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Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river | Cottage in Traverse City

10.0 (252 Reviews) |   Pet Friendly   2 Bedrooms  1 Bathroom  6 Guests
Mayfield Cottage | Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river

2 Bedroom Cottage in Mayfield, Traverse City

River Life Paradise Cottage. East Bay Township Short Term Rental License Number: EBT-STR003162
Waterfront Cottage on the Boardman River • Near Traverse City • Hot Tub • Pet Friendly
Welcome to River Life Paradise, a cozy 2-bedroom, 1-bath cottage nestled on 18 private wooded acres with more than 2,600 feet of direct Boardman River frontage, just 10 miles from downtown Traverse City.
This is the perfect place to slow down, reconnect with nature, and enjoy the best of Northern Michigan. Relax in the private year-round hot tub, gather around the fire pit, explore the private hiking trails, or step down to the river for fishing, swimming, paddling, and wildlife watching.
Whether you're planning a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or an outdoor adventure, River Life Paradise offers the rare combination of peaceful privacy and convenient access to Traverse City and the area's many attractions.
🏡 The Cottage
2 bedrooms — sleeps up to 6
1 full bathroom
Comfortable open-concept living and dining area
Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher
On-site laundry facility available during the spring, summer, and fall seasons (laundry facilities are not located inside the cottage)
Central heat
Mini-split A/C
High-speed WiFi
Internet TV with access to streaming services including Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon
Parking for multiple vehicles
🌲 Your Private Outdoor Retreat
The real attraction is just outside your door.
Private year-round hot tub overlooking the river
Large outdoor patio
Fire pit for evening campfires
BBQ grill and patio dining table
Private hiking trail winding through the woods
Extensive Boardman River frontage
River access for swimming, fishing, paddling, and enjoying the scenery
Excellent opportunities for bird watching and wildlife viewing
Mushroom hunting and nature exploration
The cottage is surrounded by woods and river, giving you plenty of space and privacy while still being only a short drive from Traverse City.
🎣 Fishing, Paddling & Outdoor Adventures
The Boardman River is a destination in itself. The river is well known for blue-ribbon trout fishing, including Brown and Brook Trout, as well as swimming, paddling, tubing, and wildlife viewing.
Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing are popular activities on the river, with local equipment rental options available in the area.
Other nearby outdoor adventures include:
ATV and snowmobile trails approximately 1/4 mile away
Brown Bridge Quiet Area hiking trails
Horseback riding and other activities at Ranch Rudolph
Mountain biking and paddle boarding
Golf at nearby championship courses
Winter snowshoeing, skiing, and ice fishing
🐾 Dog Friendly
Up to two dogs are welcome per stay.
A one-time $85 pet fee covers up to two dogs for the entire stay. Guests bringing dogs must disclose the pets at the time of booking by selecting the pet option when making the reservation.
With 18 acres of woods, private trails, and riverfront surroundings, River Life Paradise is a wonderful place to enjoy a getaway with your four-legged family members.
🍷 Explore Traverse City & Northern Michigan
River Life Paradise is located approximately 10 miles from downtown Traverse City, putting you close to some of Northern Michigan's best dining, wineries, breweries, beaches, shopping, and entertainment.
🍷 Wineries & Breweries
Explore the scenic wine trails of:
Old Mission Peninsula
Leelanau Peninsula
Local craft breweries and cideries, including Right Brain Brewery, The Workshop Brewing Company, and Hop Lot
🍽 Dining & Shopping
Enjoy everything from casual local favorites to fine dining, including:
Trattoria Stella
The Cook's House
Boathouse Restaurant
Downtown Traverse City offers boutique shopping, galleries, restaurants, breweries, and live music.
🏖 Beaches & Parks
Spend the day exploring Northern Michigan's beautiful beaches and parks:
Clinch Park Beach
Traverse City State Park
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Scenic Lake Michigan beaches and shoreline
🎉 Events & Seasonal Activities
There's something happening in Northern Michigan throughout the year:
National Cherry Festival
Traverse City Film Festival
Fall color tours along scenic M-22
Winter skiing and snowshoeing
Ice fishing
Snowmobiling
Holiday and seasonal events throughout the Traverse City area
Crystal Mountain is approximately 40 minutes away for downhill skiing and other winter activities.
⭐ Amenities at a Glance
🛁 Private year-round hot tub
🍳 Fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher
🧺 On-site laundry facility — spring, summer & fall only; not located inside the cottage
❄️ Central heat + mini-split A/C
📶 High-speed WiFi
📺 Streaming/Internet TV
🔥 Fire pit
🍔 BBQ grill
🌲 Private wooded acreage and hiking trails
🎣 Boardman River frontage
🚗 Parking for multiple vehicles
🐕 Pet friendly — up to 2 dogs
💲 $85 one-time pet fee for up to 2 dogs
🐾 Dogs must be disclosed at the time of booking
🌅 Your Pure Michigan Getaway
Whether you're casting for trout on the Boardman River, relaxing in the hot tub beneath the stars, enjoying a campfire, hiking through the woods, exploring Traverse City's wineries and restaurants, or spending the day at Sleeping Bear Dunes, River Life Paradise puts you right in the middle of it all — while giving you a peaceful private retreat to come home to.
Come relax, explore, and enjoy everything Northern Michigan has to offer.
🗓 Book your stay at River Life Paradise today!
Keywords: Traverse City, Boardman River, waterfront cottage, Northern Michigan vacation rental, hot tub, pet friendly, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, wineries, breweries, Cherry Festival, Sleeping Bear Dunes, snowmobiling, cabin rental, VRBO Michigan, Pure Michigan

Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river is located in Mayfield. Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river provides accommodation, featuring Air Conditioner, TV, Balcony/Terrace, among other amenities. This Cottage features Air Conditioner, Parking and Pet Friendly to make your stay a comfortable one.

Boardman River Cottage, 2 bedroom 1 Bath steps away from the banks of the river has 2 Bedrooms , 1 Bathroom, and max occupancy of 6 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated Cottage because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this Cottage, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. Cottage has a friendly neighborhood, and the Mayfield has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the Cottage in Mayfield, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.

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Amenities

Air Conditioner
Parking
Pet Friendly
TV
Balcony/Terrace
Accessibility
Security/Safety
Sports/Activities
Bedding/Linens
Wellness Facilities
Fireplace
Guest Services
Entertainment
Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking
Child Friendly
Heating
Hot Tub
Internet
Kitchen
Laundry

Policies

Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 pm contactless check-in available
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 am
Child Policy
Children are welcome. note from host: kids have a blast here!!
Pet Policy
Pets allowed service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation note from host: please email or call owner to discuss your pets.

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 parties and events are allowed on site note from host: please contact prior to booking!! 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 this property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation property registration number 2021-0011 property registration number 2021-0011

License number: 2021-0011

Reviews

Meghan V.
Jun 12, 2026 06:23:25 PM
Review Score:   10
Summary: We loved our stay at this cottage! It was the perfect home base for our family of four—close to the beach, a national park, and other local adventures, while still feeling peaceful and relaxing.The hot tub and beautiful river were highlights of our trip, and we appreciated all the thoughtful touches throughout the cottage. The kitchen was well stocked, and details like the ice maker, glass rinser, and a variety of kitchenware made it feel like the hosts had thought of everything.One of our favorite parts of the trip was simply spending time together playing games and relaxing after a day of exploring. We would definitely stay here again!
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FAQ's

Is this property pet-friendly for guests?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.

Does the property have a swimming pool?

No, this Mayfield cottage does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.

How much does it cost per night to stay in property?

Best-rates for the Mayfield cottage starts from $294 per night with includes Entertainment, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, Internet, Pet Friendly, Bedding/Linens, Guest Services, Child Friendly, Hot Tub, Kitchen, Laundry, Parking, Wellness Facilities, Heating, Accessibility, Sports/Activities, Air Conditioner, TV, Balcony/Terrace, Security/Safety, Fireplace with all other facilities. matches every traveler with their perfect accommodation, whether you are traveling with a group, friends, family, or pets.

Is property a family-friendly place to stay?

Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this cottage Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the cottage has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.

Is the property wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?

Based on the information received from our partner, the Mayfield cottage has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.

What is the minimum night stay policy for the property?

Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Mayfield cottage indicates 1 day stay policy at this cottage. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.

What cancellation policy is in place for property?

Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.