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The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee

Riverside holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee

Expansive river views from the giant deck.
Property video
The deck that overlooks the expansive deck and boardwalk/river.
The Confluence Cabin is a cedar cabin where your family can relax and enjoy.
The cabin sits under a canopy of oak tress on two acres of property.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10121.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Ichetucknee River
  • Place, Ichetucknee Springs State Park
  • Place, Ginnie Spring

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Downstairs Suite

2 Double Beds and 2 Single Beds

Primary Bedroom

1 King Bed

Secondary Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Hall Bathroom Upstairs

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Primary Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee

CONFLUENCE: /kŏn′floo͞-əns/ noun
1. The place where two rivers, streams, or other continuously flowing bodies of water meet and become one.

The Confluence Cabin is a beautiful cedar home nestled where the Ichetucknee River pours into the Santa Fe. The sprawling 2 acre property has more than a full acre fenced in, making it the perfect spot for children to play on the tree swing and for dogs to run off leash. Grill out and eat every meal under the canopy of oak trees on our 400 sq ft deck. Rinse off in the outdoor shower. Bringing your personal boat or jet skis? The boat ramp is right down the street. There are also pontoon boat and jetski rentals nearby. The neighborhood is golf cart and side by side friendly, no 4 wheelers please.

At the cabin, you will enjoy the views from our resort style boardwalk, multiple docks and covered pavilion, which features a twin size bed swing overlooking the river. The year-round 73 degree pure spring water bubbling from the ground attracts friendly manatees and otters, along with hundreds of species of fish and birds. Cool off in the river with a swim (bring a snorkel) or fish until your bait or daylight runs out. The State Park across the highway offers float and kayak trips, swimming holes and even scuba diving in caves. Star gazing is absolutely breathtaking from the cabin. You can see all of the constellations.

HOST PRO TIP: Tube the Ichetucknee River over and over for free when you stay with us! Our cabin guests get free access to our community dock on the Ichetucknee where you can launch from, float 45 minutes and end right at our cabin dock. Your stay includes access to tubes (2 singles, 1 double, 1 cooler and electric pump), stand up pontoon paddle boards (2), regular kayaks (7), canoe (1), and the crystal clear glass bottom "manatee viewer" kayak (1).

The cabin itself is cozy and you will feel right at home. The upstairs has two bedrooms, one King and one Queen, as well as two bathrooms. The kitchen has all the essentials and the nearest grocery store is within 2 miles. NOTE FOR PARENTS: The downstairs bedroom is accessed from the EXTERIOR ONLY. It features one large room with four beds, a full bathroom, and large screened area (340 sq ft), as well as laundry room. The upstairs and downstairs can communicate via Alexa devices if desired. We have free WI-FI and all TVs are SmartTV/Firestick enabled for your streaming services. The house has loads of games inside and outside including a tree swing, floating river mat, Foosball, Nintendo 64, Cornhole, Croquet, a Bingo Wheel, Playing Cards, Zim Zam, Cribbage, Sand Toys, Board Games, as well as Books and Toys for younger kids.

Our area is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Bird enthusiasts should expect to see a variety of water birds, American kestrel, northern bobwhite, eastern wild turkey, barred owl, red-headed woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrow and many more. Bring your binoculars and checklist when you visit!

*Please note that the river can rise. At times the water will be high enough to cover the dock and come into the yard. It's beautiful to see because the water is crystal clear. During a river rise boats and kayaks can be launched from the yard. You can check the river level at 3 Rivers by searching the internet for water dot weather dot gov.

RULES:
Must be 25 years old to rent. No more than 10 people on property at any time. Day guests/visitors need prior approval and are subject to charges.

The VRBO member who books the reservation MUST be at the home each night.

Our cabin is in a quiet, HOA neighborhood. If a party is held or a music gets too loud, then you should expect to either see our neighbors or local authorities at the door. Our property manager lives down the road if needed for any reason. There are live streaming, exterior cameras on the property.

Maximum of 4 vehicles allowed on property at a time. NO 4 wheelers allowed.

No cats allowed, 3 dog limit at $35/per dog, per stay. Well behaved dogs only, no puppies. Within the week of your stay, please message host brand name of the flea medicine used and date given.

