The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly

Photo gallery for The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly

A riverside park with a concrete dock, a wooden bench, and a stone wall.
A park with a swing chair by a pond surrounded by trees.
A cozy cabin interior with a wooden interior, a glass door leading to a deck, a fireplace, and a refrigerator.
A house with a small garden and a pond.
A cabin by a lake surrounded by trees.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Garage parking available
    Enjoy the convenience of garage parking - a rare offering in the area.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Pet-friendly
  • Garage parking available
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View in a map
Alto, MI
  • Place, Campau Lake
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Davenport University
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Grand Rapids, MI (GRR-Gerald R. Ford Intl.)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

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About the neighborhood

Alto

Located in Alaska, a neighborhood in Alto, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve, while Master Arts Theatre and Celebration! Cinema and IMAX Theater are cultural highlights. Patterson Ice Center and Forest Hills Fine Arts Center are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hunting nearby.
Map
Alto, MI

What's nearby

  • Campau Lake - 3 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Davenport University - 4 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe - 4 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Patterson Ice Center - 9 min drive - 16.4 km
  • MSA Fieldhouse - 10 min drive - 15.3 km

Getting around

  • Grand Rapids Station - 23 min drive
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly 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 The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

As of Oct 29, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly on Nov 8, 2026 start from $237, 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?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly located?

Located in Alaska, this cottage is 2 mi (3.2 km) from Campau Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe and Davenport University. MSA Fieldhouse and Patterson Ice Center are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 210 out of 246 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 28 out of 246 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 246 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 246 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 246 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to spend a weekend get away! Enjoyed reading on the deck and in the swing! The kayaks were a fun way to spend an afternoon on the river. Convenient location that had everything we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved the deck and the view!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 27, 2026
Thanks so much for your kind words and great review! The deck at the River House is our latest investment and has proven to be guest favorite. Sitting on the deck, watching the wildlife along the river is a great way to relax and enjoy the peaceful Thornapple River setting. The view at the River House is spectacular especially during fall colors. You can see the river from every window at the River House and we have appropriately named it "the River House" exactly for that reason. We really appreciate your respectful use of our beloved River House. It is great guests like you that have made our River House a huge success. We are a "Pure Michigan Destination" and when our guests have a positive experience while visiting with us we surely add the Pure Michigan reputation! We hope to see you again some day in the near future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a perfect stay for my daughter's wedding!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2026
The River House was a perfect place to stay during your daughter's wedding. We are so glad to have been able to share our beloved River House with you during this most memorable family experience. It was nice to see you sharing the property with family members and giving you a place to decompress with all the wedding activities swirling around you. Thanks for taking time to share your review with us. Our mission was for you to come to the River House, have a positive experience, fall in love with the River House and want to come back again! "Mission Accomplished". We hope to see you again in the near future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Home was charming and property on the river was outstanding. The owners provided everything needed, including printed details for our stay. The outdoor deck and lower patio were our favorites. Flower gardens, lush grass, and the flowing river provided serenity and calm. Nearby activities were fun and there were many dining options. We are planning to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is our second time staying at the River House. It is cozy and hospitable, and the location cannot be beat. It’s just 15 minutes from GR, but you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere in Heaven. :)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a gem of a little cottage with an exceptional view of the Thornapple River. The back deck and the lower patio and lawn area allow guests to really enjoy this beautiful river setting. We really appreciate that the cottage is pet friendly, and the host is extremely helpful.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 27, 2026
VRBO has proven to be the best Vacation Rental website thanks to great guests like you. You have earned your 4th (5 Star) guest review because of your thoughful and respectful use of our River House property! We really appreciate great guests like you that use the property and leave it as clean as you found it. This is a great partnership between owners and vacation renters. We have been doing VRBO for 20 years now and it just seems to be getting better every year! Great guests, great VRBO host site and hard work on our part to ensure total vacation satisfaction! Our goal is to have you come to the River House, have a wonderful experience, fall in love with the River House, and want to return again! "Mission Accomplished" Thanks for staying with us. We will see you again some day in the future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Walter was an excellent host easy to communicate with. BEAUTIFUL RELAXING AND PEACEFUL. Beds were comfortable. Saw fish jumping, Eagle, Turkey Vulture and Great Blue Heron. LOVED hearing the sound of the river. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host communication! Loved sitting on the deck and listening to river flow, so relaxing. Loved that we could bring our dog too . Beautiful view, hope to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 1, 2026
Ah YES, sitting on the new deck and listening to the river rapids, so relaxing, we agree! We are so glad you were able to enjoy the River House, relax with your favorite pet. Glad you took lots of pictures! The River House, its property, and the Thornapple River are all so photogenic. Your pictures will be lasting memories of your visit to the River House. Fall colors at the River House are amazing! You will have to book an October visit to enjoy the fall colors. Thanks for being a great communicator. We have been working hard to improve communications with our guests and the results have been excellent. Almost all of our guests comment about our efforts to communicate with them while they are visiting. We also hope you return some day soon. Our mission is for you to come to the River House with your favorite pet, have a wonderful experience, fall in love with the River House and want to come back again! "Mission Accomplished", we hope to see you again in the near future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Everything was nice and we really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 27, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. Thanks for kicking off our 2026 season as our first guest of the year. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary with VRBO and it is great guests like you that have made our River House vacation rental a huge success. We hope to see you again in the near future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay! Such a hidden gem. We loved being able to float down the river and grill on the patio. Our dog loved the yard and dipping her feet in the water. The house was cozy and the hosts were very sweet and communicative. The property was so peaceful and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 30, 2026
One of the best ways to enjoy the River House of Alaska Michigan is to go tubing! The River House is all about "the river" and the best way to experience the Thornapple River is with a full immersion tubing experience. We wish all our guests would be brave enough to take the tubing trip down the river! Until you have gone tubing, kayaking, or canoeing on the river you have not really had the full River House experience. We are so glad you went tubing! Being able to enjoy the River House with your family pet is a big plus. No one wants to put their beloved pet in a kennel while they go off and have fun on vacation. We have been working very hard to improve communications with our guests to assure them that we are responsive to any needs or questions and as nearby property owners can be there withing minutes! We are so glad you had a "wonderful stay". Our mission is for you to come to the River House, have a "wonderful stay", fall in love with the River House and want to come back! (Mission Accomplished!) We will see you again someday soon! Have a great rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a fantastic stay right on the river with a beautiful view. I will definitely be returning, had an amazing time and the communication with the host was excellent, Wally was very proactive and responsive. Can’t wait to book again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2026
Birthday Celebration at the River House on the beautiful Thornapple River, "PRICELESS" So glad to be able to share our beloved River House with you on your birthday! Watching the river and the dynamics of the river after rainfall is a true River House experience. Glad to have provided a nice birthday fire for you to enjoy while visiting with us! We have been working really hard to improve communications with our guests and the reviews we have been receiving have shown that our efforst towards improved communications with our guests to be a huge success! When our guests contact us we try to be prompt in our response and if able we try to resolve and issues and or answer any questions they may have. This is basic good customer service and we take that seriously. It is great vacation rental customers like you that have made our River House a huge success! Our mission is for you to come to the River House, have a wonderful birthday celebration, fall in love with the River House and want to come back again. "Mission Accomplished" Thanks so much for your comment "Can't wait to book again!" and we can't wait for you to come back again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The view from the deck is exquisite and sitting outside with a beverage and taking it all in is like being in paradise. I was sorry I had planned so much to do in Grand Rapids because my favorite part of this two day stay was sitting outside was watching the river and relaxing in the nature that was a short jaunt from down town. The cottage is old but quaint and the hosts have cleaned it up very very well. Waking up and going to sleep in the upstairs bed room was like glamping in a wonderful way. What a treasure of a place a stones throw from Grand rapids. I hope i can return some day.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property was beautiful, very relaxing!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 27, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. We were honored to be able to host your entire family while visiting with us. Thanks so much for your great review. We hope you can stay with us again in the near future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location on the water. Easy to get to with amenities close by.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 13, 2026
So glad your River House experience was a positive one! It was nice to see your family together enjoying the property including your family pet. Thanks for being a great guests. Nice to see you found Gun Lake nearby for your family to enjoy. Please keep us in mind for your future travel plans to West Michigan. Our goal was for you to come to the River House with your family, have a wonderful experience, fall in love with the River House and want to return again in the future. Have a great rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful July 4th weekend at the River House! The house was very clean and comfortable. We grilled, swam, kayaked and overall had a fantastic experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 21, 2026
How exciting that you got to spend our countries "250th Birthday" at the River House. We tell our guests that River House memories will last a lifetime. Now whenever someone asks where you were on our countries "semiquincentennial" you will be able to tell them about your excellent adventure to Alaska Michigan and our Beloved River House. We are so glad you decided to stay with us and hope you plan on returning some day! Our mission was for you to come to the River House and have a "Wonderful Experience", fall in love with the River House and want to come back again some day..........(Mission Accomplished!!!!!) Have a great rest of your summer and we hope to see you again some day!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a great house in a beautiful location, with outstanding hosts. We highly recommend visiting the River House!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 28, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. Glad we could share our beloved River House with your family. Thanks for leaving a nice written review in our guest book for others to see. Sharing our River House with your family is our passion. Our mission is for you to come to the River House, fall in love with the River House and want to come back. Mission Accomplised! We hope to see you again in the near future! Go Redwings!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property is amazing and perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 27, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. Thanks so much for your respectful use of our beloved River House property. It was great communicating with you while you visited. Thanks so much for your willingness to assist us with preparation for the rising river during your visit. You will always be a welcomed guest at the River House. We hope to see you again in the future!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, location
We loved this home for a quick weekend get away! The host was very communicative.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on May 23, 2026
Thanks for your kind review and respectful use of our beloved River House. It was great seeing you and your family enjoying the property. We have been working hard to improve our communication with our guests while visiting the River House. We are nearby property managers and try our best to offer immediate response when contacted by our guests. We hope you decide to come back and stay with us a little longer next time so you can have more time to relax and enjoy the River House property. We really appreciate great guests like you that have made our River House a success. Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What an outstanding experience. The place was right off of a Thomas Kinkead painting. So peaceful, right on the river. The host was gracious enough to bring over wood for the firepit that is next to the river. We sat out there every evening enjoying it with our dogs. Well stocked and great location with any kind of restaurant or shopping very close by. We will definitely be back the next time we are in the area. Great relaxing get away that was much needed!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2026
Total VRBO satisfaction is our mission and we hit a home run! We are so glad you came to the River House and had a wonderful experience. We have been working very hard to improve communications with our guests and provide personalized services to make your adventure complete. We were so happy to build a bontire for you and provide the wood necessary to make the bonfire experience memorable. Yes, sitting by the river with your loved ones is always magical. The sounds of the rapids and watching the wildlife is always very peaceful. Thanks so much for your kind review. Our mission is for you to come to the River House, have a wonderful experience, fall in love with the River House and want to come back again some day. "Mission Accomplished"! We hope you have a great rest of your summer and hope to see you again in the near future!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
River House definitely deserves a 4.75 out of 5 stars. The only reason for the minor deduction is that there should be an umbrella on the deck to enjoy an outdoor breakfast/brunch.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 26, 2026
Thanks so much for your great review and providing pictures from your visit! So nice to see your family enjoying the River House property. We strive to achieve a 5 Star rating from each of our guests. As nearby property managers, we encourage our guests to call us if there is anything they need while visiting with us. As it turns out, there is an umbrella in the River House garage and we would have been happy to set it up for you. Thanks for letting us know that there are times during the morning hours that sunlight may affect our guests and an umbrella might be useful. We will install the umbrella for our future guests to use. The deck is mostly in the shade during daylight hours. There used to be a tree providing shade over the deck but we chose to cut it down because it was a Mulberry tree and we did not want the tree dropping mulberries on the new deck. Our mission at the River House is for you to come and have a wonderful experience with your family, fall in love with the River House and want to return again some day in the future. We hope to see you again some day soon! Have a great rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a beautiful location both close to GR but far enough away that you can relax next to the river. The fishing was good but bring extra supplies as the river and trees will eat your lures. My family and I would not hesitate to stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on May 23, 2026
So glad you enjoyed the River House and took advantage of the River House property and fishing. The Thornapple River is a highly recognized Small Mouth Bass fishery. Yes the river can be hazardous to fishing lures as there are tree limbs from storms lurking beneath it's surface. We have been clearing tree limbs along the river to minimize casting hazards while fishing. We hope you come back again to enjoy the river during the summer months when you can kayak and canoe safely. Thanks for being great River House guests. It's great guests like you that have made our River House a success going on 20 years now! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The location is beautifully along the river with beautiful landscaping. The house built in 1923, so it is older house but will kept. We got to see an eagle catch a fish out of the waters! Would love to visit again
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 15, 2026
Thanks so much for your positive comments. Seeing a Bald Eagle on the river catching fish......PRICELESS.....So glad you got to take advantage of our tips for things to do while visiting. Meijer Gardens is always a favorite destination for our guests. Thanks so much for your respectful use of our beloved River House. Yes it is over 100 years old and we try to preserve and maintain its charm and character so our guests can have a positive experience while visiting with us. The wildlife along the river always offers an additional aspect to your River House adventure. There are deer, fox, otters, great blue herring, and all sorts of other birds of prey along the river. The fishing at this time of year always produces Small Mouth Bass. We take great pride in taking care of the property for our guests and we are always making improvements. We hope to see you again in the near future! Have a great rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was very cottage feel. Beautiful river frontage for relaxing and enjoying the river. Recommend for anyone wanting a relaxing place with great calmness and nature. Thanks to my host for being so accommodating.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on May 23, 2026
Your great review is a reflection of our dedication and effort to make the River House a premier Pure Michigan vacation destination for our guests. We take great pride in providing a wonderful property for our guests to enjoy and we were so glad to see that you invited your family to join you for a nice bonfire. Thanks so much for your respectful use of our beloved River House property. It is great guests like you that have made the River House a success for 20 years now. We hope you decide to return some day so you can make more River House memories. Have a great rest of your summer!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to relax, comfortable and safe.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jan 18, 2026
Hello Jason, Thanks for your great review. We really appreciate getting feedback from our guests and we are glad you had a relaxing, comfortable, and safe visit with us. We hope you decide to stay with us again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot on the river. House has everything plus some. The yard and view of the river is breath taking. Awesome fishing. Lots of wildlife. The hosts are great and kind. Defiently making another trip to stay here. THE RIVER HOUSE IS THE BEST!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on May 27, 2026
Thanks so much for your great review and for writing a positive family memory in our guest book at the River House. We love sharing our beloved River House with our guests and seeing your family together and enjoying the property was so satisfying. Glad you all went fishing and the story about the 15lb Carp you caught was extra special. We are a pet friendly vacation rental and seeing you with your family pet was very cool. We tell all our guests that you don't really know the River House till you have experienced all 4 seasons there. We hope you decide to come back in the summer months so your family can go swiming, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and yes of course more fishing. It is great guests like you that have made our River House a success! We hope to see you again in the very near future! Have a great rest of your summer...........
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