The splendor of fall color, miles of trails beckoning you to explore, crisp cool mornings around the campfire, and dark night skies blanketed in stars, NewayGo County’s autumn season welcomes you to get outdoors, unplug, and reconnect with nature. After an exhilarating day discovering Branstrom Park, biking The Dragon, or getting muddy on ORV trails, imagine yourself kicked back enjoying a beverage around a campfire just steps from your cozy cabin in the woods. There just isn’t a better way to make the most of Michigan’s majestic fall season.
Gear Up!
Before you head outdoors to explore this fall, grab some new Go Exploring gear! You’ll be extra cozy in our new hoodies & our newly dropped enamel coffee mug will pair great with that late fall campfire. Shop our Go Exploring Shop with our exclusive NewayGo County gear.
Hike the Branstrom Park Loop
The Fremont Town & Country Path is the perfect destination for an afternoon bike ride. Following the trail, you will happen upon Branstrom Park. This local gem is a 100-acre park featuring a playground, pavilion, short looped trail, and even a 24-hole disc golf course. The well-marked 1.9-mile looped trail traverses a canopied forest and can be a fantastic spot for hiking and biking. Although hilly, and considered moderately challenging, the looped trail can generally be accomplished in under an hour.
Visit a Market
Fall in Michigan is never complete without a visit to a farm market. In NewayGo County you will find two treasured fall destinations: Heritage Farms Market and Nelson’s Farm Market. Our markets are the perfect destination for fall family fun. Sip a cider slushie at Heritage Farms and indulge in Nelson’s famous donuts or caramel apples. Choose one or visit both while exploring the fall colors of the countryside.
Take the Tour
Not sure where to begin your color tour? We’ve got you covered! Our Fall Color Tour Map will lead the way for a one-day driving route winding through the roads of our region flanked experiencing the colors of fall. Find your way to local shops and restaurants of our small towns, and markets offering the best of the fall harvest. Make it an overnight stay and experience the delightful amenities at the Harrington Inn, Muskegon River Inn, or enjoy one of our other area lodging locations.
Bike or Hike the Dragon
Get ready for a fall adventure on 45 miles of hiking & biking trails outlining the Hardy Pond. Wooded trails invite you to explore color from a new perspective with amazing views of the natural beauty of our area. The Dragon features: bridges, scenic overlooks, rock armoring, and expanses of wooden boardwalk, creating a trail that is both challenging and fun.
Paddle the River
The Muskegon River offers a friendly float on slower flowing waters. This waterway is wider and therefore slower and easier for a casual paddle. The pace is perfect for kayaking solo, canoeing with friends, or even stand-up paddle boarding on the warmer fall days. Plan your paddling adventure with our Muskegon River map, and let Wisner Canoe Rentals help you plan a paddling adventure to remember with their full-service livery.
Get a Little Mud on the Tires on the ORV Trails of Newaygo County
NewayGo County is the perfect destination to get some mud on your tires. Our region offers connectors to hundreds of miles of a comprehensive ORV & ATV trail network. The Michigan Cross Country Cycle Trail in White Cloud offers over 16 miles of motorized trails and connects to regional trail systems. The roads of NewayGo County are also Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) friendly welcoming you to explore any of the county’s well-maintained roads. Next time you are looking for a motorized trail adventure, head to NewayGo County!
Stargazing
Far from the constant glow of city lights, NewayGo County has perfect spots in every corner of the county for dark sky exploration. Gaze at the galaxy of stars cloaked in complete darkness at the Stephen S. Wessling Observatory located on the Kropscott Farm, where they provide amateur astronomers the opportunity to observe and study the amazing universe in which we live. An astronomical observatory is highly unique for a rural county, and we are fortunate to have such a facility right here in Newaygo County! Come be a part of Public Star Parties that are held throughout the season.
