Spacious Riverfront home. 10 Min to TC but far enough away from it all.

Traverse City, Michigan
$0 avg/night
Bed 3

Bed

Bath 2

Bath

Home Private Vacation Home

Property Type

Sleep 8

Max Sleeps

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

River Life Paradise – Spacious Riverfront Home Near Traverse City | 2BR + Loft, Sleeps 8 | Pet Friendly | Kayaking, Fishing & More
Welcome to River Life Paradise, your peaceful retreat nestled along the beautiful Boardman River, just 10 miles outside of Traverse City, Michigan. This spacious 2,000 sq ft home offers room to relax, reconnect, and recharge with direct river frontage, a screened-in porch, shadeddeck, and large private yard—perfect for families, groups, or couples looking for a nature-filled escape with modern comforts.
Surrounded by towering trees and the sounds of flowing water, you’ll feel like you’re deep in the woods—but you’re just a short drive to the best of Traverse City’s dining, wineries, beaches, and shops.
Property Overview
2 Bedrooms + Loft | 2 Full Bathrooms
Sleeps up to 8 guests
Downstairs master: King bed
Upstairs bedroom: 2 Queen beds
Loft area: 1 Queen bed
Open-concept layout with full kitchen (no dishwasher)
Large dining area and cozy living room with river views
6–8 person sectional sofa
Laundry room with washer & dryer
Outdoor Features
Screened-in porch and shaded deck
Large front and back yards – great for games, grilling, or relaxing
Just feet from the banks of the Boardman River
Bonfire pit, BBQ grill, and picnic table
On-site private hiking trail through woods and natural areas
Crystal-clear river access for kayaking, tubing, and swimming

On-Site Activities & Nature
Kayaking, canoeing & tubing on the Boardman River (equipment available upon request)
Blue Ribbon trout fishing – renowned for Brown and Brook trout
Swimming & rock hunting in cool, clear waters
Wildlife watching: Bald eagles, deer, beavers, otters, hawks, owls, and more
Birding & mushroom hunting in the surrounding forest
Painting & photography opportunities with every sunrise and sunset
Explore Traverse City – Just 10 Miles Away
River Life Paradise offers peace and privacy with quick access to everything Traverse City has to offer. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure, culinary delights, or seasonal festivals, it’s all just a short drive away:
Wineries & Breweries
Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail – scenic tasting rooms with lake views
Leelanau Peninsula wineries
Local breweries: Right Brain Brewery, Hop Lot Brewing Co., Rare Bird Brewpub
Beaches & Parks
Clinch Park Beach in downtown TC
Traverse City State Park – perfect for picnics and swimming
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – hike the dunes or cruise scenic M-22
Dining & Shopping
Farm-to-table restaurants like The Cook’s House, Trattoria Stella, and Boathouse
Downtown Traverse City for boutique shopping, art galleries, and cherry treats
Events & Seasonal Fun
National Cherry Festival (July)
Traverse City Film Festival
Fall color tours, pumpkin patches, and harvest festivals
Winter activities: skiing at Crystal Mountain, snowmobiling, and ice fishing
‍♀️ Outdoor Recreation
ATV & snowmobile trails just 1/4 mile from the house
Horseback riding at Ranch Rudolph
Nearby trails for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing
✅ Home Amenities
Air Conditioning / Radiant Heat
High-Speed Wireless Internet
Internet TV (Hulu, Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime)
Fire pit + BBQ grill
Washer/Dryer
Fully stocked kitchen (no dishwasher)
Plenty of on-site parking
Whether you’re fly fishing at dawn, paddling down the river, stargazing by the fire pit, or sipping local wine after a beach day, River Life Paradise offers a true taste of Pure Michigan. Relax in comfort, surrounded by the sounds and sights of the wild—then venture into Traverse City for unforgettable experiences.
Reserve your stay today—dates book fast, especially in peak seasons!
Keywords: Traverse City Vacation Rental, Boardman River Home, Waterfront, Blue Ribbon Trout Stream, Pet Friendly, Family Friendly, Hot Tub Nearby, Kayaking, Fishing, Wine Trail, Cherry Festival, Hiking, Snowmobiling, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pure Michigan

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  • Feature Features
  • Map Map
  • School District Availability
  • Review Review

Feature Features

  • SKI

    Snowboarding And Cross-country Skiing Nearby
  • PETS

    No Pets Allowed
  • SAFETY

    Carbon Monoxide Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Carbon Monoxide Detector On The Property) Deadbolt Lock Fire Extinguisher Smoke Detector Installed (host Has Indicated There Is A Smoke Detector On The Property)
  • BEDROOM

