Entire home

Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam

Photo gallery for Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam

Interior detail
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Dining
Escape to Nature Lover's Cottage, a true forest retreat surrounded by wildlife and plenty of outdoor activities. Unwind in the backyard overlooking the grassy pond or cozy up by the fire ring with provided firewood.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 687 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet friendly
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer

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.

Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam

Calling all nature lovers! Hiking, four-wheeling, fishing and more... create your base camp for a long weekend, a week or more. Looking for a few month’s stay? Ask about our multi-month discounts! House offers three bedrooms plus one and a half baths. First bedroom has the half bath and queen bed, second bedroom has queen bed, plus a third bedroom is equipped with twin over twin bunks with walk through to full bath.

Back patio overlooks grassy pond which brings in a variety of wildlife a special treat for birdwatching. A true forest escape, many activities are nearby. Enjoy the local springs, fishing, hunting, hiking or ATVs.

Pet friendly with a $75 non refundable pet fee. Please keep pets on a leash when outside in. Neighbors’ dogs and wildlife roam through the yard.

THINGS TO DO: simply enjoy getting away from life's hustle & bustle and enjoy a fire (in the fire ring please). Firewood is provided. Smart TV and wifi are available. Wild animals are around, please do not feed or harass.

Rodman Dam is 2 miles away and offers great fishing. Bring your fishing gear as the ponds at Penner Pond are known to have great fishing too! Various four-wheeling trails surround the area (please trailer your ATVs to appropriate parking for trailheads). For hikers, several trails will take you through the Penner Ponds area or other Florida trails nearby. A popular spot is Hopkins Prairie for trails and observing wildlife.

LOCAL INTERESTS: Other nearby activities include the Hog Waller Mud Bog, events at Rodeheaver Boys Ranch, Palatka Bass fishing Tournaments and a variety of festivals in nearby Ocala, Gainesville or Palatka. If going to the springs (Salt Springs or Juniper) arrive early as they reach capacity quickly on weekends!

ACCESS INFORMATION: Discover what is beyond forest roads. Penner Pond Drive is a narrow dirt road that leads to a small community and your home for a few days. Once there, a partially fenced yard with a grassy pond and forest space as your boundaries on one side. A quiet neighborhood with farm animals as well as wildlife welcome you. The property offers over an acre of outdoor space. We have charcoal grills for outdoor cooking too!

Owners are licensed Florida real estate agents. We invite you to like and follow our Facebook page for events and weather updates: @NatureLoversCottageONF Feel free to tag yourself, share your photos and rate your stay. Thank you for your interest!!! We hope you enjoy!

*All-Wheel Drive and 4WD suggested if planning to explore the forest roads away from the cottage.

**Monthly option is available. Inquire for details including actual month/ months needed.

***Please take note you may not have WiFi-GPS services as you approach the area. Google Map is best but not accurate for our turn. Directions will be sent to you in advance. Please print them for your trip in case you loose your signal. ***

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Charcoal grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: No smoking inside. $150 penalty held from deposit.

Location highlights

  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 936 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Lock the doors
Turn off bedroom A/Cs and set dining room A/C to 78 prior to leaving.
Wednesday or Thursday check outs, please take garbage can to outside of gate for Friday pickup.
Thank you for staying. Be sure to book future dates with us soon!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

Bag all trash before putting it in garbage can. A $30 fine otherwise. Keep our forest clean. Also for bear prevention.
Trailer ATVs to appropriate parking areas. Install Avenza and get the WMA maps for Ocala. They are for licensed vehicles to help stay on legal trail.
Absolutely no rearranging inside furniture. A $50 extra charge will be added if furniture has to be moved after your stay.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Previous huntcamp, keep eye on small ones please

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking inside. $150 penalty held from deposit.

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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
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 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

Ocala Forest Escape
Ocala Forest Escape rodman Dam Area
Ocala Forest Escape-Rodman Dam area (Ft. McCoy/ Palatka) Cottage

About the neighborhood

Map
FL, Fort McCoy

What's nearby

  • Ocala National Forest - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Palatka Welcome Center - 40 min drive - 37.9 km
  • Orange Springs Park - 44 min drive - 37.3 km
  • Royal Manor Winery - 44 min drive - 36.1 km
  • Silver Glen Springs Recreation - 50 min drive - 48.7 km

Getting around

  • Palatka Station - 33 min drive
  • Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) - 76 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hog Valley Civic Center - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Hog Wild Country Cafe - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Pig Pen Saloon - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Backwoods Smokehouse - ‬27 min drive
  • ‪Hog Valley saloon - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.

What time is check-in at Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Nature Lover’s Cottage at Penner Pond, Ocala Forest/ Rodman Dam located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is steps from Ocala National Forest and 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Rodman Reservoir. Syracuse Island and Hog Island are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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