
Take to the waters of Newaygo County.
Paddling & Floating
Water sports in Newaygo County are not just an activity, they are part of local culture, and we are excited to share our waterways with you! With 356 river miles we have just the right spot to drop your paddle in the water and float the day away.
Beaches
There’s nothing like a sunny day at the beach to relax and make memories with the family. Head to one of these popular Newaygo waterfront destinations, your sun and sand are waiting!
Lake Boating
Newaygo County is home to 256 inland lakes. For lovers of water sport activities, our inland lakes offer boat launches and public access for the perfect day on the water.
River Boating
Take to the rivers of Newaygo in your jet boat to experience unparalleled trout and salmon fishing. Don’t have a boat? We have you covered! Hook up with a Newaygo charter captain for a guided day of drift boat fishing.
Stories from the Water

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.

DISCOVERING NEWAYGO COUNTY 4
The waves lapping on the shoreline. The babbling of a nearby creek. The sounds of water bond us with memories of the past, and dreams of the future. Life is sometimes muddy, and turbulent, but water washes away the stress of everyday life. As I discover the County...

Entertaining a Small Town Part 1: River Float
A newly printed license securely tucked into an otherwise empty camo poly-velcro wallet, casually tossed onto the dash of late model modified 4x4. Bro-country blasting from a partially blown speaker as the fresh faced country boy drives from one end of town to the...

Time to Fish? Always in Newaygo County..
Having grown up in Newaygo County I never really thought about how blessed we are with all the rivers, lakes and streams we have around us for fun, and recreation. After moving to Indiana I was shocked and missed this great natural treasure of Newaygo County. ...

Power Paddle
On Saturday morning at 10am, under sheets of rain, they sat waiting for the gunshot. The solo canoeists (known as C1), steadied their boats in the chop. The shot rang out, barely audible over the wind and rain meeting the lake; the racers plunged their...

A Tale of Shaky Legs
“I don’t like it,” Ron says, smiling. I’m holding the board as close to the dock as I can, trying to steady it while he steps on. “I don’t like it,” he says again as I push it gently away, and hand him the paddle. (He’s still smiling, mind you). His legs...

Success at Dam to Dam 2018
by Carmen Faulkner At sunrise, the serious contenders went out. They walked or snowshoed or rode snowmobiles. Some carried ice shanties, others stuck true to what I would consider to be the ‘old school, torturous’ tradition of sitting on buckets in the wind and cold....

Dam to Dam Ice Fishing Tournament
by Carmen Faulkner All right everyone, the winter thaw is over! The few days of warm weather and the reminders from green grass poking up from under the usual January snow was wonderful, but wintery conditions have made their way back into the forecast for the...

Superb Fishing in Newaygo County
Newaygo County teems with an abundance of water for the experienced or casual fisherman. Thousands of acres of dam-supported backwaters, large and small beautiful lakes, and even hidden ponds provide plenty of opportunity for anglers to enjoy still-water fishing....

A Magical Outdoor Wonderland
The forests and rivers of Newaygo County are a magical outdoor wonderland where nature is on display year-round. The dense Huron Manistee National Forest, the rivers, lakes and streams -- all spring fed, produce some of the most amazing trout, steelhead, and salmon...