Explore Winter in NewayGo County
EXPLORE WINTER IN NEWAYGO COUNTY
As soon as the snow flies, a new sense of adventure takes hold and our thoughts turn to snowmobiling, fat tire biking, ice fishing, and more. NewayGo County is your perfect winter destination, whether this is your first time trying a new activity, or you are a seasoned winter warrior. Check out our top ten ways to play to plan a memorable winter getaway.
Fat Tire Biking on the Dragon Trail
Voted one of the top new mountain bike trails in the Country, the Dragon has amazing fat tire biking opportunities in the winter. All 45 miles are open with the trail construction being completed in September of 2024. The full trail is open year-round with portions groomed in the winter by volunteers. Multiple trailheads are open year-round with cross country skiers and snowshoes welcome to also enjoy the groomed sections of the trail. For information on trail conditions and grooming locations check out www.thedragon.us or follow Michigan’s Dragon at Hardy Dam on Facebook.
Winter River Paddling
The open waters of the Muskegon River or the White River welcome paddlers to experience Newaygo County waterways in all 4 seasons of the year. Winter paddling offers a serene backdrop for experiencing nature up close in the winter months as wildlife make their way to the open water. Although as enjoyable as warm weather paddling, winter can present some challenges. Be sure to watch for ice accumulating at the river’s edge that could tip your watercraft, dress appropriately for the temperature, layer the bottom of your boat or kayak with a wool blanket to stay warmer longer, and bring a dry bag with extra clothing in case you get wet.
Treat Yourself
Plan a mid-week escape, a fun weekend with the girls, or a romantic retreat complete with a visit to The Skincare Center & Spa at Tamarac. The spa offers an array of therapeutic services including relaxing massage, skin rejuvenation, and refreshing facials. Next, stroll the streets of our quaint small towns, then choose a local spot to enjoy a delicious meal. The perfect way to spend a winter getaway. Click Here for more a map of the retailers and restaurants in Newaygo County.
Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing
Looking for the perfect trail for your winter trek? Newaygo County is home to 114+ miles of trails for your snowshoeing and cross-country skiing adventure. Bring your own gear or even rent snowshoes from 37-North in Newaygo. To learn more about winter trail hiking in our region, click here, or read a story about the winter trail hiking experience in our area by clicking here, or click here to read about snowshoeing The Dragon.
Ice Fishing
If ice fishing is your go to winter activity, Newaygo County is your perfect destination for winter fishing. With more than 480 acres of inland lakes, from Fremont Lake to Croton Pond, you will find numerous lakes dotted with fishing shanties as soon as the lakes freeze over. For more information on ice fishing in Newaygo County, check here, contact Parsley’s or Hesperia Sport Shop for an ice report, or check out the DNR’s Fishing Report here.
Winterize Your Exploring Challenge
Experience the winter destinations of our region with the Exploring Challenge. With over 120 activities such as snowshoeing at Loda Lake, seeing a show at the Dogwood Center, or building a snow sculpture at a county park. Where will your challenge begin? Start planning on the Challenge page: https://newaygocountyexploring.com/challenge/
Snowmobiling
Ready for some wide-open winter adventure? The DNR designated LP3 Trail runs from the staging area located just north of the City of Newaygo across from the Newaygo County Welcome Center to the very Northern end of Newaygo County, continuing on through Lake, Oceana, Mecosta counties and beyond. Turn your ride into a weekend excursion & stay at any of the lodging facilities in Newaygo County, able to offer the perfect retreat for you and your snowmobiling buddies.
Downhill Sledding
When the first snow falls, the hills at Branstrom Park in Fremont and The Welcome Center in Newaygo offer the best destinations for downhill sledding in the region! Load up the kiddos and their sleds and head to Newaygo County for a family friendly winter weekend getaway.
Explore the Arts
Ready to get out of the house for some creative exploration? Try NewayGo County’s public art installations on the NewayGo County Art Trail. This self-guided tour will lead you to 25+ public art installations along a simple to navigate route. Enjoy original artist’s works from murals to sculpture while exploring the quaint towns of our region.
GET OUT AND EXPLORE MORE WINTER IN NEWAYGO COUNTY
With so many trails, lakes, and regional connections for winter sports, Newaygo County has no shortage of things to do when the snow flies.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling routes are abundant throughout the county and connected trails offering more than 100 miles of continuous riding on trails with amenities geared toward a great day on your sled.
Ice Fishing
Fat Tire Biking
XC Skiing & Snowshoeing
Take a scenic glide through the wintery wonderland of Newaygo County. Grab your snowshoes or cross-country skies and take to more than 75 miles of trails and almost 5,000 acres of natural areas ready for winter exploration.
Stories from the Trails
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...
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...
Christmas Season Festivities
I grew up in Newaygo country. My memories of the area are rich odes to the senses. There’s the feeling of the cold river running over my feet in the summer, sunlight on my face as it blinked through the rustling tree branches along the bank. There was the taste of...
Church’s Tree Farm
Finding the right tree!Snow fell, and we said goodbye to fall as if it were a thing that never existed. There were never leaves of red, yellow, or orange decorating the skyline. There were no greying trees of exposed branches and bark. There is only this place, this...
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. ...
Michigan-Made Syrup
Tapping and Boiling: A (Mostly!) Spring Guide to Michigan-Made Syrup The Tap I’ll never be one to complain about the coming of spring. Every year I look forward to the snow being replaced by morning frost, warming throughout the day. I look forward to the budding of...
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....
Acquiring and Operating Snowmobiles
By Samantha Breza There are no places to rent a snowmobile at in Newaygo County at this time. Snowmobilers have to own a snowmobile already or purchase one at David Allen Racing Motorsports on Maple Island Road. Winter clothes and goggles can be purchased at Dunham...
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...