Entire home

Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River!

Photo gallery for Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River!

Bonfire!  Hot tub!  Patio with dining table!  River by the tranquil Boardman River!  What else could you ask for??
Bonfire!  Hot tub!  Right next to the huge river! What else could you ask for??
Or sit in the shade next to the river!
Have yourself a warm, cozy fire!  Play a record, and sip your drink!
Lots of living room windows look out on the river and patio!  Wood floors and ceiling offering upscale quality!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 142880 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Pet friendly
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Traverse City, MI
  • Turtle Creek Stadium
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Front Street
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Traverse City Beach
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

+2
6 Twin Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River!

Retreat to Northern Michigan with your family or friends and book this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, Traverse City vacation rental! This riverfront home features 2 Smart TVs, a fully equipped kitchen, and an awesome outdoor space fit for the whole group. Stay on-site and lounge in the hot tub or roast s’mores over the fire pit! When you’re ready to explore, head downtown for quaint shopping or visit Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park and swim in Grand Traverse Bay. The Great Lakes State awaits!

Our private road consists of homes with Boardman River frontage, private and serene, with easy access from the 55-mph beltway (Hammond Road) to anywhere in Traverse City, Interlochen, and Williamsburg. Great for access to Interlochen Arts Academy.

The neighbors on River Drive appreciate the quiet, calm setting. Please help keep it that way.


Traverse City, Michigan, United States

WATER RECREATION: Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve (4 miles), Boardman River - Boardman Valley Boat Launch (7 miles), Silver Lake Recreation Area (7 miles), Bass Lake (8 miles), Duck Lake & Green Lake (10 miles), Grand Traverse Bay - Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park (10 miles), Long Lake (13 miles)

TRAVERSE CITY AREA: Downtown (8 miles), live music, local restaurants, bars, cafes, micro-breweries, wineries/vineyards, tall ships in the bay, waterfront parks, boat rentals, maritime museums, art galleries, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Historic Barns, Park National Cherry Festival, Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel (17 miles), Mission Point Lighthouse (27 miles)

TEE OFF: The Crown Golf Club (8 miles), Interlochen Golf Course (10 miles), Bay Meadows Family Golf Course (11 miles)

FAMILY ACTIVITY: Incredible Mo’s (5 miles), Lucky Jack’s Bowling Center (7 miles), Pirate's Cove Adventure Park (10 miles), Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre (23 miles), Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (37 miles), Mackinac Island (122 miles to Mackinac Island Ferry Company)

AIRPORT: Cherry Capital Airport (7 miles)

All.

2,880 Sq Ft | Private Location | In-Unit Laundry | Outdoor Dining Area

Bedroom 1: King Bed | Bedroom 2: King Bed | Bedroom 3: King Bed | Bedroom 4: 2 Triple Twin Bunk Beds | Additional Sleeping: Pack 'n Play

INDOOR LIVING: 2 Smart TVs, wood-burning stove, dining table, breakfast bar, laptop workspace, game room w/ home theater system & pool table, ceiling fans

OUTDOOR LIVING: Furnished deck, private hot tub, heaters, wood-burning fire pit, basketball hoop, riverfront seating area, river views, fishing, skiing & snowmobiling nearby

The Firefly Lodge has a sister home next door (Boardman Monarch), in case your family group or company retreat needs space for up to 26 people!

Firefly Lodge offers:
- Pool table
- Cozy wood stove
- Nintendo mini
- Large smart TVs
- Stocked laundry room
- Well-equipped kitchen
- Free Wi-Fi

The southern exposure means lots of light throughout the day!

2-person stays can receive discounted cleaning fee ($150), if you request before booking! (Extra unclaimed guests will be charged for at $150/person.)

Additional dogs $50 each.

We welcome you into your many happy memories!


KITCHEN: Refrigerator, stove/oven, dishwasher, dishware/flatware, cooking basics, spices, drip/Keurig coffee maker, microwave, toaster

GENERAL: Free WiFi, keyless entry, central A/C & heating, linens/towels, trash bags, paper towels, hair dryers

FAQ: Pet fee (dogs only, paid pre-trip), access requires a few stairs, 1st-floor bedroom, exterior security camera (facing out), quiet hours (10:00 PM-7:00 AM)

PARKING: Garage (2 vehicles), driveway (4 vehicles)

There is a lot of parking. The short River Drive is a 15mph private road with hidden driveways, mostly single lane. PLEASE tell your family to drive slowly as a courtesy to everyone.

Boardman river is fairly cold, but many people enjoy fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing!

Firefly Lodge is very close to The Brown Bridge Quiet Area, which offers miles of hiking trails. Like to snowmobile? We are in close proximity to the Boardman Valley Trail System's 81 miles of trails! We are close to the Vasa Single Track, a great Mountain Bike trail system. In addition, the Vasa is home to 25 km of groomed cross-country trails. Mount Holiday is only 11 minutes away, a local downhill ski hill that also offers snow tubing and zip lining. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is only 27 miles away.

