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Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River

Photo gallery for Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River

Exterior
Boardman River in the summer
Sunny day on the river
Boardman River in the fall
Sunrise in the backyard

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81400 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Traverse City, MI
  • Place, Forest Lakes
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Arbutus Lake
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Turtle Creek Stadium
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bed 1

1 Queen Bed

Bed 2

1 Double Bed

Bed 3

1 Queen Bed

Bed 4

2 Double Beds and 1 Twin Bed

2 bathrooms

Main level bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upper Level bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

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.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space

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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
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Do not book this property for your kids who do not meet the minimum age requirement if you are not going to be staying at this property with them.
Absolutely NO pets allowed. $500.00 fee if pets are brought to property.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Centre Ice Arena and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are local attractions and those in the mood for shopping can visit Front Street and Grand Traverse Mall. Interlochen Center for the Arts and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Forest Lakes - 7 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Arbutus Lake - 8 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve - 9 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Turtle Creek Stadium - 9 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Spider Lake - 11 min drive - 11.9 km

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Culver's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Cracker Barrel - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River?

As of Mar 7, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River on May 25, 2026 start from $359, 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 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?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River located?

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

Reviews

10

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. 98 out of 100 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 100 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 100 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 100 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 100 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rene O.

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

10/10 Excellent

Macy P.

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

10/10 Excellent

Matthew L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I highly recommend this property as it is very clean, has everything you need for a comfortable stay and the property manager is easy to get a hold of if ever needed. Book with confidence!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tracie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was very clean and well maintained! One of the best stocked VRBOs I have stayed in! We were there for a wedding and the location was close to everything! Heather was a great host, we got a phone call on the day of our arrival with instructions and asked if we had questions, very impressed and would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Les M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is the second year in a row in which our family stayed at this home for a weekend of fun and memory-making in the Traverse City area. It was so perfect for us last year that it was a no-brainer to book it again this year! Once again, the home and Heather and Allison's attention to detail did not disappoint!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was clean and even stocked with some basic condiments. The area was quiet and restful, just what we were looking for. On the other hand, there the big grassy yard that would have been wonderful for a family gathering with children of all ages who wanted to run around and play games.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Heather and Allison were the perfect hostess. We had everything we needed at the house. The house beautiful and cozy. Allison called me before we arrived, she left us house warming gift, she explained everything. We will definitely come back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

christina s.

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

Family tradition

Our stay was nothing but perfect! Very peaceful, great communication and beautifully updated year to year! A nice get away for my family from the hustle of day to day. We have made this our family tradition for years. We are looking forward for many more to come
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

tim p.

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

Amazing

We stayed for a long weekend for a softball tournament in traverse city. The house had everything that you could think of to make it feel like home. By far one of the most stocked properties that we have ever stayed. Check in was great and we would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill G.

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

10/10 Excellent

Catherine C.

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

Amazing!!!

This was more than we could have ever expected... the beautiful river, lawn, deck were all exaordinary. And indoors, the cleanliness, AC, every amenity you would need from s'mores to coffee to shampoo. I travel the world and this was a special special place. We are rebooking immediately for next year the same week.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey W.

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

10/10 Excellent

Olivia C.

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

This place was beautiful

We had a great time, we played some games, enjoyed the deck and beautiful view. Checking in was easy and checking out was easy! Pretty close to downtown TC and even to the wineries, we had the best weekend. If we had any questions they were quick to answer! Highly recommended!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Grant G.

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

10/10 Excellent

Scott S.

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

10/10 Excellent

Juliet H.

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

10/10 Excellent

Jenna G.

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

Perfect stay on the river!

We loved staying at this property! It was extremely clean and Heather and Allison were so attentive and kind. I look forward to staying here again. Location was great and the house was so comfortable. HIGHLY recommend
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris K.

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

Great accommodations near Traverse City!

Stayed for a long weekend with my family. The space was clean and well appointed, check in was easy, and the hosts made sure we were all set for our stay. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

erinn w.

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

10/10 Excellent

Antonio M.

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

10/10 Excellent

Guy R.

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

Great place for a getaway to Traverse City.

We really enjoyed this location for a peaceful home base to explore the Traverse City area. We had a great time hanging out by the fire pit in the evenings. The host made sure that we had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

christina s.

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

Family memories!

So many great memories made. Our third year staying, looking forward to returning next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

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

Family Get Together

The property was idyllic. We had a wonderful stay and enjoyed celebrating with our family. Everything we need was provided and had great communication with Allison, the property manager.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lea L.

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

10/10 Excellent

christina s.

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

Making memories

Absolutely wonderful! Became a family getaway four times now, making memories. Great communication with manager! Fully stocked, very clean, great location!!! Can’t ask for better.!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

About the host

Hosted by Heather

Host profile image
I grew up in northern Indiana and have always loved the appeal of a home in a serene location that offered wooded area, waterfront capabilities, and the views of animals from my living room window.

Why they chose this property

I purchased this property when I made the decision to move to Traverse City to further my education. When I finished my degree and was ready to move back home, I decided that I couldn't quite part with this home because I fell in love with the area, my neighbors, and the property overall. Now, not only do my family and I get to continually enjoy what this property has to offer, but renters from all over the country get to fall in love with it too!

What makes this property unique

This property gives you a full-scale view of the free-flowing Boardman River, with a peaceful location on the end of an unpaved private road. There is plenty of wildlife to see from the living room window as well as in the backyard on the river.

Languages:

English

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