Don’t forget to bring your firewood and life jackets.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
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

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Check Out is at 11:00am. A fee of $25/hour will start at 11:15am. Strip all beds that were used, along with the towels and put them downstairs in the washing machine.
Load + start dishwasher Please do not leave perishable food behind Put garbage in cans under stairs Make sure gate key is returned Make sure the kayaks are upside down on rack Turn off lights
Turn the air to 78 degrees (when cooling). Set the air to 68 (when heating). Lock sliding glass doors To lock the front door, pull the door tight and hit the lock button Close the gate when you depart
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Branford

Located in Branford, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. While the natural beauty of Ginnie Spring and Fort White Wildlife and Environmental Area can be enjoyed by anyone, those looking for an activity can head to Bob's River Place. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Branford, FL

What's nearby

  • Ichetucknee Springs State Park - 4 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Suwannee River - 16 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Santa Fe River-Hartzog Conservation Easement - 21 min drive - 10.2 km
  • Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park - 32 min drive - 34.1 km
  • Ginnie Spring - 33 min drive - 33.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Subway - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Collective - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Hungry Howies Pizza - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Farm Stand - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Package Shack - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Confluence Cabin: Free tubing, paddle boarding + kayaking on the Ichetucknee located?

This family-friendly Branford holiday home is located on the waterfront, steps away from Santa Fe River, Fort White Wildlife and Environmental Area and Ichetucknee River. Ichetucknee Springs State Park is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 200 out of 224 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 20 out of 224 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 224 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 224 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 224 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amber C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home and property. Pet friendly was the biggest plus for us. The care the owner takes is fantastic.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bonny P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location cannot be beat for anyone into kayaking. Not a fancy house but fine for lodging. Good communication by owner. Nice deck and boardwalk to River.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property and awesome time in Old Florida. Looking forward to returning again soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Old Florida at her best! The river was so cool that we stayed and swam off the dock instead of going to the springs.
June 17, 2025
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

SARA R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed at this beautiful property in July. The home has everything you could need during your stay. It’s right on the river and has a great dock with a huge swing to enjoy the beautiful sunsets! Everything you need to enjoy the river is provided. Kayaks, paddle boards, tubes and more. There is a fire pit and tree swing. There are deer all around the property and the fish literally jump out of the water! The property is close enough to town if you want to grab dinner. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would love to stay here again!
One of the beautiful sunsets
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

David H.

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

Old friends kayak vacation

This is a very nice home in a peaceful neighborhood on the river. The beautiful decks and dock on the water made for a very relaxing stay.We would book this VRBO again!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy V.

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

Vacation

Had a great stay
Stayed 9 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

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

Nice river getaway

We had family ages 5 to 75 on this trip and we all had equal time fun and relaxation. Bird watching, fishing, swimming, and tubing… we did it all. Location is remote and quiet- exactly what we needed. It was also amazing to bring our dogs and see them having fun on vacation too. Some minor issues occurred while there, and the owners responded very quickly with care and action. Would recommend and return.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pete S.

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

Quite and a restful stay

This house and property was just as expected and described. Communication was suoer fasr and accomdating.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

8/10 Good

Tammy C.

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

River getaway

Great location on the river and many unforgettable memories.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jayme N.

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

Peaceful Perfection

This cottage is such a beautiful piece of paradise in the Branford area. The river views, the decks and docks, the property, the house…the entire experience was just absolutely lovely. The owners were gracious, accommodating, responsive, and the sweetest hosts we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with. We can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mason P.

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

Most Beautiful Yard

We had an amazing stay! We loved sitting on the porch and watching the birds eat from the bird feeder. Kris was a great host and made sure to have everything we needed!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer K.

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

Confluence Cabin

We stayed here 4 years ago under different owners. The new owners did an amazing job on updating the home and making it extremely welcoming. They literally have EVERYTHING you need for your stay. We were sad to leave.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason B.

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

A great river retreat

I spent a few days here celebrating my birthday with some family and friends. We had an amazing time. This is a incredible location with fantastic amenities--really everything you need for a fun, relaxing river vacation.I would recommend reading the property description closely and making sure that it's a good fit for what you're planning. E.g., no parties, limit on how many cars can be on the property, and the nearest neighbors are very close by. But if you're just looking to relax and enjoy yourself, you definitely have everything you need here for that.I highly recommend doing a paddle trip from the north entrance of the Ichetucknee State Park all the way to the property's dock on the Santa Fe. It's about 4 hours and was definitely one of the highlights of our stay.The host was a great communicator and overall has created a space that you'll never want to leave. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jessica L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time at the Confluence Cabin! It was the perfect little getaway we needed to “step back in time” - the Old Florida vibe - to slow down & enjoy the peace & tranquility of nature. The home was cozy, clean & tidy with all the basics needed & a well stocked kitchen. We enjoyed paddling the Ichetucknee River - we paddled kayaks & paddleboards all the way from the North Entrance down to the cabin & it was such a beautiful, sunny day that made for a lovely 3-4hr paddle. We also tubed from LB Park on a separate day & it was a nice, leisurely float all the way to the house (45 min float). The evenings are perfect for grilling out, enjoying a fire, playing games (corn hole, a few board games, etc) or piling up and watching a movie. We all enjoyed playing in the river right off the dock - using the float pad, swinging on the rope & snorkeling around for cool finds. The kids had an absolute blast & we all hope to come back again at some point! Also, mornings on the deck eating breakfast & drinking coffee while listening to the wind chimes was lovely, as well as enjoying the water view from the deck swing down by the river. In addition, our host, Melissa, was super communicative when we reached out with questions about anything at all. 10/10 recommend! All in all we had a great time here at the Confluence Cabin & we hope to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole D.

