Things to Do in Big Rapids

Inspired by extreme sports, the Muck Ruck is a 2-, 4-, or 7-mile race through mud-slicked terrain designed to rouse beginners and the physical elite alike. The filthy obstacles vary based on terrain, but typically include 12–20 natural and manmade challenges that send participants climbing ropes, sloshing through chest-deep muddy water, and bobbing for leeches. Xtreme Muck Ruck stresses safety with each event, as all obstacles are designed to test your endurance and strength while still being fun. Those seeking to further put their bodies to the test can keep splashing and complete all three courses to join the Xtreme Club 247.

At the Blast Factory, inflatables cushion the tumbles of sock-clad youngsters as parents and trained supervisors look on. Kids climb up and glide down multicolored slides or crawl through the mouth of a tall inflatable dragon in search of cavities. Along with open play, The Blast Factory hosts two-hour private parties, during which up to 25 kids can enjoy 90 minutes of private inflatable fun and 30 minutes in a private celebration room. Each party also can include add-ons such as pizza, popcorn, cotton candy, and soda.

Carved through dense woodland, Chase Hammond Golf Club's 18-hole course showcases a scenic backdrop and a well-manicured landscape. Throughout the course, a tapestry of towering trees sways over the edges of fairways, shrinking landing zones for the tiny Scottish pilots who steer golf balls from their dimple-size cockpits. Wildlife such as deer, turkeys, eagles, and foxes occasionally emerges from the foliage to check in on players' rounds, adding character to the vibrant fringe. Before rounds, golfers and their clubs can warm up swings at the club's driving range.

For 45 years, Baldwin Canoe Rental has outfitted paddlers with the equipment needed to push off into the tranquility of nature and float through the heart of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Their current fleet includes more than 400 watercrafts, from tubes to tandem kayaks. The wide variety of vessels enables clients to customize their Pere Marquette River journeys, whether they want to gather a full group of friends together for a leisurely glide in inflatable rafts or embark on soul-searching trips in single kayaks with just enough storage space for power crystals.

Nestled along Northern Michigan's snow belt, Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf Resort sends visitors careening down 34 different ski runs, offering a total of 485 feet of vertical drop. Its location near Lake Michigan helps the resort average more than 150 inches of annual snowfall per year. Beyond skiing and snowboarding, the frosty harvest enables the resort to offer other wintery activities.

Away from the slopes, visitors relax inside Blackmer Lodge, a cozy facility outfitted with cathedral ceilings, a two-story stone fireplace, and rustic exposed timber. Extended stays, meanwhile, unfold at Mackenzie Lodge, located right at the base of the slopes, where an outdoor heated pool and hot tub await to help guests relax or cook lobsters they brought with them in their suitcases. And, during months when a heated pool isn't necessary, Caberfae challenges golfers with a scenic nine-hole course peppered with wetlands, ravines, and fairways lined with 75-foot trees.

The course at Brookside Golf and Grill guides golf balls past babbling brooks and over rolling terrain as players traverse the 6,100-yard course. A stream treacherously intercepts the golfer's path on three holes, and a large pond lies in wait to the right of the green on the 13th hole, waiting furtively for wayward bounces and impulsive swan dives. After a round, players can head inside at the newly redesigned clubhouse, where a full grill restores lost calories with burgers and burritos and assuages lost chances at birdies with beer and wine.

Course at a Glance:

• 18-hole, par-72 course
• Total length of 6,100 yards from the back tees