that, this place is AWESOME!!! Definitely recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025