    3 Bedrooms Bed Sheets Provided
  • GENERAL

    Unit Size: 2400 Sq Ft (223 Sq M)
  • KITCHEN

    Coffee Grinder Coffee/tea Maker Cookware/dishes/utensils Microwave Oven Refrigerator Spices Stovetop Toaster
  • LAUNDRY

    Laundry Facilities Near Laundromat Washing Machine And Dryer
  • PARKING

    Onsite Parking
  • INTERNET

    WiFi Available
  • OUTDOORS

    Barbecue Grill Firepit Garden Patio
  • POOL/SPA

    Massages
  • BATHROOMS

    2 Bathrooms Bathtub Or Shower Hair Dryer Soap Toilet Paper Towels Provided
  • LANGS SPOKEN

    English French Polish
  • THINGS TO DO

    Casino Nearby Fitness Facilities Nearby Golf Nearby Horse Riding Nearby Ice Skating Nearby Kayak On Site Marina Nearby Sailing Nearby Swimming Nearby Water Park Nearby Wildlife And Game Walks Nearby
  • ENTERTAINMENT

    Arcade/game Room Books DVD Player Games Stereo Smart TV
  • LIVING SPACES

    Fireplace Living Room Wood Stove
  • CLIMATE CONTROL

    Air Conditioning Heating
  • FAMILY FRIENDLY

    Children's Dinnerware Children's Games
  • LOCATION HIGHLIGHTS

    In A Rural Location Near A Health Or Beauty Spa Near A Hospital Near The Bay On The River On The Waterfront
  • SERVICES AND CONVENIENCES

    Chef Concierge Services Iron/ironing Board Safe
  • SUITABILITY/ACCESSIBILITY

    If You Have Requests For Specific Accessibility Needs, Please Contact The Property Using The Information On The Reservation Confirmation Received After Booking. No Elevator (single Level Property) Note From Host: Smoking In Any Building Will Result In Removal Smoke-free Property Wheelchair Accessible

CheckIn Check-in : 04:00 PM CheckOut Check-out : 10:00 AM
No Wheelchair No smoking No pets Children allowed
Occupancy Max occupancy : 8

Map Map

School District Availability

Review Review

  • John N.

    Submitted Sep 2, 2025

    Stayed Aug 28, 2025

    This is a wonderful home situated on the beautiful Boardman RIver. Enjoy all the Grand Traverse region, return to dip your toes in the river, and prepare a home cooked meal in the well stocked kitchen. Our family loved every minute! We would return in a heartbeat. Thank you for sharing.

  • John O.

    Submitted Sep 1, 2025

    Stayed Aug 13, 2025

    Great spot to enjoy the outdoors. Lots of stuff to do in the area. Host communicated well.

  • Kristen P.

    Submitted Aug 26, 2025

    Stayed Aug 20, 2025

    This property is everything! We enjoyed being close to the city while enjoying the privacy and quietness of the property. The house had everything we needed and more! We will definitely be back.

  • TheIcedLatte

    Submitted Aug 11, 2025

    Stayed Aug 8, 2025

    Very beautiful home! The temperature inside was perfect, the TV and sound system was amazing, and the creek was beautiful. Id love to stay here again.

  • Submitted Aug 11, 2025

    Stayed Aug 3, 2025

    We had a great time. The location along the river ensured fun activities and there were lots of spaces inside and out to sit with family and visit. We would love to stay again next time we visit Traverse City.

  • Amy W.

    Submitted Aug 2, 2025

    Stayed Jul 29, 2025

    John and his wife were terrific. They helped us get to a kayak destination and offered advice about the Boardman River. House had everything in the kitchen that we needed.Communication was great. Beautiful place.

  • Joshua S.

    Submitted Jul 28, 2025

    Stayed Jul 25, 2025

    This house has everything you need for a week away. The location to Traverse city is great, the house is fully stocked with everything you might have forgotten and sitting by the river is unmatched. Would give them more stars if I could. Will definitely be back.

  • Dusty B.

    Submitted Jul 24, 2025

    Stayed Jul 20, 2025

    We had an absolutely amazing time at Riverside House! Hosts are wonderful, location is perfect, the house and property are beautiful and SO well stocked. We could not have asked for anything more. John gave us great suggestions to make our trips into the city even better and our kayak trip was the perfect ending. Thank you for sharing your space with us. We will be back!

  • Sara W.

    Submitted Jul 20, 2025

    Stayed Jul 11, 2025

    Convenient location and amenities, gorgeous view, and super relaxing surroundings!

  • Submitted Jul 20, 2025

    Stayed Jul 16, 2025

    Beautiful property, well maintained and excellent accommodations from John. I highly recommend stay at this property!

  • Chase B.

    Submitted Jul 13, 2025

    Stayed Jun 26, 2025

    Great time, cabin was perfect was nice having the river right in the back. JOHN was a great host very accommodating. Would recommend!

  • Susan C.

    Submitted Jul 6, 2025

    Stayed Jul 3, 2025

    We loved our kayak trip down the river. Thank you for being fabulous hosts!

  • Lisa W.

    Submitted Jul 4, 2025

    Stayed Jun 30, 2025

    This is a waterfront property close to Traverse City. It is a beautiful lot and the river running by makes it very peaceful. The interior space was very comfortable for us. The owner was helpful and quickly fixed the small issue that we had. We would definitely stay here again!

  • Lisa S.

    Submitted Jun 29, 2025

    Stayed Jun 6, 2025

    Very nice home feet away from the river. Was perfect for my husband participating in the Fly Fishing School.

  • Kim H.

    Submitted Jun 29, 2025

    Stayed Jun 23, 2025

    Although we had a few issues, they were quickly addressed. The river location was very cool and it was fun to get into the river. Frequent and quick communication with the host which was appreciated. Easy spot for getting to area locations easily.

  • Robert L.

    Submitted Jun 22, 2025

    Stayed Jun 20, 2025

    The location was great and not too far from Traverse City and what we planned to do. We came up for a friend’s bachelor trip and the house gave all 8 of us a comfortable stay. Would definitely recommend this spot!

  • Sally P.

    Submitted Sep 21, 2024

    Stayed Sep 4, 2024

    The location was awesome. Beautiful being on the river. Host was very helpful and made our kayaking experience fun. We enjoyed fishing even without success. Beds were comfy, may need new pillows on some. Very interesting furnishings. A bit of a museum, which we enjoyed. Could use a minimizing of things, but we loved the space and would definitely do it again. A lot of history here.?

  • Dan W.

    Submitted Sep 2, 2024

    Stayed Aug 29, 2024

    Wonderful. Ideal for families and right onna beautiful river . Very peaceful and quit. Younger folks enjoyed the kayak float

  • Debra L.

    Submitted Aug 30, 2024

    Stayed Aug 15, 2024

    We were so happy to return to this beautiful river house. The location right on the river is so close you can hear the river rushing. The house is so well stocked and the beds are really comfortable. John our host is a terrific person and so easy to communicate with. and so helpful. There are great trails for hiking close by and the river is great for Kayaking. Can't wait to return!

  • Marygail M.

    Submitted Aug 25, 2024

    Stayed Aug 20, 2024

    Excellent place to stay. Lodging well maintained and location close to many great places to explore. Use of kayaks a plus!

  • Abigail T.

    Submitted Aug 17, 2024

    Stayed Aug 9, 2024

    We stayed at John’s for my bachelorette weekend. I wanted something more laid back and in nature. John’s place is absolutely amazing! The location, the river, and house are just to die for. I can’t wait to venture back. The house has everything you could need, we didn’t cook but there was every amenity you could think of. We will definitely be back!

  • Katie S.

    Submitted Aug 7, 2024

    Stayed Aug 1, 2024

    This place was accommodating and had enough space for teenagers to be separate from adults. The owners were very friendly and made the stay easy! Plenty of towels and kitchen utensils. Hoping yo stay again next year!

  • Sharon H.

    Submitted Jul 30, 2024

    Stayed Jul 26, 2024

    This is a great property! We were very satisfied with the accommodations for our group of 5, the cleanliness of the home and all of the amenities provided. Relaxing outside by the river was so peaceful. We hope to return again. Thanks for sharing with us!

  • Susan B.

    Submitted Jul 29, 2024

    Stayed Jul 23, 2024

    My children and grandchildren thoroughly enjoyed this location on the river. Not only could they play and fish but the host took several of the grandkids 3 hour up the river and let them use his kayaks to paddle back to the house. Wenjoyed the

  • Wendi L.

    Submitted Jul 24, 2024

    Stayed Jul 10, 2024

    FABULOUS sums it up! What a great time we had staying at this property. The home accommodated the seven of us perfectly. The beds were very comfortable. The outdoor space was beautiful. John, the property owner, was easy to work with and responded to questions promptly. He arranged for us to kayak which was much appreciated. We left our trip with plans to return. By far this was the best VRBO experience we've had. Thank you, John, for making our stay a memorable one. Cheers!

  • Barbara S.

    Submitted Jul 12, 2024

    Stayed Jun 30, 2024

    This home is very comfortable and clean. Beautiful scenery with the trees and running stream. So many great hiking trails. The owner (John) is super friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay here again.

  • Seth P.

    Submitted Jun 30, 2024

    Stayed Jun 26, 2024

    Great location, beautiful property.

Your dates are Available!

Total

Includes taxes and fees