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.
#girlsgonewilderness
Good hiking gear that really works can make the difference between having the time of your life or living through a suffering day on the trail. Along with the gear, who you bring as your company makes all the difference! We set out with five everyday gals from Newaygo...
Farmer’s Market: Friday Fun!
The Newaygo Famers Market is focused on working with local farmers to ensure the residents and visitors to Newaygo County have the opportunity to purchase fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. At the Newaygo Farmers Market you will find a plethora of local ...
Schindy’s Place
As the weather warms, the trails are calling. Rev the engine & take to the county and seasonal roads and ORV/ATV trails of Newaygo County, and you are bound to end up near Diamond Lake. A 171 acre all-sports lake, surrounded by cottages, national forest & a...
Birthday Hike
Is there even a better way to spend your birthday than trekking through the North Country Trail? I think not. After tackling the stretch from M-20 to Echo Drive, I felt ready to make it all the way to 40th street. My father-in-law even gifted me a decades old...
Advice from a Hiking Trio
Meet Annie Trapp, Linda Trapp, Kathy Broome & pup Novalee, all residents of the White Cloud area. They enjoy hiking the North Country Trail as a trio in their spare time. I caught up with these ladies to ask how this year has been going so far…So far in 2021 they...
Spring Break Day Trips – Outdoors & On The Cheap
Pretty much every year around this time, my wife and I scramble to find exciting, enriching things to do with our kids during spring break. Although she’s fully vaccinated and I’m currently half vacc’d, we are still a bit reluctant to head to the typical spring break...
Modern Workhorse or Adventure Machine?
Back in the day, if you could have looked in a cowboy's saddlebags, you would have seen a few things that every one of them made sure they had whenever they jumped onto their trusty steed. A good rope, a coffee pot and a few tools were part of every cowboy's gear....
Winter Hiking – Questions From a Newbie
Excited to throw 2020 behind me & crush all the goals in 2021, I signed up for the North Country Trail Hike 100 Challenge. Ambitious, as I’ve only hiked a handful of times in my life, but why not make 2021 my year? I embarked on my first hike in the first few...
What do a mousie, a sucker, a spike, and a shiner have in common?
Most people are racking their brains to put these common words together. However, a few winter sportsmen are chomping at the bait to answer this simple question. In our household, these words trigger excitement and remind us of good times with friends throughout the...
Snowshoe Adventure On The Dragon
Being an avid runner from a young age and now a personal trainer, I have spent a lot of time running and hiking over the years. In more recent years, due to my work schedule, I found myself stuck to the convenience of the gym equipment. During the 2020 Quarantine...
8 Stops For a Unique Gift
Like it or not, the holiday shopping season is here! I’m probably more guilty than most of having a certain distinct box showing up on my porch on a regular basis, but this year is more important than ever to support small businesses. I’ve put...
Deer Hunter’s Must-Do in Newaygo County
The trees are bare, the air is crisp and the calendar has just flipped to November… In Northern Michigan, that means deer hunters are headed to the woods! If you haven’t tried your luck in the deer woods of Newaygo County, we recommend checking it out. With...
Fall Colors: A Bird’s Eye View
Flying amidst the clouds, high above Newaygo County, Doug Harmon captured Newaygo County's fall beauty perfectly. It's the season, jump in your car and head North! Newaygo County is here to greet you. Grab a bite, even stay the night! Come explore the rivers,...
Fall Means Apple Cider Slushies
The cider slushies are the best-tasting brain freeze I have ever had, and I look forward to it every year.
Sandy Beach Camping
My favorite part of the camping, is waking up early in the morning. When the campground is quiet. I usually get up before the sunrise, to take a quiet stroll around the park.
First Time Hiker
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit, that even growing up next to the Manistee National Forest, literal minutes from the North Country Trail, my first time hiking it was this past winter… in my mid 30’s! While my preferred adventure typically includes a glass of wine on...
Traipsing Through the Winter Woods
I am in love with Newaygo County. We’ve lived here three years now and keep discovering hidden treasures. If you love to be out in nature as my husband and I do, then each season brings new adventures and experiences.I did not think snowshoeing sounded like much...
Winter Wanderings: Newaygo County’s Trails
I first learned to love cross-country skiing during my senior year of high school after befriending a Norwegian exchange student named Ingvar. My first trip out was perfection. A snow day from school and the type of snow globe snow falling through the trees onto us...
