The White Pine Trail and the Muskegon River

This part of Mecosta County is good for getting outside. The Fred Meijer White Pine Trail runs right through it — a paved rail-trail that stretches about 92 miles from the Grand Rapids area all the way to Cadillac, passing through Morley, Stanwood, and Big Rapids on the way. It’s flat, fully paved, and open for biking, walking, running, and (on the northern stretch) snowmobiling, so you can pick up the trail in town and ride for miles.

Big Rapids also sits right on the Muskegon River, which runs through downtown — the city grew up here as a logging town floating timber down toward Lake Michigan. Today the river is a draw for paddling and fishing, and the Big Rapids Riverwalk follows it through town.

For anyone who likes being outdoors, having a long paved trail and a major river this close is a real plus.