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

River Getaway

From start to finish it was a great stay! We booked with the previous owners however Melissa made the crossover seamless. She communicated with us right up to our visit. The cabin was just as advertised and we enjoyed the stay. We even took the kayaks out and floated down to the house. Thanks and see you next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Tiffany H.

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

We had an amazing fall trip

We enjoyed being out in the woods. It was such a beautiful property and very peaceful. Our boys 7 & 4 had a blast playing in the large fenced in backyard along with our dog. The dock/patio area down by the river is very nice. Our boys enjoyed playing in the river. We also checked out the springs less than 20 minutes away, gorgeous. All in all we had an amazing time!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison G.

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

Peaceful and serene on the Santa Fe River

My husband and I came up to Brandon to explore the area. We loved The house and the property! It was very comfortable and beautiful spot on the river. The boat house was a lovely place to sit and watch the river. Our 8 year old Beagle had a wonderful time exploring the grounds! We will recommend this beautiful place. Our host Kris had everything ready for us, even after a hurricane. It was perfect! Allison
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kat H.

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

Perfect getaway for nature enthusiasts!

We love the outdoors. So do our kids and pups. This place was the PERFECT getaway. The luxuries of home coupled with the beautiful closeness of nature. The Ichetucknee spring run is a five minute paddle from the dock. The water at the dock and river is crystal clear. The second day of our trip we decided to try to paddle/kayak the entire spring run. It’s 6 miles one way and SO WORTH THE TRIP! We loved relaxing under the beautiful trees. The kids were fishing around the clock. We did lots of snorkeling and went to the springs to go tubing! We highly recommend this and to bring your own tube. We went on a Thursday and it wasn’t busy at all! We can’t wait to book another trip to the confluence cabin for next summer. This just might be our new summer go to from now on!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time enjoying the beautiful water & springs. The house was clean & provided just about everything You could need. Small grocery store not far from the property to stock up on provisions. The property & small "beach" was absolutely perfect for the dogs too!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heidi P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location. Easy access to float the Ichetucknee river or enjoy swimming off the dock in the Santa Fe river. The house was very cozy and the teen boys loved having their own space downstairs. Host was very quick to respond. We will definitely book again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kaylie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
LOVELY!! Everything about the cabin was perfect. The property was clean and well managed. We loved sitting outside and watching the wildlife.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tim W.

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

Family Vacation 2025

We enjoyed staying right on the river, and the location is close to several local springs. Evenings were quite with abundant wildlife viewing from porch. Property offers the use of kayaks and paddle boards. My sons especially enjoyed kayaking the Ichetucknee from the North entrance all the way to the cabin dock
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Courtney K.

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

Lovely spot on the Santa Fe

This was our second time staying at Melissa’s place and it was just was wonderful this time as it was last time! The house is clean and has all the items you need to enjoy your stay (all kitchen items possible, floats, plenty of towels, etc.) Looking forward to our next trip there!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacquelyn M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was an amazing and tranquil stay. The place was beautiful and had everything we needed. Be sure and utilize the kayaks and float down the gorgeous Ichetucknee!! We had a blast!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

About the host

Hosted by Melissa Engdahl

Host profile image
We love being at the river and owning the cabin is a dream come true for our family.

Why they chose this property

We love walking and biking down the dirt roads under the canopy of oaks and the sound of our dog and kids running down the dock. Our family is joyful at the cabin. The property settles my soul and puts me into complete relax mode. It is so fun and exhilarating to jump in the river. Grilling breakfast, lunch and dinner outside and enjoying the incredible views never gets old.

What makes this property unique

It's 2 acres of beautiful trees and water views. The cabin has multiple docks and is across the highway from the tube launch at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Incredible location. You can tube for up to 4 hours right to our private dock.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests