See all properties
Entire home·Private host

Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Outdoor dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 683 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View in a map
Traverse City, MI
  • Arbutus Lake
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Spider Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Traverse City Beach
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

Interior

Secluded Boardman River home with a HOT TUB, Smart TV, Kyaks. Dogs ok

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 132 reviews
Secluded Boardman River home with a HOT TUB, Smart TV, Kyaks. Dogs ok

About this property

Entire place

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

Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river

East Bay Township Short Term Rental License Number: EBT-STR003162

Welcome to River Life Paradise, a cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage tucked into 18 acres of private forested land with 2,600+ feet of direct frontage on the Boardman River — just 10 miles from downtown Traverse City. Enjoy a relaxing getaway surrounded by nature with a year-round hot tub, outdoor patio, fire pit, hiking trails, and access to world-class fishing and paddling right outside your door.
Perfect for couples, families, or outdoor enthusiasts, this home offers the best of both worlds: peaceful seclusion and easy access to Northern Michigan’s top destinations.
🛏 Property Details:
2 bedrooms + sleeper sofa (sleeps up to 6)
1 full bathroom
Open floor plan with fully equipped kitchen
with washer & dryer on site.
Central heat Mini Split A/C
High-speed WiFi + Internet TV (Hulu, Netflix, Amazon)
🌲 Outdoor Features:
Private hot tub (open all year)
Large patio overlooking the Boardman River
Bonfire pit, BBQ grill, and patio table
On-site hiking trail through peaceful woods
50 feet from the riverbank for swimming, paddling & fishing
🎣 Activities On-Site & Nearby:
Kayaking, tubing & canoeing (equipment available upon request)
Blue Ribbon trout fishing (Brown & Brook trout)
Swimming in the crystal-clear Boardman River
Bird watching, mushroom hunting & wildlife viewing
Access to ATV & snowmobile trails (1/4 mile away)
Just minutes from Brown Bridge Quiet Area hiking trails
Ranch Rudolph (horseback riding, snowmobile rentals & dining)
🐾 Pet Friendly
We welcome up to 2 dogs for a one-time $75 pet fee. With acres of trails and river access, your pets will love the stay as much as you do.
🧭 Explore the Traverse City Area
Located just 10 miles from your cottage door, Traverse City is one of Michigan’s most popular destinations, known for its natural beauty, food scene, and vibrant events. Make the most of your trip with these local activities:
🍷 Wineries & Breweries
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail – scenic drive + award-winning tastings
Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail
Dozens of local craft breweries & cideries including Right Brain Brewery, The Workshop Brewing Company, and Hop Lot
🍽 Dining & Shopping
Local favorites: Trattoria Stella, The Cook’s House, and Boathouse Restaurant
Eclectic downtown with boutique shopping, art galleries, and live music
🏖 Beaches & Parks
Clinch Park Beach (downtown)
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – hike the dunes or take in the lake views
Traverse City State Park – sandy beach, picnicking, and paved trails
🎉 Events & Seasonal Activities
National Cherry Festival (July)
Traverse City Film Festival (summer)
Fall Color Tours on scenic M-22
Winter fun: snowshoeing, skiing at Crystal Mountain (40 mins), and ice fishing
⛳ Golf & Recreation
Championship golf courses nearby including The Bear at Grand Traverse Resort
Mountain biking, paddle boarding, sailing, and more
✅ Amenities:
Hot Tub
Full Kitchen w/ Dishwasher
Washer & Dryer
Central Air & Heat
High-Speed WiFi + Streaming TV
Patio + Fire Pit + BBQ Grill
Private Trails
Parking for Multiple Vehicles
Whether you're casting a line into the river, sipping wine along the peninsula, stargazing from the hot tub, or exploring the dunes and beaches of Lake Michigan, River Life Paradise is your gateway to a perfect Pure Michigan experience.
🗓 Book your stay today – dates fill quickly, especially in peak seasons!
Keywords: Traverse City, Boardman River, Cottage Rental, Hot Tub, Pet Friendly, Waterfront, Kayaking, Fishing, Hiking, Wine Tasting, Cherry Festival, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Northern Michigan Getaway, VRBO Michigan, Snowmobiling, Cabin River Life Paradise – Waterfront Cottage Near Traverse City with Hot Tub, Pet Friendly,
Our customers tell us they can't get enough of this cottage's great location. During your stay, you'll be close to Arbutus Lake. Enjoy features like a hot tub, concierge services, and laundry facilities. Free WiFi and a kitchen are available in the cottage.
  • Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washing machine, and fireplace
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities and a car charging station
  • Guests have great things to say about the location and the helpful staff
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Forest Lakes and 6 minutes from Arbutus Lake
This cottage offers its guests a hot tub, barbecue grills, and a garden. This cottage also features concierge services and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Traverse City cottage is smoke free.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Chef service
  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

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

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • In-room accessibility
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking inside any buidling will result in removal

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Bicycles
  • Kayak
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Canoeing nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Bicycles
  • Electric car charging station
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 890 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights
Clean all dishes, pots pans, and glasses and place back in cabinets where found
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: Please email or call owner to discuss your pets.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Kids have a blast here!!

Events

Events allowed
Please contact prior to booking!!

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking inside any buidling will result in removal

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 are allowed on site
Note from host: Please contact prior to booking!!
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.
Property Registration Number 2021-0011

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Boardman River Cottage 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Steps Away Banks River
Boardman River Cottage 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Steps Away Banks River
Boardman River 2 Bedroom 1 Bath Steps Away Banks River

Reviews

Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 218 out of 225 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 225 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 225 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 225 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 225 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Andrea T., St. Johns, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent experience! Beautiful property. Super friendly & helpful hosts.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monica K.

Liked: Cleanliness
We enjoyed our stay! The house was clean, the location was near many places (drive in, sleeping bear sand dunes, grocery, downtown tc) the backyard was nice & fenced in with the river a few feet away and the communication with management was great. It is on community shared property which turned out to be fine!We had a wonderful time!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Kathleen P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely yard and view of river, unfortunately the shoreline has eroded and it was a steep drop to actually get into the river. The cabin was very clean with plenty of towels, toilet paper, etc. The queen size bed described in the listing is actually only full size and rather uncomfortable as you can feel the springs beginning to pop through in certain areas. There is also the same problem with the springs on both lower bunk beds. There was no handle on the refrigerator and the microwave door was cracked. The kitchen is stocked with plenty of dishes, cups, silverware, etc. and has plenty of counter space. Unfortunately the only place to eat indoors requires climbing up on tall bar stools at the counter which is somewhat difficult for we senior citizens. My husband and grandson were looking forward to the fishing in the river but sadly we must have come at the wrong time of year because they never got so much as a nibble and never even saw a fish. Luckily there are other fishing locations nearby where they had much better luck! This cabin is very close to the main Traverse City area and there are many good restaurants if you don’t have the urge to cook during your vacation.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dennis S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Really nice two bedroom cottage just a few steps from the Boardman River. Comfortable sitting areas, both inside and out. Kitchen was fully equipped and functional. Main bedroom was nice sized and comfortable. We had a delightful time.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicole T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Super easy check-in. All kitchen utilities included.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a wonderful stay at the boardman river cottage. Everything was exactly as pictured and John provided all the details needed for our stay. Location was perfect right on the river and our boys enjoyed fishing everyday. We would love to come back and stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
John is very helpful and congenial. He is Avery kind person!
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sandy H.

Liked: Cleanliness

peaceful, dog-friendly river cottage

the cottage was beautifully updated and clean. Host attention to detail was impeccable (all supplies for both guests and dg were ample). We were grateful for the secure riverfront area for our dog. Host was extremely easy to access with questions.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas trip

We got a weekend away for our daughter and her future husband for Christmas. They loved it! Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

kim s.

Liked: Cleanliness

Girls weekend

We had so much looking forward to staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barb K., Holland, MI

Liked: Cleanliness

Great property! Right on the Boardman River

We spent a week at the property and loved it! It’s quiet, peaceful, fully stocked and 50 feet from the Boardman River. We took advantage of the hot tub every night. The bbq grill was great and the fire pit was a welcome feature. The Brown Bridge Quiet Area trails are only a few miles away. Beautiful place to hike.
Right on the river
Tall pines in front of cottage
Back of cottage
Flowers growing next to the river
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very Positive Stay

We had a very positive experience staying at the cottage. John was so accommodating and an excellent host.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa S., FREELAND

Liked: Cleanliness

Peaceful and Relaxing

Our mom and daughter’s trip was everything we hoped it would be! We loved hanging out in the hot tub and enjoyed sitting around the bon fire listening to the river. The home was cozy and had all the amenities needed to enjoy our stay. John was friendly and even brought us some dry wood. Our furry baby had a blast zipping around the fenced in yard. We would love to return! It was a wonderful trip!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caterina T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Getaway

We had a great stay! The place was clean, hot tub was nice to relax in. The location was near by great restaurants and some public lakes we tried out. We will definitely be back in the summer time.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rick C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Spring Break up North

Great place and Great stay. Very cozy.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alli V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Girls Weekend - Year 2

This is our 2nd year in a row staying here for our girls weekend. It’s just perfect. We have so much fun. Laugh, play games, hang out, unwind. We will be back next year, again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Richard S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Birthday weekend getaway

Great location, beautiful cabin, everything you could ask for. Sat in hottub while it was snowing, great experience. The complimentary bottle of wine was a great addition. Loved the privacy. The hosts were very easy to communicate with and very prompt. Will definitely be coming back
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Private, quiet, serene….

Everything you need to relax and get away! 3 night stay in Feb right on the river with hot tub and cozy accommodations. Host John was cordial and friendly. Thank you for sharing your place and providing every amenity needed. Close to TC and wineries. We’d love to come back to enjoy grilling out, campfires and kayaking on the river.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donald B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic Get Away

5 days of peace and quiet. It was the perfect escape from the city. A lot of beautiful snow, a river flowing 50 feet from our back door, and a well-placed hot tub to enjoy both the river and then the stars at night, all in privacy. It was also a bonus to be able to bring our dogs with us. We thoroughly enjoyed every part of our stay, and would definitely go back.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katherine S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very satisfied

Clean and quiet and the owner was very responsive. Would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas getaway

Cottage was peaceful and cozy! Really enjoyed the river view and hot tub! John was easy to get a hold of and a wonderful host!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jack P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Site

Being right on the Boardman River, this is a great spot to catch your breath and enjoy the peace and quiet. The house is well-appointed and clean, and the hosts are great. Looking forward to staying again and going after some trout.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Weekend Getaway

Highly recommend! Great location, great house and great management. Perfect spot for a weekend recharge!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Steve P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Betsy bliss

Spent a weekend with my wife. Place was clean and well maintained. Quiet peaceful setting on the river
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennie M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing Anniversary Getaway

This is our very 1st time with VRBO and at this property and we couldn’t be more pleased. It was an absolutely amazing time. Everything we could possibly need was available and pristine! This rental will be saved for future use and hopefully there will be a spot for us in the summer 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024