Cottage in Michigan
6 guests · 2 bedrooms · 1 bath
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones
High-end valueWell priced for this area
About this cottage rental
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
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
Amenities at Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river
Non-smoking
Pets allowed
Map of Michigan
Ratings and reviews
10 / 10Outstanding·Jul 2026
Room was clean, host was easy to work with, kitchen was clean, hot tub has some debris in it
10 / 10Outstanding·Jun 2026
Fantastic cottage, very clean, all of the amenities you’d need and even things you might not have considered (e.g., light condiments). We enjoyed our time here and the hosts were great communicators and thought of every detail!
10 / 10Outstanding·Jun 2026
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!
6 / 10Average·Oct 2025
The good: - We enjoyed using the hot tub at night while looking at the stars.- It was relaxing to sit in the chairs in the backyard in the late afternoon/early evening and watch the river go by.The not-so-good:- This property appears to be part of some kind of “compound”, consisting of multiple rentals. There is an RV/camper right outside the front of this property, plus another property (or 2?) just on the other side of this RV. The host lives or stays in the property just downstream from the rental. However, we didn’t see too many other people, but I think I would feel cramped in the summer when all properties are occupied.- The bed is a double, NOT a queen, as stated in the property listing. (We measured it.) If I had known this before booking, I wouldn’t have booked this property. My partner and I had to sleep in separate bedrooms. Major bummer.- The bathroom has only a single, dim light, on the ceiling. When you stand at the sink in front of the mirror, you block that dim light, causing the mirror to be basically useless.- We found cookware with burnt-on gunk that we had to scrub before use. We also found a greasy baking sheet with baked-on crumbs which we mentioned to the host so that the next renters would not have to deal with this.- The heating/cooling unit on the wall by the kitchen was very noisy. I think it’s primarily for cooling, so we just turned it off.- While the bathroom floor is a cool idea, the embedded river stone is not easy on the feet.
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Top rated by guests
9.9Outstanding
(249 Ratings)
"Room was clean, host was easy to work with, kitchen was clean, hot tub has some debris in it"
Jaiden M.Don't miss out! Price and availability may change
