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Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River

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An outdoor deck with wooden flooring, a glass-top table, and several chairs. - Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River (Traverse City)
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a dining table, and a ceiling fan. - Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River (Traverse City)
A modern living room with a sectional sofa, a flat-screen TV, a white entertainment unit, and a large window. - Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River (Traverse City)
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a stainless steel dishwasher, and a coffee maker. - Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River (Traverse City)
A two-story house with a gabled roof, a chimney, and a front porch with steps. - Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River (Traverse City)
You can look forward to a firepit, a garden and laundry facilities at Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

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About this property

Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River

  • Enjoy rural Traverse City's outdoor haven with this riverfront non-smoking home situated directly on the Boardman River just 15-20 minutes south of downtown Traverse City. Hop in the river and kayak or float the spring-fed Boardman River! This home is only minutes away from off-roading in Chums Corner and is a short drive to winery trails up the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. Visit Traverse City's bustling downtown area that is home to many restaurants, charter boat companies, and TART trails. Take a drive northwest to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes for a day. This home is far enough away from the city to enjoy peace and quiet at the fire pit right next to the river or lounge on the new 600 square foot back porch, but plenty close enough to enjoy what Traverse City has to offer! Home is equipped with central heating and air conditioning! This property is about 45 minutes away from Crystal Mountain, one hour away from Caberfae Peaks, and 1.5 hours away from Boyne Mountain. For snowmobilers, this home offers a close place to stay being only 5-10 minutes away from Mayfield's snowmobile trailhead! Outfitted with central heating and air conditioning. This home is not wheelchair accessible - there are stairs to the entry door and narrow halls and doors inside, as well as stairs to the second floor. NO PETS ALLOWED. NO SMOKING ALLOWED. THERE WILL BE A $500.00 ADDITIONAL CHARGE IF PETS COME TO PROPERTY.

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  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
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About the area

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. Centre Ice Arena and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as sledging and snowmobiling. Visit our Traverse City travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Traverse City
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • A lake surrounded by dense forest with a boat docked near the shore.
    Spider Lake
    11 min drive - 7.9 miles
  • Forest Lakes
    7 min drive - 5.2 miles
  • Arbutus Lake
    8 min drive - 5.9 miles
  • Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve
    9 min drive - 5.8 miles
  • Grand Traverse Mall
    13 min drive - 8.3 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • Culver's
    10 min drive
  • Starbucks
    15 min drive
  • Burger King
    10 min drive
  • McDonald's
    9 min drive
  • Burger King
    15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Forest Lakes, Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve and Turtle Creek Stadium. Arbutus Lake and Centre Ice Arena are also within 9 miles (15 km).

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Reviews

Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River Reviews

10

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.8

Location
Rating 10 - Excellent. 107 out of 109 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 109 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 109 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 109 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 109 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING! My group and I agreed this is the best rental property we have ever stayed in. Amenities are great. The property is beautiful and in a great location. Heather is a super kind and communicative host, even helping one of my friends reunite with her books after we checked out. If I travel up north again with a big group, I will book here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean , wonderful patio and amenities A short drive to Traverse city
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing property, very thoughtful and accommodating hosts! Everything was super clean and well stocked!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent location!

We loved this location! Close to everything and the host was quick to respond and so helpful!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great relaxing oasis

Loved the outdoor space right by the river.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A wonderful place to stay

This place was great! The house was well kept and very accommodating. The atmosphere was wonderful, secluded on the Boardman River while still close to all the destinations in Traverse City. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

What a wonderful stay!

The house and host were amazing. The house was quietly located on a beautiful river had yard games available and very comfortable and clean inside. The host was friendly helpful and available as needed (but we didn’t need anything).
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Girls Trip Review

This property was perfect for our girls we can get away! It was great to be right by the river. We also went on a wine tour in the bus was able to pick us up at the property. Very clean and equipped with everything we could need during our stay. I would love to use this property again on another trip!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful place to stay! Secluded, quiet, loved the firepit right on the river, beautiful deck. Not far from Traverse City. Heather immediately answered our question about nearby pizza. Allison called us about 2 hrs before check in with some details and to see if we had questions. The kitchen had everything you could need, spacious and comfortable bedrooms, pretty decor and very clean! It was perfect for 6 of us!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Girls Trip

Beautiful home stocked with everything we could possibly need for our girls weekend! The host was so friendly and easy to communicate with, she even connected with me beforehand to ensure a smooth arrival. Would absolutely stay here again and recommend to anyone travelling to Traverse City & area!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The river is enough

The view from sitting down by the river with a fire going made this trip great. The house was clean and the property manager was in good contact the whole time as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Flawless wedding weekend stay

Thank you for providing this amazing home for our family during my daughter’s wedding weekend. Everything from arrival to departure was flawless. This home is absolutely beautiful & equipped with everything we needed and more!! Amazing location & amenities When we come back to TC, we will most definitely book here again. Highly highly recommend!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fabulous house!

Beautiful house just 20 minutes from Traverse City. Very clean, kitchen well stocked, everything labeled and clear directions. New patio and fire pit were a 10. Looking forward to coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful home with everything you need!

