Entire home

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

Riverside holiday home with kitchen and patio

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

Exterior
Room
Room
Bathroom
Bathroom

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Arbutus Lake
  • Place, Spider Lake
  • Place, Traverse City Beach
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Downstairs Master bedroom

1 King Bed

The Loft

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs bedroom

2 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms

Downstairs Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Upstairs Bath

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

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

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, shaded deck, 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

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Please contact us directly to set up events
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Pets

No pets allowed
Personal interview regarding pet required.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking in any building will result in removal

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and return the keys
Please make sure that all dishes, pots, pans, and glasses are clean and put away
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Absolutely no fireworks of any kind

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Please contact us directly to set up events
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 and a deadlock
Property Registration Number 2021-0011

About the area

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and Traverse City Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Centre Ice Arena and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Arbutus Lake - 4 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Spider Lake - 8 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Centre Ice Arena - 13 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Turtle Creek Stadium - 13 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 16 min drive - 18.4 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Culver's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Samsara - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Peegeo's - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spacious Riverfront home. 10 Min to TC but far enough away from it all. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Spacious Riverfront home. 10 Min to TC but far enough away from it all. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spacious Riverfront home. 10 Min to TC but far enough away from it all. ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Spacious Riverfront home. 10 Min to TC but far enough away from it all. located?

This family-friendly Traverse City holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Forest Lakes and 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 84 out of 86 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 86 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 86 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 86 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 86 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay over July 4th weekend. Everything was perfect- the house, the water and entire stay!

We loved our kayak trip down the river. Thank you for being fabulous hosts!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Seth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family vacation

Great location, beautiful property.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dan Wojcik

Wonderful. Ideal for families and right onna beautiful river . Very peaceful and quit. Younger folks enjoyed the kayak float
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Rest and relaxation

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
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Abigail T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Must visit!

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Getaway

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.💕
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendi L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Annual Sibling Trip

"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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Anita M., Holland, MI

the place good for 2 adult 2 children would not be good for three adults .Bed was really hl

Bed was to hot because liner on the bed so I didn't sleep well. THE OWNER WAS VERY NICE IT WAS DOWN BY RIVER SO YOU COULD FISH.WAS A CHEAP AS I THOUGH IT WAS GOING TO BE .
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

alan m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Daughters wedding

Our family stayed here 1 week, it served as a home base the week of our daughters wedding. 6 adults and 2 children. It was perfect. The setting was gorgeous. The house was stocked with everything imaginable. It was private right along the Boardman river. The owner supplied 2 kayaks and took 2 of our kids up river for a 4 hour kayak trip one morning. Free of charge. They kayaked back and ended up at the property. Thank you. Only about 10 minutes from Traverse City. If you're looking for a quiet, peaceful setting with a above accommodating host, this is it. Thank you John!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot to enjoy the outdoors. Lots of stuff to do in the area. Host communicated well.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristen P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

TheIcedLatte

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joshua S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dusty B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sara W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property

Convenient location and amenities, gorgeous view, and super relaxing surroundings!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property, well maintained and excellent accommodations from John. I highly recommend stay at this property!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chase B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great time, cabin was perfect was nice having the river right in the back. JOHN was a great host very accommodating. Would recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely location

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Riverfront stay

Very nice home feet away from the river. Was perfect for my husband participating in the Fly Fishing School.
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quick family stay

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience!

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!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Debra L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

2nd stay at this great Property!

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

About the host

Hosted by John Jury

Host profile image
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 a 17 year old son. They are avid campers and love nature. John owns and or co owns and operates 4 different rental properties and continues to grow rental offerings focusing on river front recreational properties.

Languages:

English, French, Polish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests