Entire home

Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access

Riverside holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access

Easy entry/exit to river with sandy river bottom, great for swimming & fishing
Recharge your life & create a memorable vacation on the river.
Welcome to The River Rock Retreat...let your vacation begin!
Large deck to hot tub w/gorgeous views, maximum privacy, & sounds of the river
My happy place. The lower tier is a Certified Wildlife Habitat

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7161.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Howard, CO
  • Place, Salida Museum
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Riverside Park
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Place, Salida Golf Club
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Futon, 1 Single Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access

Welcome to The River Rock Retreat, where you’ll recharge your life & create a memorable vacation on the river!

Located in the picturesque town of Howard, Colorado, The River Rock Retreat offers world class fishing on the gold medal Arkansas River, with a 1,000 feet of private river frontage, stunning Sangre de Cristo mountain peak views, endless exploration on public land adjacent to the home, and lush landscape with old growth trees on a two tier setting - a nature lovers paradise!

Bright and spacious open floor plan home with 2 oversized bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps 7 comfortably with room to spare. Views in every direction + easy access to the lively town of Salida, Colorado and all the area has to offer.

Only 14 miles east of Salida, with art, festivals, shopping, hiking, swimming, concerts, bars and restaurants, theatre, golf, ATV/UTV rentals, and more nearby. A gorgeous 41.6 mile drive down river to enjoy the adventures at The Royal Gorge, and 46.4 miles to Canon City with its rich history, festivals, and even more shopping and dining opportunities.

The River Rock Retreat offers…

>2+ acre 2 tier setting with old-growth shade trees and native landscape with ~1,000 feet of private Arkansas River Access. Private guest access only, no public access (steps take you down to the river).

>Clean and spacious 1970's home with 1,740 sq. ft., open floorpan, views from every window, and designer furnishings, finishes, appliances, and linens (home is on the upper tier of the property).

>2 oversized bedrooms with one king bed and one twin bed in each (and a twin cot in one of the bedrooms for additional sleeping), private glass slider (entry/exit) out to front patio, views of rock outcroppings and garden, and large closets.

>Wrap around deck with views of the Arkansas River, Sangre de Cristo mountain range, BLM rock/cliff outcroppings, garden, and wildlife (depending on the fullness of the trees, you may not be able to see the river from the deck).

>AIR CONDITIONING. Excellent A/C swamp cooler cools entire home.

>Fully stocked kitchen with eat-in island & granite counter tops.

>Large dining room with windows to take in the river and mountains views, connected to the wrap around deck and hot tub.

>Full-Size Washer & Dryer. Large laundry room with door to deck overlooking river and in-ground fire pit.

>Sunken living room with 65" HDTV flat screen TV & satellite channels and marble surround wood burning fireplace.

>Free internet. Free WiFi.

>Hot Springs Spa Therapeutic Hot Tub. Listen to sounds of the river in your private spa. Cleaned and sanitized by a spa professional prior to each guest upon arrival.

>Propane grill to cook your favorite meals while enjoying the lush landscape.

>Fire Pit with a view. In-ground fire pit to enjoy views in every direction (firewood NOT provided, can be purchased at your nearest convenience store).

>Multiple outdoor seating areas that take advantage of the outstanding views, peaceful setting, and sounds of nature.

>1,000’s of acres to explore directly from property onto BLM (public land); hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking, ATV/UTVing, and more.

>Secluded and quiet location. The river is between property and highway, the trees provide a feeling of privacy and seclusion (neighbors can be seen across the river while at the river and when near the house, depending on the fullness of the trees, you may not be able to see the river).

>Certified Wildlife Habitat from the National Wildlife Foundation. The lower tier, adjacent to the river, is a Certified Wildlife Habitat. This distinction states that the property has food, water, cover, and places to raise young, along with sustainable practices to ensure soil, air, and water stay healthy and clean.

>Vacation Ready! Well-appointed kitchen, towels, linens, soaps, toilet paper, trash bags, and coffee, everything you need (aside from a swim suit and food) to make you feel at home and get the most out of your vacation.

Endless adventures in the surrounding area including, rock climbing, UTV/ATVing, hiking, horseback riding, hot springs, swimming, golfing, rafting, fishing, stand up paddle boarding, shopping, festivals, The Royal Gorge, Canon City, The Great Sand Dunes, Browns Canyon, Buena Vista, Leadville, stunning drives over Independence Pass, day trips to Crested Butte and other mountain towns, and so much more.

