Newaygo County Exploring

08/02/2025

When it's cold out there are fun things to do inside around Newaygo County! We stopped by Clubhouse Arcade today to play some pinball and race cars!!!

04/02/2025

It a crisp day out on Hardy Pond. Even with the water down and all the cold Hardy Dam is still a beautiful spot! Also hear it is a great place for ice fishing!

01/02/2025

2/1 Update: Well, the warm up has taken its toll on our trail system. The middle section South of Baldwin (trails 3, 320, 324) was groomed a few days ago and were mostly flattened out. There is an area on the honeymoon loop (trails 3 & 320 south of Baldwin) with a logging operation ongoing, please use caution and watch for equipment and plowed areas. Our president Dan, spent 14 hours in this area grooming the other day to try to fix all the moguls from heavy traffic last weekend (normally this 92 mile run takes 8-10 hours). We will have a groomer out this weekend in that area, trying to widen out a few areas to give riders a place to avoid the plowed areas. Expect thin areas on all of our trails due to lack of snow and snow melt. Many of the sections on roads likely will be mostly dirt, so please be prepared for that. The good news is trail 19 to Hart still has a decent base and we may be able to groom out there over the weekend when conditions cooperate. Please keep up your snow ❄️ dances! If you ride, ride right, ride safe and ride sober!

01/02/2025

Winter sports update 2/1: we had a warm-up this week, so some conditions have changed.

-Snowmobiling is not possible at this time due to poor trail conditions

-Ice Fishing is still good. Just watch the edges getting on the ice at some lakes

Hiking is good to go everywhere

-Dragon Trail - please only use groomed sections when it is below freezing out. Ungroomed sections are open without restriction

30/01/2025

Trying to escape the snow and cold - check out a few of the indoor activities taking place around Newaygo County! Please add other opportunities in the comments!

Trivia Nights:
Tuesdays - The Blind Squirrel or Northern Trails Bar & Grill
Thursdays - River Stop Saloon or Newaygo Brewing Company

Cultural Adventures:
Heritage Museum of Newaygo County: Dive into local history.
The Wildlife Center at Legends Ranch: Enjoy the wonders of nature and wildlife.

Skill Building:
NCCA-Arts Place or Market 41: Take a creative class and learn something new!
TrueNorth Community Services has classes from freezer meals to art and how-to's

Stay Active:
Rivers Edge Jiu-Jitsu: Test your strength and flexibility at open mat times.
Get in shape at one of our many local gyms

Live Entertainment:
Dogwood Center for Performing Arts: Check out shows tailored for all ages and interests.
Local bars host live bands, follow their pages!

Recreational Spots:
Shoot Pool: Try River Stop Saloon, Shamrock Pub, Northern Trails, or Old Iron.

Indoor Golf:
Perfect your swing at The Bunker.

Cozy Options:
Local Libraries: Find your next read or explore.
Flying Bear Books & Creperie: Take a chance on a blind date with a book!

Game Night:
BINGO: Play at Tamarac or with the Commission on Aging for some social fun.
Euchre at Old Iron Bar & Grill or enjoy board games at The Pig Slice Pizzeria with family and friends!

28/01/2025

Get out and enjoy the beauty of Newaygo County!

26/01/2025

251.7 miles is how far one of our Board Members was able to snowmobile today, starting and ending in Newaygo County! Trail conditions deteriorated in some areas due to the warm-up, but a lot of areas had good snow. If you plan to ride, start just north of the Diamond Lake area, and you should have fun. The best section of the trail was between Big Star Lake and Montague. Think snow, we will need it with how many people are on the trails!

25/01/2025

First tracks on the trail today in Newaygo County. Love a freshly groomed trail with a new inch or two of powder on top! Get out there and enjoy the trail!

23/01/2025

And just like that snowmobile season in Newaygo County is 100%! Get up here and hut the trails. We will be doing a 200+mile long trip Saturday(Newaygo to Big Star Lake and then to Muskegon and back)and will share so real time trail conditions that day. Ride right and be safe!

18/01/2025

It's officially winter on the Dragon. Time to break out the fat bikes, snowshoes and skis and hit the trail!

17/01/2025

Fish On!!🎣

17/01/2025

Let it snow, let it sled! ❄️🌨️

Snow’s piling up, so it’s time to grab your crew and hit the hills! Branstrom Park in Fremont and Newaygo County Sports Park are perfect spots to bundle up, glide down, and make some frosty memories. 🛷✨

Don’t forget the hot cocoa! ☕😊

16/01/2025

The fish are biting all year long in Newaygo County!

Tuesday's
Richards N H. Newaygo. Now that's a beauty! Congratulations and thank you for sharing your story with us!

16/01/2025

Winter update as of 1.15.25:

-Ice fishing is in full swing. Use caution as it is early season, but reports are good for many lakes, and the fishing is going well. Parsley's Sport Shop, LLC AND Hesperia Sport Shop have what you need to get on the ice.

-Snowmobiling- not yet! We are close with a thin base started. After the next good snow storm 4" or more, we are good to go. This warm-up will not help, but it will get cold again in a few days, so the base will likley stay.

-Fat biking- Michigan's Dragon at Hardy Dam was groomed on segments 10, 11, 1, and 2. Wait until the warm-up is gone in the next few days and hit the trail. It is rolling well now, but please stay off when it is above freezing.

Hiking - The NCT has low levels of snow, which is also good for hiking still. Get out and have some fun when it warms up the next few days.

Indoors - lots of great places to shop, have a drink and stay warm. Check out our downtown areas for some indoor fun.

11/01/2025

It's the 2nd to last day for Deer Season in Newaygo County. What a beautiful day to be out in the woods hunting. It's so quiet out here in the National Forest with a fresh 3 inches of snow!

10/01/2025

Thick ice and biting fish make Newaygo County a great destination.🎣

10/01/2025

It's a great weekend to get started on your 2025 Go Exploring Challenge! Take a winter hike or build a snow sculpture. Enjoy the beauty of Newaygo County!

Print your own by following this link: https://newaygocountyexploring.com/challenge/

10/01/2025

It's still early but there are a few lakes where people are ice fishing. Please be very cautious if you go out. Good luck ice Fisherman!