Entire home

This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature

Photo gallery for This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature

Property grounds
Property grounds
Desk, free WiFi, bed sheets
Smart TV, DVD player, books, video library
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Entire home

2400 sq ft

Explore the area

Map
Chiefland, FL
  • Popular LocationManatee Springs State Park13 min drive
  • Popular LocationLower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge21 min drive
  • Popular LocationFanning Springs State Park37 min drive
  • AirportGainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional)80 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature

Great new deck structure on river boat house! The best room on the Suwannee. Sit high above the river with a line dropped in or a book in hand and watch the water flow below.
Go back in time to a place on the Suwannee that is reminiscent of the 50s.
A quiet retreat where nature, the river and fishing is right out your back door.
A beautiful private dock to lounge on or fish from, as well as a sloped beach which is perfect for your kayaks/canoes, with a tie up for larger boats, and a floating dock and easy river access. A free county boat ramp is just a few houses down. The property is approximately 28 minutes by boat to the Gulf of Mexico for salt water enthusiasts. This is a perfect location for those who are serious fishermen or kayak paddlers. Our neighborhood is a peaceful, relaxing and safe one. Wildlife co-exist with deer and local birds frequenting the premises.
Our single-dwelling home will sleep seven easily and has a nice yard to relax and picnic in. The fire pit and grill are available for cooking up your daily catch or a nice steak. The dishwasher works great inside so you will not have to deal with daily chores. A collection of over 400 books are in the library for the evenings when your day events are done, and internet is available. The bedding is super comfortable and we take pride in keeping the home immaculately clean.
The property is 4.9 miles from Manatee State Park -- a perfect swimming hole in the summer and with wintering manatees to view. It is a 27-minute drive to historic Cedar Key on the Gulf of Mexico, and a 20-minute drive to Shell Mound known as a kayakers playground. It is an interesting historical site you won't want to miss! If you like to hike, just walk out the front door as we are near the brush trails of both the State Park and Florida Water Management Preserve. We are also only 10 miles from the Lower Suwannee Refuge, great for biking or hiking, and also just a short drive to Gulf Hammock area which is a hunter's paradise. Bring your bicycles and enjoy the beautiful and mostly shaded Nature Coast Rail Trail which can be accessed in nearby Chiefland.
The town of Chiefland is 10 minutes from the house and has a variety of restaurants, antique stores, shops and groceries. Other areas to explore are Fanning Springs, Old Town, Suwannee (the town), Crystal River, as well as many nature parks nearby. Gainesville and Ocala are roughly one hour away if you want more metro activities. If you don’t own a boat/kayak/canoe/bike, there are plenty of charter and rental companies in the area.
This area of the Suwannee is what Ol' Florida used to be -- a place to get away and just relax, fish, bike, kayak, get back to nature. We look forward to hosting you and if you have any questions we are right next door.

Property manager

Mary Beth Green

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Cobblestone flooring in public areas
  • No elevator
  • Single level property
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a zoo
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea
  • On a lake
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Golf on site
  • Gym on site
  • Water park on site
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing 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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • 1 unit
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,400 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 22

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

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Yard is fenced in.

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
Note from host: Small one day gatherings may be acceptable.
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, a first aid kit, 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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Retro River Retreat a Getaway to Relaxation and Nature Chiefland

About the area

Chiefland

Located in Chiefland, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Dakotah Winery and Hart Springs Park are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and Fanning Springs State Park. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Manatee Springs State Park - 13 min drive
  • Chiefland Farmers Flea Market - 21 min drive
  • Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge - 21 min drive
  • Fanning Springs State Park - 37 min drive
  • Hart Springs Park - 42 min drive

Getting around

  • Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) - 81 min drive

Restaurants

  • Treasure Camp on the Suwannee - 16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is This Retreat sits directly on the Suwannee River and is your getaway to Nature located?

This family-friendly Chiefland vacation home is located on the waterfront, 0.6 mi (1 km) from Suwannee River, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Manatee Springs State Park and Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. Chiefland Farmers Flea Market and Eddie Buie Park are also within 12 mi (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Niki M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful location, wonderful owners.
The property was beautiful and well cared for. The house was also very well cared for. The area is a very quiet and private place. We would absolutely love to rent this property again just not through Vrbo. They were the only horrible part of the experience. Property however is definitely a five star for my family and I.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing retreat
What a perfect place to disconnect from everything and relax!! The owners are wondering host and neighbors. We're already looking forward to our next visit
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Katie K.

Nosy Neighbors
I wasn’t going to give a review at all, I was raised if you don’t have anything nice to say then keep to yourself. The owners are next door and I mean next door, they see and watch everything you do. They have stuff in the rental so they are coming in and out all day. And they are watching you the entire time as well as their neighbors across the street. It’s truly unsettling. The house is old, needs lots of upgrades. The kitchen and the cabinets are gross, the bathrooms are even more so. The beds are hard as rocks. The back yard is great lots of area to play corn hole and stuff but you have the owners right there. We never had more then 7 spend the night but she thinks we did bc he knows better then us. If you don’t mind someone in your business 24/7 then signup for this place otherwise I would pass. I have been a customer of Vrbo for years and this is by far the worst experience. To be accused of things that never happened, I mean how could I hide anything they were right there. The house had no issues when we left. I did what was asked…I think someone is just finding a way to keep her security deposit.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Vacation
We looooved this house! Would stay again in a heartbeat. Clean, spacious and "Old Florida"! Lots of outing opportunities close by and within about an hour's drive from the property.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay on Suwannee River
Rustic River is a retro property sitting on bank of the Suwannee River in a remote area which is what we were looking for. Plenty of good restaurants in area within 20 - 30 minute drive, great bike trails and golf at the throwback Chiefland Golf & Country Club. The house is campy but very serviceable and met all of our needs. Mary Beth and Joe are great hosts.
Stayed 14 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laurie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Getaway on the Suwannee River
The house is very clean and sleeps 7 very comfortably. It has a great screened dock on the river which is very nice and relaxing. The location is very close to springs and restaurants. Owners were very friendly and accommodating.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

SHARON B.

Liked: Cleanliness
convenient location
Comfortable. Served our needs quite well and the location was perfect.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Tradition in the making
I’m a huge fan of the Suwannee River experience, the opportunity to comfortably share that with my friends and family is all made possible with the Retro River Retreat!! I will definitely bring my tribe back year after year!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rene s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family vacation
Relaxing place in a quiet neighborhood. Loved the boat house and fishing off the dock. Close to several springs we visited. Great restaurants nearby. Rented a boat one day for trip on the Suwanee.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rita K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome ! getaway
Spacious, Great Views! Near everything. The people are so friendly, everywhere! Can't wait to go back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022