THE most level/grassy/shaded ARKANSAS RIVERFRONT vacation rental in the area (no public access), at the end of a private drive. Gold Medal Fishing. Fish from your own private island. BLM on 2 sides. Hike, bike, fish, swim, raft, float, ride, directly from property. Far enough away to escape the crowds, yet close enough to experience adventures in every direction. Year round easy and level access.

Your retreat awaits, book today!




All guests are responsible for following the House Rules and Check Out Instructions and accepting the terms of the Rental Policies prior to check-in. Owner has security cameras in place, on the exterior of the home, tampering with, adjusting, or messing with cameras is not permitted. NO PETS. Over occupancy of guests and unauthorized pets will result in $150 fee being charged to credit card on file. Failure to follow House Rules, including but not limited to, driving a MAXIMUM SPEED of 10 MPH on Mustang Trail, will result in cancellation at full cost to the guest.

This home is rented for personal vacation use only. Any other use including large gatherings or parties is not allowed UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL is given. Renters must abide by all rental terms and policies, as well as all local applicable property covenants, restrictions, regulations and laws. Any evidence of smoking, use of firearms, driving ATV's/UTV's/dirt bikes/etc. in the driveway or on the private road, unapproved over-occupancy, unauthorized pets, damage resulting from violation of rental policies, and/or excessive mess may result in charges up to $3,000.00 to the Guest's credit card on file, as authorized by Guest's approval of the terms of the House Rules, Check Out Instructions, and all other rental Information.

No refunds will be issued due to weather conditions.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
PRIOR approval & additional fees WILL APPLY
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
10 MPH ON MUSTANG TRAIL. No off-road vehicles on Private Drive, trailer your toys to your destination - please respect the neighbors, DRIVE SLOW!
No loud noises of any kind after 9 PM. The home is very peaceful and in a quiet location, please keep it that way.
No fireworks of any kind. No unauthorized guests. No unauthorized pets on the property. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR ANY RULES/INSTRUCTIONS NOT FOLLOWED

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: PRIOR approval & additional fees WILL APPLY
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Howard

Located in Howard, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Art Matters Gallery & Studio and SteamPlant Theater and Event Center are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Rocky Mountain Mini Golf and Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Howard, CO

What's nearby

  • Salida Museum - 15 min drive - 23.2 km
  • Riverside Park - 16 min drive - 23.6 km
  • SteamPlant Theater and Event Center - 16 min drive - 23.9 km
  • Salida Golf Club - 17 min drive - 23.5 km
  • Mt. Shavano Fish Hatchery - 19 min drive - 25.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Howard’s Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Eggie Acres - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Riverview Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Susie's Out-West Cafe & Steakhouse - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access?

As of 9 Nov 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access on 10 Nov 2025 start from AU$667.49, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded Riverfront Retreat w/hot tub & private river access located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps away from Arkansas River and Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Cotopaxi City Park and Riverside Park are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 129 out of 151 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 151 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 151 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 151 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 151 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Akeyra B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is perfect for a girls’ getaway. It offers breathtaking views and a hot tub for relaxation. It couldn’t be a more ideal place to stay. Plus, it’s close to some local towns for shopping.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very peaceful, lots of room, all the needed comforts of home.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

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

Short title

Great setting
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley H.

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

Beautiful House on AR River

Our stay at the River Rock Retreat was amazing. A nice house with all the amenities and access to the River from the back yard. It offered a secluded feel but still close to neighbors with a perfect view of mountains from the back porch. We would definitely stay here again. Thanks for making our stay great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Traci P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We rented this as the groomsmen’s house for our daughter’s wedding at Howard Creek Farm. It was the perfect choice. The location is great, close to the venue and importantly, right on the river. The guys caught a crazy number of fish on each trip into the river. The house was clean, comfortable, a nice home. The guys had a great time. Lora and Mary communicate very well and are very kind. We could not have asked for anything more.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jan M.

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

Beautiful Weekend at the river

The visit was so nice. The house had everything and lots of outdoor spaces with gorgeous views.We did find the beds overly soft. Otherwise, all was perfect.Thank you so much.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca M.

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

Perfect Family Getaway

I brought my parents and 2 older sons for a getaway in the mountains. Everything was PERFECT. Excellent location, beautiful property and the host is an exceptional communicator. I would recommend this home to anyone looking for a peaceful mountain retreat.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cory B.

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

Beautiful home and surroundings!

My son and his wife stayed for 2 nights during their honeymoon and loved it! The hot tub was in good working order, the kitchen had everything needed to prepare a meal, the scenery was breathtaking and the neighbors were all courteous. Checking in went perfectly and they enjoyed the biking trails that were close by.
Beautiful view just steps away from the home!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan H.

