Spring the NewayGo County Way
The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and a spring adventure is just around the corner. Whether you are a fishing enthusiast or just want to get out and explore the trails, NewayGo County has just the spot for spring exploration of every sort. In our first of Spring Adventure blogs, we’ll break down the must-know information for spring fishing and hiking!
Steelhead are in the River!
The rivers are low and clear at this time of the year, making it an ideal time to give river fishing in NewayGo a try. Early spring is peak season for steelhead fishing on the Muskegon and White Rivers. Make your way to the open water of our area rivers to take part in this early fishing season, where you’ll find steelhead trout that can weigh 20+ pounds. Check out our Muskegon River and White River maps for access and launch locations.
Find the Right Spot
You will find the perfects pot to cast your line on the Muskegon River, below the Croton Dam at the Pine Street or Thornapple launches. On the White River anglers catch steelhead at the access points below the Hesperia Dam. Before you go, be aware that some launch points will require a Michigan Recreation Passport for parking.
Fishing Resources
37 North is the NewayGo Tourism Council’s official partner for outdoor gear. They have kayaks, coolers, life jackets and more. Between 37 North & our friends at Hesperia Sport Shop, you are sure to find everything you need to outfit your adventure. Be sure to check them out before heading out on the water.
Below is an assortment of resources that may also be helpful as you plan your fishing excursion:
Where to Stay Nearby
Looking for a spot to rest your head after a day of Muskegon River fishing adventures? Dragon Adventures Base Camp and Oakridge Motel are great options. If your fishing adventure takes you further north on The White River, we recommend Trailside, located in White Cloud, just a few minutes away.
Spring Trails
After being cooped up indoors we are all ready for some fresh air and sunshine. Spring is the perfect time to get out and explore everything NewayGo has to offer. Load up your bikes, lace up your hiking boots, or just put on some comfy clothes and find the trail that is just right for you.
Bikers
As spring begins to bloom, you will be delighted to find the Fremont Town & County Path to be a perfect spot for an enjoyable bike ride. The 5.5-mile pathway begins at the north end of Fremont and circles around Fremont Lake Park. The Path is connected through wooded areas, over bridges, past farms and is connected to several parks, schools, and the beach at Fremont Lake. It is an ideal trail for a family bike ride for all skill levels.
Hikers
The Coolbough Creeks Natural Area is a trail system comprised of several looped trails that features ponds and wetlands, white pine and white oak forest, butterflies and wildflowers. It provides a serene setting for an early spring hike through the woods. Stroll in silence, listening to the bubbling waters of Bigelow and Coolbough Creeks along the way. Birders will also find this location to be a gem, as it is a natural habitat to woodland and wetland numerous species.
Flower Seekers
Spring is when Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary comes to life. Brightly colored blooms contrast against newly green trees along a well-marked 1.5-mile trail. With over 150 different species of plants, wildflowers, trees, and vegetation, you will find Loda Lake to be premier destination for a spring flower hike. A perfect way to spend an early spring day reconnecting with nature.
Plan your spring getaway today!
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...
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...
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...
#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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
Fall Color Tour Time!
Top 5 places (and maybe a few more) to take great Fall color photosFall is my favorite time of year. I love watching the rainbow of colors change from day to day. Science says that water and temperature determine when a tree’s leaves turn colors. I don’t much care for...
Newaygo’s Riverfront Park – A Great Place to Walk Your Dogs!
We have 14 acres and some nice trails on our property that our dogs get walked on regularly, but we try to get them out for a ride in the truck and a walk “elsewhere” as often as we can too. They really like walks in the woods but sometimes, especially after work, we...