As residents and visitors alike agree, Newaygo County has an enviable natural resource base that has to be experienced firsthand to be fully appreciated. 2014 brought the introduction of a new Newaygo County asset: The Edge!
Ready to get away for an afternoon, an overnight adventure, or a week of exploration? The Edge (Newaygo County Pathways) is a planned, 80-mile, community built connection between the five major municipalities in Newaygo County. With a connection to other Michigan Trail systems, it is the perfect platform for families and visitors to experience the beauty of our woodlands and waterways.
The first phase of The Edge construction began in the fall of 2013 between two family friendly parks and the two massive regional dams, Croton and Hardy, with a perfect 6.2 mile or 10K stretch. Unique in its design and grassroots community approach, The Edge will be integrated in coming months and years to join Croton-Hardy with the municipalities of Newaygo, Grant, White Cloud, Bridgeton, Hesperia, and Fremont, which already features the highly acclaimed Town and Country trail. Connectors to the Hart-Montague, White Pine, and northern Kent County trails are also being planned.
The Edge was designed to be a stage for people who want to improve their health – on their own- or through a series of events sponsored by local and national organizations. Community events provide these opportunities such as, the Power Paddle Plus in June and community walk of the Dam-to-Dam segment on the 4th of July weekend, along with several additional opportunities to enjoy The Edge with the community.
Going forward, working with the Newaygo County Historical Society, The Edge will serve as a living classroom, informing trail users of the rich heritage of Newaygo County through a series of permanent historical markers, rest stops along the way, and of course, the close proximity of the mighty Muskegon River. Further development of the Hardy Pond Trail at the northeast end of the Edge, an additional 37-mile-long off-road biking and hiking trail that will circumnavigate the edge of the enormous Hardy Pond reservoir, and serve as a regional magnet for outdoor adventure enthusiasts, weekend explorers, and those looking for a real challenge close to home.
The Edge has been years in the planning process, involving partners ranging from The Newaygo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, The River Country Chamber of Commerce of Newaygo County, The Newaygo Nationals Association, which brings national paddling and other events to the Muskegon River Watershed, the Fremont Area Com-munity Foundation, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial, Tamarac, the Center for Health and Wellness, and generous corporate sponsors including Choice One Bank.
2015 was another groundbreaking year for Newaygo County with the first “2DamTuff Challenge” event utilizing the Edge, the two dams, the Muskegon River, an enormous sand dune, area swamplands, and other obstacles designed to challenge the most “hardy” if you will, of competitors.
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail
Roaring through Newaygo and Mecosta counties is the beautiful Dragon Trail. This winter, my fiancé, two dogs, and I had the chance to check out the trail for the first time and we all quickly fell in love. In fact, we did not just go once, we went twice within the...
Newaygo County is the Perfect Place to Experience 1000 Hours Outside!
My family and I are avid outdoors people. More often than not, you can find us outside enjoying the four seasons of beautiful Michigan weather. From rivers and forests to trails and adventures, we’re pretty blessed to be able to explore Newaygo County that boasts the...
Q & A With a local SLEDHEAD and Snowmobiling Etiquette 101
My family has grown up in the Newaygo County area and we have been riding snowmobiles off the LP3 Trail system for years. When you see the staging parking lots full on a Saturday morning, it feels good to know the area businesses are going to see some out of county...
A Dazzling Light Display at Croton Township Campground!
There is something magical about Christmas light displays that bring out the child in all of us. Memories of car rides to see the neighborhood lights, with noses pressed to the window, are rekindled. These memories can be relived, and new ones created, in Newaygo...
Fremont’s own Award-winning prairie
Fall is my favorite season, hands-down. Between the fall colors, harvest festivals and some fresh-pressed apple cider, I’m one happy girl. A fall favorite event of ours is Fremont’s Hay Art and this year it was extra special. While out exploring the city’s Hay...
White Cloud- Trail Town Hidden Gems
If you venture a few yards off M-37, you will find some amazing hidden gems within White Cloud city limits that most travelers don’t know exist. Hidden Gem #1 If you're heading North into town, Rotary Park is the first stop you’ll make. Taking a right on James Street...
Take me Down to the River: High Rollway Adventures
High Rollway is a roadside park located in Brooks Township off M-82, less than ten minutes from Downtown Newaygo. From the road, the park looks like an ordinary grassy area to park and stretch your legs after a long car ride. However, this park is a hidden gem just...
Let’s Talk About Bogs!
On todays episode of our outdoor family adventures, we ventured out to Camp Newaygo's Wetland Trail! Nestled in Camp Newaygo, the Wetland Trail is the only one of its kind in Michigan. What makes this so unique is that the one-mile round-trip trail crosses through the...
Family Adventures at Coolbough Natural Area
My family and I are avid outdoors people. Our ideal day would be to do something outdoorsy from sunup to sundown. From hunting and fishing, to hiking trails and exploring new places, it’s something we all can connect and bond over, while giving our family the outdoor...
Never Underestimate a Woman With a Chainsaw
Growing up, my grandparents were farmers, and my grandpa and uncle were really into steam engines , restoring one and building one from scratch. They would go to steam engine shows and by chance at one of them, they met a group of lumberjacks doing a show. They...
Labor Day Weekend Logging Festival
The Logging Festival in Newaygo has been a part of Labor Day weekend for more than 60 years. I have been trying to research the changes throughout the years and have learned that while some of the weekend’s events and activities have changed, the common theme of...
Exploring Challenge: An 8 year old’s adventure
Having a mom that is involved in a million things has its perks every now and then. As Newaygo County Tourism Council President, I had the opportunity to share the new Newaygo County Exploring Challenge with my kids as soon as it was approved. Over the past few...
A Newbie’s Experience With The White River
Like most who grew up in Michigan, water has always been my happy place. From boating on the big lake, jet skiing on the inland lakes, tubing down the Muskegon River, and most recently kayaking, any day in water is a good day. My new found love of kayaking took me on...
Star Parties Return!
Great news from the S.F. Wessling Observatory! Read on to learn more, or visit their new website: http://www.newaygocd.org/kropscott-and-observatory.html We are pleased to announce that the S. F. Wessling Observatory will conduct its first 2021 Star Party on Saturday...
Mountain Biking Saved My Life… an experience with The Dragon!
Mountain biking saved my life….well, that’s an exaggeration, but it definitely improved my overall quality of life. I moved up to Newaygo county last August from Calhoun county, were I thoroughly enjoyed the trails of Fort Custer. However, by this time I was a new...
Hesperia Welcomes ORVs!
It is no secret that Newaygo County is a great place to ride your ATV or ORV, with all Newaygo County maintained roads open to ORV/ATV traffic, but some restrictions apply when you enter City/Village limits. The Village of Hesperia, located on the far western edge of...
Newaygo County Parks: 2021 Updates
As kids embark on summer vacation & families look for ways to enjoy our beautiful Michigan Summer, we caught up with Nick Smith, Newaygo County Parks Director, to see what's new and exciting in the parks this season! Newaygo County has 4 campgrounds, 1 marina, 2...
Kids Free Fishing!
Beginning in 1983, Russell Gilbert Kids Free Fishing is a day where families can gather for fun times and even have a chance to win big money! On the first Kids Free Fishing day, 8 anglers joined in the fun & over the years, they have seen over 400 anglers...