Obstacle courses are challenging, especially when it’s 90 degrees outside. There is a course just a couple of hours northeast of Atlanta, however, that rewards you with a cool dip in a lake.

Splash Island is part of the Ridges Resort in Young Harris. Its obstacles — inflatable challenges that float on Lake Chatuge — offer “over-the-top adventures, mind-blowing acrobatic thrills, and safe, yet fun, athletic challenges,” its website states.

The SpringBoard obstacle, for example, is a “gigantic mound of awesome” with multiple heights from which to jump into the water.

Climb on the Dome obstacle and challenge your friends to perform the best aerial trick.

There are, of course, rules you’ll have to follow. The main one is that you have to wear a life jacket when on the course. If you don’t own one, don’t fret; it’s included in the price.

Also, the coronavirus pandemic forced the resort to limit how many people can be on the course so it can ensure social distancing.

You can spend the entire day at Splash Island for just $25, regardless of age. That price includes a life jacket and a mandatory five-minute safety video. If you have only an hour for fun, the cost is only $10.

You can also spend the weekend at the resort for a staycation experience. The Ridges Resort offers community fire pits (with S’mores each night), a saltwater pool and lawn games.

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC