Nestled on 18 acres of private property along the Boardman River, River Life Paradise offers a tranquil retreat. Enjoy kayaking or tubing down the river, relax in the year-round hot tub, and unwind by a bonfire pit under starry skies. With a fully equipped kitchen and wireless internet, this cottage provides comfort and convenience.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 683 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Add dates for prices
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 (sleeps up to 6) 1 full bathroom Open floor plan with fully equipped kitchen with washer & dryer on site. Central heat and 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 $85 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,
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
Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available
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.
2 accessible parking spaces
In-room accessibility
No lift (single-level property)
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Wheelchair-accessible van parking
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)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
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 allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
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
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 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
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
Property Registration Number 2021-0011
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Traverse City, this cottage is near a water park and on the waterfront. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and Traverse City Beach. Centre Ice Arena and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or try out other outdoor activities such as sledging and snowmobiling. Visit our Traverse City travel guide
Is Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from Forest Lakes and 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Arbutus Lake. Spider Lake and Rennie Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Loved this property and location! Cozy, private and had everything we need! John was super accommodating as well. We will definitely be back if not for a long term rental in the future.
The host was very helpful and welcoming. Cabin was absolutely amazing. Couldn’t have been a better girls getaway with my friends. Hot tub felt great with the chilly weather. Definitely will be back again in the future for another trip.
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.
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.
We were extremely satisfied with our stay! The place was clean and cute - perfect for a friends reunion/mom getaway weekend. We will definitely be back!
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.
The cottage was perfect to just relax, fish and enjoy the outside hot tub
Or to take day trips to the many interesting places in the area Many trails to walk. All around a beautiful place
My family and I enjoyed our stay. There were plently of indoor and outdoor activites. The river was beautiful and my boys enjoyed fishing. The hot tub was amazing! Would higy recommend!
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