Camp Manatee is a magical estate situated on approximately 3 acres with over 650 feet of direct Santa Fe River frontage with a stilt home elevated over the ground by 30+ feet. This gives you an incredible vantage point of the expansive property from the home and wrap-around porches.
The home is approximately 1,500 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms and sleeps (8) people comfortably. We offer complimentary kayaks for guests to use during their stay.
Inquire about our boat rental!
The space
Camp Manatee is a stilt home with all the major indoor living areas upstairs (please note that you will need to climb up a flight of stairs to enter the house)
There are three (3) spacious bedrooms, two (2) full bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen and dining table. The living area has comfortable leather couches with sliding glass doors across the entire river-facing wall. You are sure to catch some lovely river views along with a fully screened-in wraparound porch off the back of the home. There are four (4) TVs, all equipped with Roku streaming services for you to watch your favorite shows during your stay.
Downstairs, there is an open-air recreation area with plenty of seating including a large lounge sectional plus table and chairs. There’s a hot tub, fire pit table, corn hole, and charcoal grill.
Our property also features an additional 25 acres of vacant land adjacent to the property and just across the Santa Fe River is the Fort White Wildlife and Environmental Area that comprise another 1,600 acres of preserved lands. If you are looking to relax and get back in touch with nature, this is a must-visit spot for you!
Guest access
There is plenty of free parking onsite. Up to six (6) cars would be able to park in the driveway. Camp Manatee is gated. We ask that you please do not park on the grass as we have a septic system in the area.
Guests have access to kayaks and paddles to use on the Santa Fe River which also provides access to private section of the Ichetucknee River via river.
Guests that wish to have access to additional amenities such as private tubing access to the Ichetucknee River, boat ramp, parks and more that are all in close proximity to Camp Manatee should reach out to our team to learn more.
PET POLICY:
Our home is pet friendly with an additional pet fee. We permit a maximum of two (2) pets.
EARLY CHECK-IN/LATE CHECK-OUT:
Guests should know that we can sometimes accommodate early check-in times or later check-out times. Please message via the messaging system to inquire further. Sometimes an additional fee is required depending on how early/late your request time is and if we can guarantee it
Other things to note
KAYAKS:
We offer 4 single kayaks and a 3 person canoe complimentary for your use on the Santa Fe River during your stay at Camp Manatee. Paddles and life jackets are made available. Please note use of the kayaks, canoes, and swimming in the river are at your own risk.
HOT TUB:
We offer complimentary use of a six-person hot tub. The hot tub is offered as available, as there are times when the hot tub is undergoing maintenance and may not be available for your stay. Please check in with us to ensure the hot tub is available for your visit.
BOAT RENTAL:
Elevate your trip by renting our 18' pontoon boat the "Manatee I". Fish the Santa Fe, hit the Springs or the Ichetucknee River riverside, or take a cruise down the historic Suwannee River. We have a 2023 18’ Sun Tracker Bass buggy with a 75HP motor available for rent. This is a relatively new boat that seats 8 passengers for the cruise. The Manatee I is the perfect boat for exploring and relaxing on the beautiful Santa Fe River and for spotting our favorite guests: MANATEES! Go for a swim, drop anchor or tie off for a pristine picnic, or catch some fish. Contact us to inquire further and let us help you have your best days ever on the water. The boat will be docked on our private dock on the river for easy use and convenience. Boat rates range from $350 - $450+ a day depending on the time of year. We have multi-day discounts available or book for a week for maximum savings. if you arrive on a Sunday and leave the following Sunday, you will rent the boat for 6 full days which constitutes a week.
Note: The Boat Rental of the Manatee I is also available for anyone even if you do not plan on staying at Camp Manatee, as long as the boat is available. Reach out to us for more information.
There is wildlife all around you at Camp Manatee – on land and in the river. You may see deer, alligators, wild hogs, turkeys, manatees, squirrels, snakes, and rabbits during your visit. Some of the wildlife may be dangerous, and we advise all guests to be aware of their surroundings while on or around the property.
Please note that our home is in a camp-like setting and guests may encounter bugs. We do have a pest control company that regularly services the home, but if visiting in the spring and summer months please anticipate some bugs.
SPRINGS AND POPULAR LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
The Santa Fe River is fed by 36 named major springs. Countless other unnamed minor and micro springs dot the river just waiting to be found and explored!
Ichetucknee River / Ichetucknee Springs State Park: 10 minutes away via car, also accessible via kayak
Poe Springs: 20 minutes away
Little River Springs: 20 minutes away
O'Leno State Park and River Rise: 20 minutes away
High Springs: 20 minutes away
Ginnie Springs and Devil Springs: 25 minutes away
Bob's River Place: 25 minutes away (currently closed)
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park: 30 minutes away
Gainesville/University of Florida: 45 minutes away
