(Disclaimer - some of this is copy/paste from my review of the West course on site!)

Northend Riverside Park is located in Big Rapids, MI. It's right on the north edge of town, but yet feels secluded. There are two 18-hole disc golf courses on site here, East and West. The two courses are right next to each other but do not overlap. There is some great signage between holes that allows disc golfers to easily play all kinds of different layouts within each course, and even between courses. The signs point out 6, 9, 12, 18, and 24 hole layouts and honestly, even more layouts are possible. For example, this isn't signed but you could easily play holes 1-8 of the West course then skip to holes 12-18 on the East course for an easy 15-hole round. This is really almost a choose-your-own-adventure disc golf park which adds to the appeal, in my opinion. The park is very pretty, and for the most part dedicated to disc golf only.

The East course is the older of the two, and in general it plays slightly shorter but with more elevation change than the West course. My understanding is that this park originally had only one 18-hole course, which used the first two holes and holes 6-18 of the current East course, plus holes 1, 2, and 17 if the current West course. This East layout has a few memorable holes. My favorite was hole 10, which is the longest one on the course. It plays 540' from the long Blue tee. The first 250' of the fairway runs through a section of woods that is pretty much straight and flat, although the terrain slopes downward on the left side if I am remembering correctly. Then, the hole kinks to the right and makes its way through beautiful undulating terrain the rest of the way to the basket, with several trees in the fairway preventing an easy approach. Besides this one, there are several other holes where the elevation changes are significant enough to affect play. You will need to take this into account, and throw accurately, AND get some decent distance on your drives to score well on this course.

As alluded to above, there are two sets of tees here. The long Blue layout will be a challenging round for most disc golfers. Distances average around 325', and range from hole 3's 175' thread-the-needle downhill toss to the aforementioned hole 10. The shorter Red layout looked like it would still offer respectable challenge, while also requiring some different throws and being a little more forgiving for newer disc golfers.

The baskets on this East course are Chainstars (west course has yellow banded DISCatchers). To be honest I would like to see banded DISCatchers here too, but only because they are easier to spot in the woods. There is otherwise nothing wrong with the Chainstars. Hole 18's basket is raised maybe 8' off of the ground for a unique challenge to end your round. One basket per hole.

The two teepads per hole are concrete. Some of them could use a replacement but overall they are still in good shape. There are trash cans at every long tee, and benches at many of them.

The tee signs are decent. Those at the long tees each have a map of the hole mounted to a sheet metal sign. The hole number and distance is cut into the metal on each sign. Unfortunately, these signs do not show the par or give any information about the shorter Red layout, and there are no signs at the shorter tees.

There is a kiosk at the parking lot that has a large map of both courses, information on some of the possible layouts, and other notices. There are also two practice baskets and a porta potty nearby. Wi-Fi is available in the parking lot too!

Besides the great layout maps between holes mentioned at the beginning of this review, there are not many "Next Tee" signs. There are a couple of places where it isn't quite clear where to go for the next hole, and several other places where you could waste time by walking to the Red tee instead of the Blue tee for the next hole, and vice versa. More signs that point towards both Blue and Red next tees would be nice.

Although the variety is good overall, it felt like there were a high number of right turning holes in the middle of the course. I may not have noticed if not for a sign proclaiming "Now Entering Anhyzer Alley" at the beginning of this stretch. I'm putting this as a Con but LHBH/RHFH throwers might love it, haha. There is also a stretch of holes between #12-16 or so that started to all feel pretty similar to each other.

Disc golfers currently have to clamber up on a couple of large rocks to retrieve their discs from the raised #18 basket. These rocks aren't quite level and this could be dangerous in wet conditions. Also, I am about average height and the rocks were barely tall enough for me to reach my disc. Some stairs here would be a good safety/accessibility improvement.

Despite the name of the park, there are no water hazards here (both courses are east of the parking lot, and the river is west of it).

The rough on some holes will be quite thick in the summer. You may want a spotter.

Road noise can be heard throughout the course, although it is less significant on the East side.

As of this writing, using Google Maps to get here is a little funky. The road that the park is on is shown as a trail for some of its length as you approach the park, and I believe that road is the only way in and out of the park so Google was a little confused. I recommend checking the directions listed on the Course Info tab before you drive here.

Overall, Northend Riverside Park is a great disc golf option. I would not call it a destination for out-of-state DG travelers, but those within a reasonable drive should definitely check it out. Compared to the West course, I think that this East course is slightly more polished, has a better mix of holes, and has more elevation change - hence my slightly higher rating. With all of the Cons addressed this could *maybe* cross into 4.5 range, but I don't think the terrain is here to create enough "wow" factor, to push my rating to that magic 5.0 number. Still, I wish this park were closer to me and I would love to call this my home course!

See the directions for parking from my West review . The kiosk says it all . The blue area on the map constitutes the East side . I had forgotten to mention on the West review that right next to the kiosk are the TWO putting baskets . Finding the first hole to start the East course is a little trickier than the West course . There is a cement path to the right of the West course #1 tee pad and across the street from where you parked . Follow that to a hill in front of you and climb the hill and turn right . You will see the first tee pad . The East course has the same cement tee pads ( some a little short ) . the Yellow banded Discatchers that are good for course , especially in the woods or when it is dusk. The signage is maybe the best I have ever seen . Metal , partly cut out at the top to signify that you are on the East course and hole # . You can read that part from the front or back of the sign , keeping you on the right path . The signs from the front also give a picture of the hole and the length . This course is the shorter , not quite as hard , but better looking counterpart to the West Course .Something that I had never seen in a course before were the same large course maps tat you see on the kiosk , stationed in selective parts of the course . They will show you where you are , and if you want to peel off for a shorter 12 hole round by taking a different path or extending to a longer round by taking another path and adding 6 holes from the West course that runs alongside of the East Course to make a 24 hole round . Unbelievable ! There are some NEXT tee signs on the course to help navigate you , too . You might not have to print a map to navigate this course , but for the sake of losing focus on a bad hole , you don't want to wander off and enter the West Course . Even though the East Course distance is shorter than the West Course , it still has great basket placement and an aesthetically pleasing environment . Lots of nature's creatures abound in this part of the park . The course is situated far enough away from the park's many other activities , that you should only encounter other disc golfers . There seem to be remnants of a shorter course that coincide with this course , designated by knee high red wood posts in the ground showing a crude flight path and toe boards at the natural tee pads . Lots of fun holes on the East side . Ones that stand out in my mind right away are #5 , which you throw your drive from just inside the woods , out in the open , hyzer to the basket , which is nestled in the same woods you just threw out of ( 280' ) . Your next drive at 6 , you throw out of the woods again , across an opening , anhyzer to an opening in the woods across from you and slightly downhill ( 300' ) . #7 is a 270' basket sandwich in the woods . The basket sits between 2 sets of large trees directly in front of the hole and behind it . Throw too far and you are down the hill , fighting for an angle in which to throw a putt . #10 is the longest hole , sitting at 540' through the woods . It will punish you if you stray off the fairway . #13 is a cool hole with OB to the left of the tee . #15 has the best tee box , slightly elevated with a wood paneled front #18 had one of the better finishing holes that I have seen . A left turn wraparound drive only about 250' or so , but with large trees set to take your drive out of the air . I can't figure out from standing on the tee pad how you can make this drive carry to the basket , unless you can throw over huge trees . Anyway , the basket has some of the dirt dug out of the front of it , and has a wood paneled elevated basket set out in the open . I chose #18 as my signature hole for the East Course . Good balance of left and right handed holes . I don't know where the players were , but I felt I had the course to myself . I was playing at 10:30 on a Sunday morning .

You could make an argument that the course is not as competitive as the West side , and that some good ams or pros would play this course under par for sure , but I don't consider that a con , since they have the choice to be over on the West side , anyway . Lack of trash cans on the course .Carry out what you carry in .

It must be nice to wake up on a weekend morning , drive to the park , and your only dilemma would be which course to play . A well designed 18 hole course on the East side offers you the lighter more beautiful side of Northend Riverside park . It looks like the course has undergone major changes since last being reviewed in 2015 . I am really impressed by how much effort and finances have gone into making this course what it is today . If I lived within 40 miles of this course I would be here most weekends . Thanks, Northend Riverside Park Board for making these courses a reality .Your park will have the notoriety of having one of the best places to play disc golf in the state , and the area businesses will also reap the benefits and not even know it . I stayed overnight at Holiday Inn next to Ferris State ( College Disc Golf National Champions 2017 ) , Ate at BW3 across the street and ate lunch at Wendy's the next day . ( friendly town )

Tough course due to the fact that more than half is heavily wooded, but is also very fun. Always clean nicely taken care of. Cement tees for the pro, and sand for the beginner is nice. Decent amount of signage to lead you through the holes.

Some of the beginner tees seem to be actually more difficult than the pro ones. Other than that there really are no large cons.

This is a great course which is really fun to play and has many fun sights, such as the multiple bottle cap trails and the entire 17th hole is very fun. All in all, a very fun course. I defiantly recommend a play.

First course I ever played on. I love it! This is the course that got me addicted to Disc Golf. I like because its not like normal parks where people are just all over. Its in is own region. The holes present a different aspects of the game. I have yet to master this course but I played some amazing games on it. I do find myself going back to this course when ever I have the time because everything you play it is a new experience.

College students need to take better care of it. There needs to be more trash cans around and a better place to dispose of waste products. Respect nature!

The bottle cap ally is alot of fun! Hole 17 is alot of fun as well as hole 11! I recommend using a putter on some holes its a good way to practice that skill!

Very clean. Few different options for different style throws. Woods add a bit of complexity to your shots as you try to find ways to make it through. Tees are cement and there are visible markers directing you to the next tee after finishing a hole.

There is so much open space, could put in a few more holes, or even a second course. No real cons at all with the course itself.

This was the first stop on our travel of a couple different courses for the day. Was not expecting it to be much more than a warm up course. Was pleasantly surprised by not only the course design and complexity level, but also by the way it is maintained. Make sure to check out the bottle cap path, and the american flag made of caps.

Very nice long course. Mostly rolling hills but a few climbers. Blue and red tees provide a different feel. On a few holes the two tees make the hole a completley different hole. Woods can be tricky and frustrating but thin enough its not to hard to find a disc.

The red (short) tees tend to be harder than the blue. Not very many short holes.

This course can wear you out and beat you into the ground. Dont come here looking for a confidence booster. Bugs can get a little irritating but not that bad.