Family-owned since 1968, Big Bear Adventures has been connecting travelers with the wild beauty of Northern Michigan’s Indian River region for over five decades. The local crew combines deep knowledge of the Sturgeon River—the fas...
Big Bear Adventures offers multiple activities that keep families coming back, from mini golf that's been a local favorite for decades to guided side-by-side tours and river tubing on the crystal-clear Sturgeon River. Dave stands out repeatedly as an exceptional guide who prioritizes safety while keeping groups engaged and entertained on the scenic trail rides. The staff generally gets praise for being friendly and helpful, especially when explaining everything to first-timers. A few operational hiccups pop up in recent feedback. Some visitors arrived to find no staff available to help, which meant missing out on activities entirely. River conditions can vary dramatically, and a couple reviewers felt the difficulty level wasn't communicated clearly enough, particularly for tubing trips after storms when debris made navigation challenging. Safety equipment like life vests and paddles aren't always standard issue. Most visitors leave thrilled with their experience though, and many specifically mention plans to return.
Big Bear Adventures was a wonderful choice for our anniversary Side-by-Side trip on the trails. We did the 2.5 hour guided trip with Dave, our guide, and it was perfect! Dave is very knowledgeable and makes safety a priority. I highly recommend Dave and we will be back!
Noelle Morabito Borgia
October 10, 2025
Big Bear Adventures was a wonderful choice for our anniversary Side-by-Side trip on the trails. We did the 2.5 hour guided trip with Dave, our guide, and it was perfect! Dave is very knowledgeable and makes safety a priority. I highly recommend Dave and we will be back!
Noelle Morabito Borgia
October 10, 2025