We absolutely loved our stay for a girl’s weekend at this beautiful home. Every detail was taken into account, communication was top-notch, impeccably clean, and included everything guests may need down to chip clips and sound machines! The private yard and outdoor area, including the fire pit and large deck with lights and flowers, made it so inviting! Would definitely stay there again and recommend to anyone looking to explore the Traverse City area.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Adorable Cottage

We had an amazing stay at this adorable cottage. Being here allowed family from the West and East coasts to enjoy a little get away together without anyone having to “host”. The home was stocked with everything we needed, it was very clean & had a great patio with lots of fun games to enjoy too. Being on the river was so peaceful and relaxing. Thank you to Allison for being super helpful and kind throughout our time here. We will absolutely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house is a hidden gem! Anything we needed they had. Anything we wanted, they had. The property was beautiful and the house was spotless. It was like home. Everything was clean and warm and inviting. They had puzzles, games, books and netflix. The management even called on the way there to see if there was anything we needed and make sure we had her number in case of an emergency! We are definitely coming back and spending more time next time. One of the best rentals I've ever had! Way to go management! You're killing it!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

An AWESOME place!

My family, which included me and my wife, our two adult sons and daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, had such a great time together and this home was the perfect place for all of us to hang out together for the long weekend! We cannot say enough good about our stay at this home on the Boardman River!! Heather and Allison were prompt, thorough, and friendly with all of their communications. This house had everything, with ample amenities, and then some! The location was perfect for day trips but we also had plenty to do and enjoy at the house and on the property! We will definitely stay there again the next time we plan a trip to Traverse City!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fantastic Guy’s Trip Location

Terrific house for longtime college friends to connect and unwind. Backyard direct-access to the Boardman River, fire pit, and super-comfortable back deck were perfect for dining and activities. Our group of 7 guys had plenty of space inside and the kitchen was well-stocked for our big meals. Bedrooms and bathrooms were nice and mattresses were better than typical VRBO’s. We were blessed with beautiful summer weather and spent much of it enjoying the backyard area and exploring Traverse City. If we return to the area, we would certainly rent this home again. Well done!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Sweet and comfy river house--LOVED it!

I booked this house for my 50th birthday celebration with friends after seeing the great photos and stellar reviews. The property manager checked in ahead of our check-in time and I mentioned it was my birthday...and when we arrived we found a cake and balloons! Everything was adorable, nice quality, clean. The kitchen was well-equipped with essentials, snacks, and kitchen tools. Gorgeous (huge) backyard and the prettiest brand-new wraparound deck with brand-new gorgeous deck furniture. The campfire area was fun and beautiful. Location felt remote while being only 5 miles from a major supermarket. I would definitely recommend this house for a group of adults looking for a getaway! Well-maintained and a perfect place to gather in comfort and style. :)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family reunion in Traverse City

We were traveling to Traverse City for a family reunion. The other 10 people going to the reunion were staying in a hotel on Lake Michigan in Traverse City (very expensive I might add). Our group of 8 decided since we had a 3 and 5 year old in our group that a house might work better for us. I found this VRBO that was absolutely PERFECT for my husband and I (grandma & grandpa), my son, daughter-in-law and 2 grandkids, and my daughter and son-in-law. There were plenty of bedrooms for all of us - with room to spare. The spacious yard was nice for the kids to be able to run around in. The river in our backyard was great for the kids to fish in and for us to wade around in to cool off. I could not have chosen a better spot for our group to stay in. It was very clean and the beds were comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped. My grandsons were thrilled with the DVD collection they had to choose from. Heather (the owner) and Allison (the property manager) were very easy to communicate with - answered any questions we had promptly. This property gets a 10 out of 10 for sure!! We would definitely stay here again if we come back to Traverse City.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Well Equipped & would stay again

This home is by far the most well equipped rental we’ve had in vacation rentals. All we really had to bring is food, clothes, and our preferred recreational gear for fun. Alison and Heather are great hosts and were quick to respond to any questions or issues we had. The property was well maintained on a beautiful setting along the river. There was a bookshelf full of games, books, and some movies (plus Netflix) for in house entertainment, but we didn’t use it much because we wanted to be outside. The back deck is fantastic. They had plenty of yard games too. To set expectations for the serious river recreation enthusiasts, please note that the river is swift moving at the house and just upstream from a public access site. It was a little tougher to get in and out of the river at the house, but the public access site (in short walking distance) was easier for all to use. It was a popular spot for kayakers to go in or out. For the trout fishermen, it was a more difficult place to fish but there are other locations within a short drive that we had success with (caught 3 species). If you want more options check out the railroad trestle 3 miles down River Road (respect private property) or the trail systems down stream. Just do your river research early to make the most of your trip. Traverse City is a fantastic vacation region with tons of places to eat, hike, fish, or whatever other recreational fun. We would definitely stay again and recommend to others.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Away from the hub bub and quiet. House is great and property is right on the water.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was delightful- so well stocked with games, books, towels, plates, cooking utensils as well as toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags- it was above and beyond. Fire pit was great down by the River - we had such a great time! Visited beaches, wineries, hiked some trails - enjoyed it all! Thank you!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfy home away from home. Five adults shared home comfortably. Kitchen had what we needed to make nice dinners. Wonderful outdoor deck with table and chairs and seating areas. Plenty of cut wood for the outside fire pit. Just far enough from the city to enjoy the beautiful outdoors (including daily bunny visits). Washer and dryer a plus.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely location

We enjoyed out stay. Loved the location along the river, really nice, large deck and well equipped home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023