This setting is perfect for relaxing riverfront vacationing away from the hustle of town, but be sure to leave time for a short 15-minute drive to the city. Traverse City is well known for its lakefront, with countless shops and restaurants. The greater Traverse City Area is nationally recognized for Old Mission Peninsula's and the Leelanau Peninsula's many wineries, as well as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.

Short stays, weekly and monthly, are available. Traverse City Horse Shows at Flintfields Horse Park is 26 minutes from this location. Downtown Traverse City is just 15 minutes away.

An exceptional location for easy access to all the fun activities this great area has to offer while still being ‘away from it all.’ Festivals abound in this area, including Traverse City Film Festival, beer, music, and wine Festivals, and The Cherry Festival. Terrific shopping in waterfront villages and towns.

Our beautiful home is located in a rural forest area with lots of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, turtles, mice, insects, raccoons, bears, and bobcats (among others). Though we work to keep out pests including insects and mice, the reality of nature is that some of the tiny ones may get into the house from time to time. We DO NOT offer refunds because someone saw a spider, a fly, a bee, a mouse, etc. And please keep the doors closed to help keep them outdoors! Thank you!

House Rules:
• Non-smoking. (There will be a $1000 penalty for smoking inside the premises.)

Distance to:
• Downtown Traverse City (7.3 mi)
• Cherry Capital Airport (7.8 mi)
• Traverse City State Park Beachh (9.5 mi)
• Meijer (7.4 mi)
• AMC Classic Cherry Blossom 14 (6.8 mi)
• Chateau Grand Traverse Winery (17 mi)
• Grand Traverse Brewing Company (4.5 mi)
• Munson Medical Center (9.1 mi)
• Interlochen Center for the Arts (11 mi)

Property manager

Natalie
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Free WiFi

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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

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No loud parties.
No smoking, vaping, e‑cigarettes. Additional deep cleaning fee will billed.
Quiet hours: 11pm-8am.

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
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 and a first aid kit

About the neighborhood

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this vacation 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 Grand Traverse Bay. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and Centre Ice Arena are also worth visiting.
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Turtle Creek Stadium - 9 min drive - 6.5 km
  • Grand Traverse Mall - 12 min drive - 11.7 km
  • Great Wolf Lodge Water Park - 13 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Front Street - 16 min drive - 12.7 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 16 min drive - 15.2 km

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Buffalo Wild Wings - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River!?

As of Apr 24, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River! on Apr 30, 2025 start from $620.88, 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.

What time is check-in at Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River!?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Firefly Lodge on the Boardman River! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is within 6 mi (10 km) of Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve, Turtle Creek Stadium, and Forest Lakes. Arbutus Lake and World's Largest Cherry Pie Pan are also within 6 mi (10 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. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

andy p.

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

Great stay

Great stay
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony P.

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

Perfect week!

We spent a week at Firefly Lodge for spring break and absolutely loved it. The pictures didnt do it justice, the house is so beautiful. It had everything we needed. We were there with our three kids aged 1-8 and there was so much for them to do. The house was very clean and well appointed. The hot tub was also very clean. The location was perfect for having a private place to relax but also just a short drive to downtown.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

John D.

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

Right on the Boardman river

A nice open concept downstairs with master bedroom. Plenty or room upstairs (3 bedrooms, bathroom, tv area and pool table).The location is a beautiful wooded area 30 feet from the Boardman River. A hot tub overlooks the river This place is perfect for a family gathering.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne C.

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

Perfect spot for our family gathering!

We found this to be the perfect spot for our family. A wonderful blend of nature, fishing, hiking, and relaxing together. Close enough to take in a few Traverse City activities, but also the state parks that surround this area.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kayla M.

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

Scenic and comfortable!

Beautiful property and house that comfortably accommodated our group of 14. Highly recommend for a getaway in Traverse City. We especially enjoyed having direct access to the Boardman River. Hosts were lovely. Thanks so much!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

The Perfect Spot!

We had a perfect long weekend at the lodge. It felt cozy and had plenty of space for the all 12 of us! I appreciated that the home was well stocked with anything we might need and not having to clean before we left was an added bonus! Overall 10/10!

10/10 Excellent

Tom V.

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

Boardman bounty

Wonderful stay! Thank you Natalie!Love the river retreat not far from Traverse City. Winter wonderland this time of year. Yet all the comforts to go with it. From the warmth of the wood burner to the hot tub, our hearts were full and content. Plenty of space for three families with kids. And the kids never tired of the upstairs hang out. Whenever a question or need arose, Natalie was quick to respond. if anything to note, the water pressure was lacking upstairs but Natalie said she would look into it. Thanks again for sharing your little slice of heaven with us!. respond. I
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

About the host

Hosted by Natalie

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests