Rivendell Springs
Rivendell Springs
The last homely house — where clear springs rise to form the river underneath the ancient oaks.
Welcome to Rivendell Springs — a peaceful three-bedroom home on more than twelve private acres of pasture and woods, with nearly 600 feet of frontage on the spring-fed Santa Fe River. The river is just steps from the back door.
The drive in is a long limerock road through pine and hardwood. Then the trees open up, and there it is: the river, green and clear, with the house standing above it under an oak that has been here a lot longer than the house has.
The Santa Fe is fed by the densest cluster of freshwater springs anywhere in the world. They rise out of limestone caverns that run for miles under the pasture, and they hold at about 72 degrees year-round — cold and welcome in August, warmer than the air on a January morning.
A long fenced drive brings you in off the road, through forest and past open pasture, to the house and the river behind it. There’s no through traffic, and nothing past you but woods and water.
The whole place is yours while you’re here — house, pasture, river bank and dock. Nothing is shared with anyone.
Swim, kayak, paddleboard or tube on the Santa Fe, or fish right off the dock. Kayaks, tubes and a life jacket for every guest are provided on site.
Put in before breakfast and let the current do the work. It carries you down past the cypress knees while the herons stand in the shallows and barely glance up. Nothing on this river moves quickly, and after a day or two, neither will you.
Nearly 600 feet of the bank is yours, with a dock to fish from and a stretch of river that’s often empty all morning. Kayaks, tubes and a life jacket for every guest are available for you to use.
Not all those who wander are lostAragorn, The Lord of the RingsJ.R.R. Tolkien
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
High Springs is known as the spring capital of the United States, with some of Florida's most beautiful freshwater springs just minutes from the house.
Snorkel, swim, paddle, tube or scuba dive in crystal-clear water that holds at about 72 degrees all year. Rain that fell here years ago has been working its way down through a thousand feet of limestone ever since — which is why the springs run so clear, and why they feel so cold in summer and so warm in January.
Watch for deer, foxes, otters, owls, squirrels and wild turkeys across the property. They’re used to the quiet, and they don’t spook easily — the deer often graze the pasture at dusk within sight of the deck.
We’re far enough from any town that the sky stays properly dark. Once the sun goes down there’s no streetlight and no passing traffic — just the open field, the ancient oaks, and a night full of stars.
More than 2,400 square feet across three levels, raised up on columns, with a deck at treetop height and a Florida room walled in windows, looking out over the river.
A fully enclosed room at the back of the house, wrapped on every side by windows looking out over the Santa Fe. It’s the perfect spot for morning coffee, an afternoon with a book, or watching wildlife along the water — comfortable in any weather, and the table seats the whole party at once.
An open, cabin-style great room with a big sectional, a lounge chair, high wood ceilings, and a third-floor walkway looking down over it. A stone fireplace takes up one wall, and windows on three sides keep the woods in view.
Wake up to river views through the windows. A four-poster bed, its own door out to the deck, and no road noise to wake you.
“Far from any city light, and quiet enough that the deer come up to the house at dusk.”The pasture at Rivendell Springs
Some of the best springs in Florida are a short drive away. Here’s what’s close, and how long it takes to get there.
Springs Nearby
Famous for snorkeling, scuba diving and tubing the Santa Fe River, with a cavern system that runs far under the earth.
A stunning blue spring for swimming, snorkeling and paddleboarding, with boardwalks out over the swamp.
A quiet, family-friendly spring with a boardwalk and a swimming area — the easiest entry of the bunch for small kids.
Florida’s most famous tubing river — a long, lazy float down clear spring water under a canopy of cypress. Give it the whole day.
A Columbia County park on the north bank of the Santa Fe, with a boat ramp, a swimming area and clear spring water running into the darker river.
Antique shops, cafés and restaurants in a walkable downtown — and the nearest full grocery, about ten miles out.
Hiking Nearby
Read the full guide to hiking near High Springs & the Santa Fe River ›
Miles of trails through quiet woods, sinkhole lakes and limestone outcroppings, where the Santa Fe reappears after flowing underground.
One of Florida's first state parks: shaded trails, a historic suspension bridge, and the River Sink where the Santa Fe disappears underground.
Short nature trails along the spring run, for days you’d rather walk beside the water than float down it.
Also Nearby
Where to eat, shop and spend a day — the full local guide ›
Good for game days, graduations and visiting family — the university, Shands, the museums, and dinner out.
Antique shops, cafés and restaurants in a historic main street worth an afternoon.
The nearest full grocery store is in High Springs, with smaller stores closer. Worth stocking up before you arrive.
We’re a young couple, both Florida natives. We went to the University of Florida and lived in Gainesville for years, and we loved driving out to the springs whenever we had the chance — Ginnie, Gilchrist Blue, Poe, Ichetucknee. That’s how we came to know this stretch of the river.
Owning this house allows us to create a space where other people can experience this too. And we get to come out with our kids, let them experience this amazing place, and show them what’s worth protecting.
Michelle and Jeff manage the property and live nearby. They’ll be reaching out before your stay to introduce themselves, and if anything needs attention they are here to help. They know the area better than any guidebook, and can point you in the right direction wherever you’d want to go.
It was paradise from start to finish.
What a great spot. The river is beautiful and right there.
This cabin was way better than expected!
Nice riverfront ranch. Great for kayaking, which we did right from the back yard.
This property was amazing. Beyond our expectations.
It was absolutely beautiful there. Calm, secluded & friendly people.
Floating down the Santa Fe and visiting different springs was exactly what we were looking for.
It was exactly what we needed. Quiet and peaceful.
This home is exactly what we were looking for.
We love it, a lot to do and the peace is amazing!!
Great home! Exceeded our expectations!!
It had everything we needed and more.
Amazing property in a beautiful place!!
The perfect get away.
Reviews from our listing on Vrbo.
Pick your arrival and departure dates below. You get the whole property — house, dock, pasture and river bank.
$295 per night for 2 guests · $30 per extra guest · $20 per dog · Two-night minimum · Book direct, no platform fees
Shaded dates are already booked. Two-night minimum. Choose your dates on the right to see your total and reserve.
Secure booking handled by OwnerRez. We confirm every reservation personally.
We read every one, and it genuinely helps the next family find the place.