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

Great place on River

This property was so awesome! The views, the hot tub, the river right out the door. We had lots of room to move around! The beds were great as well!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

ANURAAG C.

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

Loved it

We really enjoyed the stay. Will book it again next year in Summer, at least 2 days are required to enjoy this property.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Evan

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Everything was in good driving distance. Skiing, snowmobiling and towns. Loved the area
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Zachary M.

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

Beautiful River front property

This is a gorgeous house in a even prettier setting. We really enjoyed our relaxing week off the beaten path. The great fly fishing was an added bonus.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Greg T.

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

Lovely home

Lovely quiet neighborhood / home.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve k., highlands ranch, colorado

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

Great get away

Great for relaxing, Hot tub was great, Perfect for family. Thank you!! Steve
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kenny B.

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

Great location

This house was at the end of the road right on the Arkansas river. Lora was fast to respond to all my questions. Beautiful property and great location. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly D.

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

Amazing!

What an amazing property! The home and location are pristine. Get for any type of get away. The property managers were super easy to communicate. They were even kind enough to acknowledge my birthday! We will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Laura G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Perfect base for exploring Arkansas River. Visited National Dunes, white water rafting and fly fishi

Great base. Love the quirky 70s layout and decor. Very clean and beautiful neighborhood. Lower yard was not mowed nor was “island” as listed so difficult to fish.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Traci S.

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

Sienna 18 Bday!

Everything was so great at this Vrbo! We had a great time, the home was comfortable and we had enough room to spread out and then come together for meals, hot tubbing, walks to the river, movie night and board games! We would love to come a second time! 💜 thanks for the hospitality and opening up your home. My daughter and other kids will remember this trip forever.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

2/10 Terrible

Todd C.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a horrible experience with this property. As soon as we entered the home, we were met with a strong mold and mildew smell. The listing advertised HVAC, but instead we found only a very old swamp cooler in the laundry room with a single fan. The home was hot and uncomfortable, and the carpets were badly stained.Outside, the condition was just as disappointing. The yard was not maintained, and the long stairwell down to the overgrown yard had no handrail, which posed a safety concern. The supposed “river view” was completely obstructed by tall bushes and scrub growth over our heads. The only seating area was a long walk away and had a set of chairs that faced directly toward visitor cabins, offering no privacy or seclusion.We tried contacting the host no response was received further demonstrates bad faith.We left the property immediately because it was completely misrepresented in the listing and uninhabitable for our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Drew H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a nice relaxing stay at a great Colorado getaway. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dee B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was beautiful and nicely decorated. It is an older home but very comfortable. We loved the location! River access and at the end of the road, so fairly private.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Abercrombie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time. Everything was exactly as said. The fishing was great in front of the cabin. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just a great property.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Check in easy. House clean and well kept. Enjoyed the hot tub and the fire pit out back. Second time using this property, has good fishing access to the Arkansas for my elderly father.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Judy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So well equipped. The space was excellent for 4 adults and 2 young adults. Exactly as described. Easy check in and everything very clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Lora & Mary

Host profile image
Welcome to The River Rock Retreat! We are mother daughter team Mary and Lora, born and raised in the small mountain town of Kremmling, Colorado.

Daughter and granddaughter to an accomplished brick layer and rancher we are no stranger to hard work and have decades of combined experience providing rental services, property management, cleaning, yard work, and ranch life.

We've got big dreams and even bigger hearts. We sincerely hope that every person who walks through our doors feels mountains of joy, rivers of abundance, and sunshine-like peace. Even though the home is older, we hope everyone feels like a king and queen with 5-star amenities, cleanliness, and comfort. We hope you leave your vacation feeling recharged, refueled, and ready for your next adventure.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with the restful energy, lush scenery, and jaw-dropping views of The River Rock Retreat. Our family has rafted all over Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah and couldn’t resist owning our own piece of riverfront paradise.

Howard is an unexpected gem and never disappoints.

We’re so happy to have you stay at our home, let your adventure begin!

What makes this property unique

THE most private level/grassy/shaded ARKANSAS RIVERFRONT vacation rental in the area (no public access), at the end of a private/dead end road. Gold Medal Fishing. Fish from your own private island. BLM on 3 sides. Hike, bike, fish, swim, raft, float, ride, directly from property. Far enough away to escape the crowds, yet close enough to experience adventures in every direction. Year round easy and level access.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests