Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river
River Life Paradise Cottage. East Bay Township Short Term Rental License Number: EBT-STR003162 Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River • Near Traverse City • Hot Tub • Pet Friendly
Welcome to River Life Paradise, a cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage nestled on 18 private wooded acres with more than 2,600 feet of direct Boardman River frontage, just 10 miles from downtown Traverse City. This is the perfect place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the best of Northern Michigan. Relax in the private year-round hot tub, gather around the fire pit, explore the private hiking trails, or step down to the river for fishing, swimming, paddling, and wildlife watching. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an outdoor adventure, River Life Paradise offers the rare combination of peaceful privacy and convenient access to Traverse City and the area's many attractions. 🏡 The Cottage 2 bedrooms — sleeps up to 6 1 full bathroom Comfortable open-concept living and dining area Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher On-site laundry facility available during the spring, summer, and fall seasons (laundry facilities are not located inside the cottage) Central heat Mini-split A/C High-speed WiFi Internet TV with access to streaming services including Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Parking for multiple vehicles 🌲 Your Private Outdoor Retreat The real attraction is just outside your door. Private year-round hot tub overlooking the river Large outdoor patio Fire pit for evening campfires BBQ grill and patio dining table Private hiking trail winding through the woods Extensive Boardman River frontage River access for swimming, fishing, paddling, and enjoying the scenery Excellent opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing Mushroom hunting and nature exploration The cottage is surrounded by woods and river, giving you plenty of space and privacy while still being only a short drive from Traverse City. 🎣 Fishing, Paddling & Outdoor Adventures The Boardman River is a destination in itself. The river is well known for blue-ribbon trout fishing, including Brown and Brook Trout, as well as swimming, paddling, tubing, and wildlife viewing. Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing are popular activities on the river, with local equipment rental options available in the area. Other nearby outdoor adventures include: ATV and snowmobile trails approximately 1/4 mile away Brown Bridge Quiet Area hiking trails Horseback riding and other activities at Ranch Rudolph Mountain biking and paddle boarding Golf at nearby championship courses Winter snowshoeing, skiing, and ice fishing 🐾 Dog Friendly Up to two dogs are welcome per stay. A one-time $85 pet fee covers up to two dogs for the entire stay. Guests bringing dogs must disclose the pets at the time of booking by selecting the pet option when making the reservation. With 18 acres of woods, private trails, and riverfront surroundings, River Life Paradise is a wonderful place to enjoy a getaway with your four-legged family members. 🍷 Explore Traverse City & Northern Michigan River Life Paradise is located approximately 10 miles from downtown Traverse City, putting you close to some of Northern Michigan's best dining, wineries, breweries, beaches, shopping, and entertainment. 🍷 Wineries & Breweries Explore the scenic wine trails of: Old Mission Peninsula Leelanau Peninsula Local craft breweries and cideries, including Right Brain Brewery, The Workshop Brewing Company, and Hop Lot 🍽 Dining & Shopping Enjoy everything from casual local favorites to fine dining, including: Trattoria Stella The Cook's House Boathouse Restaurant Downtown Traverse City offers boutique shopping, galleries, restaurants, breweries, and live music. 🏖 Beaches & Parks Spend the day exploring Northern Michigan's beautiful beaches and parks: Clinch Park Beach Traverse City State Park Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Scenic Lake Michigan beaches and shoreline 🎉 Events & Seasonal Activities There's something happening in Northern Michigan throughout the year: National Cherry Festival Traverse City Film Festival Fall color tours along scenic M-22 Winter skiing and snowshoeing Ice fishing Snowmobiling Holiday and seasonal events throughout the Traverse City area Crystal Mountain is approximately 40 minutes away for downhill skiing and other winter activities. ⭐ Amenities at a Glance 🛁 Private year-round hot tub 🍳 Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher 🧺 On-site laundry facility — spring, summer & fall only; not located inside the cottage ❄️ Central heat + mini-split A/C 📶 High-speed WiFi 📺 Streaming/Internet TV 🔥 Fire pit 🍔 BBQ grill 🌲 Private wooded acreage and hiking trails 🎣 Boardman River frontage 🚗 Parking for multiple vehicles 🐕 Pet friendly — up to 2 dogs 💲 $85 one-time pet fee for up to 2 dogs 🐾 Dogs must be disclosed at the time of booking 🌅 Your Pure Michigan Getaway Whether you're casting for trout on the Boardman River, relaxing in the hot tub beneath the stars, enjoying a campfire, hiking through the woods, exploring Traverse City's wineries and restaurants, or spending the day at Sleeping Bear Dunes, River Life Paradise puts you right in the middle of it all — while giving you a peaceful private retreat to come home to. Come relax, explore, and enjoy everything Northern Michigan has to offer. 🗓 Book your stay at River Life Paradise today! Keywords: Traverse City, Boardman River, waterfront cottage, Northern Michigan vacation rental, hot tub, pet friendly, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, wineries, breweries, Cherry Festival, Sleeping Bear Dunes, snowmobiling, cabin rental, VRBO Michigan, Pure Michigan
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Welcome to Serenity Shores! 🌅 Soak in the private hot tub, unwind by the fire pit 🔥, and savor calming lake views. Pet-friendly 🐾 and perfect for recharging, exploring, and making memories.
Smoking inside any buidling will result in removal
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.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number 2021-0011
Property # 1016137vb
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 has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Traverse City
Located in Traverse City, this cottage is near a water park and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at 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.
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 16 min drive
Restaurants
Burger King - 12 min drive
Culver's - 13 min drive
McDonald's - 12 min drive
Peegeo's - 16 min drive
Taco Bell - 12 min drive
Frequently asked questions
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 does it cost to stay at Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river?
As of 24 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river on 30 Nov 2026 start from AU$1,236, 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.
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).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a lovely early fall getaway! We loved being able to bring our dog, and she loved the fenced in backyard. John was a great host and we had all we needed. Nothing beats nightly hot tubing under the stars! We look forward to returning on the future.
The cottage was very very clean! It was perfect for our needs. The fenced backyard was great for our dog, who loved it. The Boardman River ran at the back of the yard, so we saw many kayakers while sitting on the patio. The cottage was in a quiet relaxing location. John was easy to communicate with and provided clear check in and check out instructions, as well as restaurant suggestions. If we return to the area in the future, we would definitely consider staying here again.
It’s a beautiful and very clean property with a well stocked kitchen and a private backyard. The host was extremely responsive and accommodating throughout our stay.
We loved our stay at this cottage! It was the perfect home base for our family of four—close to the beach, a national park, and other local adventures, while still feeling peaceful and relaxing.The hot tub and beautiful river were highlights of our trip, and we appreciated all the thoughtful touches throughout the cottage. The kitchen was well stocked, and details like the ice maker, glass rinser, and a variety of kitchenware made it feel like the hosts had thought of everything.One of our favorite parts of the trip was simply spending time together playing games and relaxing after a day of exploring. We would definitely stay here again!
We had a great time at this location. It was a beautiful place. The cabin was clean and spacious and well equipped. We were able to build a fire by the scenic river and really enjoyed the peaceful location. We will definitely return. A big thanks to John.
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 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.
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 had a very positive experience staying at the cottage. John was so accommodating and an excellent host.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2025
About the host
Hosted by John Jury
John and Agnes have been married since 2002. John grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and Agnes is from Poland and Canada. They have an 11 year old boy. They are avid campers and love nature. They are onsite and there to help you with anything you may need during your stay. They are also very good at just allowing you to enjoy your time without interruptions. Your enjoyment is their utmost goal.
What makes this property unique
Private setting with lots of space and incredible view of the Boardman River. We will make sure your stay is enjoyable and memorable.
Languages:
English, French, Polish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests