It’s nice to get outdoors and enjoy the natural beauty Newaygo has to offer. Keep your children engaged by visiting a park, enjoying the river, going on a hike, and much more.
However, when it’s raining you’re going to need to find indoor options unless you’re looking to get soaked. For outings on a rainy day, you can visit a movie theatre, museum, or skating rink.
I’ve put together a list of kid-friendly items to do in Newaygo and around Newaygo. I have also listed adventure parks and museums that may be a short drive for a day trip.
Things to Do in Newaygo with Kids (+ Nearby)
1. Go Fishing
One of my favorite pastimes growing up was fishing every time I went to visit my grandparents in Newaygo. I had fun catching fish and my grandma always cleaned and fried them for dinner.
Grab a fishing pole and bait. Head out to one of the locations below and cast your line. Don’t forget to purchase a fishing license.
If you don’t want to stand on the shoreline, there are places that rent fishing boats in the area. Check out Wisner Rents Canoes or Croton Dam Float Trips.
FISHING LOCATIONS
Ed H. Henning County Park
500 Croton Road, Newaygo MI
Located on the Muskegon River
Google Maps | Website
616-652-1202 (In season: May-September)
231-689-7340 (Out of season: Jan-April & Oct-Dec)
Al duChemin Jr. Park
5439 Washington Street
Located on Croton Pond
Google Maps | Website
East Tailwater Overlook
Located on Croton Pond
Purchase Bait & Gear
Parsley’s Sport Shop
70 State Road, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-652-6986 | Website
Newaygo Fly & Tackle
8426 Mason Drive, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-452-6558 | Facebook
2. Float or Paddle the Muskegon River
Spending a nice summer day on the river is a fun event for the family. However, it may not be the right place for very small children.
To ensure you have a safe outing, make sure the kids wear life jackets. Keep the kids on a tube, raft, or canoe. Don’t allow them to swim as the currents can be strong.
Avoid going down the river after a big rainstorm or when the water is high. Always pack a lot of water, sunscreen, and snacks. Choose a short trip especially if it’s the first time floating with the kids.
READ MORE: Everything You Need to Know about Floating or Paddling the Muskegon River
Rent a Tube, Canoe, or Kayak
It is easiest to rent a tube or canoe to go down the river. The places below offer transportation with the rental so you don’t have to worry about having a vehicle at the place you get out of the river.
Wisner Rents Canoes
25 East Water Street, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-652-6743 | Website
- Tubes
- Rafts
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Fishing Boats
Pinky’s Tubes
8118 Mason Drive, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-652-8002 | Website
- Tubes
Croton Dam Float Trip
5355 Croton Drive, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-652-6037 | Website
- Tubes
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Fishing Boats
3. Plan a Picnic in the Park with a Playground
When my children were small, we would pack a lunch and pick a park to visit. It’s fun to get outside, get a little fresh air, and play on the playground equipment.
River Front Park
105 River Street, Newaygo MI
Google Maps
My favorite park to visit in Newaygo is River Front Park. There’s plenty of parking and space for the kids to run and play.
It’s located along the Muskegon River with a paved walkway that runs to Riverside Park.
Riverside Park
85 E Water Street, Newaygo MI
Google Maps
This is a small park located in downtown Newaygo. There is a playground with a small grassy area. You’ll also find picnic tables overlooking the Muskegon River.
Avoid this park on the weekends when the weather is nice. This is the area where a lot of river tubers are getting on and off the river. Parking will be hard to find on the weekends.
Conklin Park
Holly Avenue, Newaygo MI
Google Maps
4. Go Out for Ice Cream
Tiny’s Tasty Treats
98 State Road, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-652-7171 | Facebook
OPE, It’s Ice Cream
230 Adams Street, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | Facebook
5. Take a Walk or Hike
NATURAL TRAILS IN NEWAYGO MICHIGAN
Coolbough Natural Area
- S Hazelwood Ave, Newaygo MI (43.45024, -85.72843)
- Google Maps
- 2.8 mile loop natural hike around wetlands, ponds, prairies, and creeks.
Marshall Memorial Park Trail
- 246 State Rd, Newaygo MI
- Google Maps
- 1.1 mile in and out natural hike along Brooks Creek.
North Country Trail: 40th Street Trailhead
- E 40th St, Newaygo MI (43.48083, -85.78085) to M-20 Trailhead in White Cloud
- Google Maps
- 7.1 miles point-to-point natural hiking trail.
North Country Trail: Croton Dam
- Croton Dam (43.435632, -85.66683) to 40th Street Trailhead
- Google Maps
- 10.8 miles point-to-point natural hiking trail from the dam through the Manistee Forest.
The Dragon at Hardy Pond
There are several entry points for the trail system called The Dragon. Currently, still under construction, over 24 miles of the planned 47 miles have been completed.
The map below shows the current open trails.
You will find groomed trails with wooden bridges, rock covering, and boardwalks covering wet areas.
You will also find many picturesque moments through the woods and overlooking Hardy Dam Pond. Check out the official “The Dragon” website for current conditions and updated trail openings.
PAVED TRAILS IN NEWAYGO MICHIGAN
Croton Dam to Hardy Dam (THE EDGE)
- MK Conklin Park (Croton Dam) to Hardy Dam Park
- Croton Hardy Dr, Newaygo MI (43.4361345, -85.6608793)
- Google Maps
- 6-mile point-to-point paved trail.
River Front Park to Riverside Park
- 105 River St, Newaygo MI to 85 E Water St, Newaygo MI
- Google Maps
- Approx. 0.75 mile point-to-point paved trail or 1.5 miles in and out.
- Prefer to make your trip a little longer? Walk the trail and then make your way back through downtown Newaygo back to the park to create a loop.
6. Disc Golfing
MUSKEGON RIVER BLUFFS DISC GOLF COURSE
142 E Croton Drive, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | Facebook
You will find this course at Ed Henning County Park. The disc golf course is currently under construction. However, there are 7 playable holes as of November 2022.
There are 2 baskets and 2 tee pads on each hole giving you additional hole options.
You may have to purchase a Newaygo County parking pass. Daily, 3-day, and annual passes are available for a nominal fee.
Check out their Facebook page for updates along with their interactive map.
NEWAYGO STATE PARK
2793 S Beech Avenue, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-856-4452
An 18-hole disc golf course is located in the Newaygo State Park which is on the south side of Hardy Dam Pond. While disc golfing is free, the parking is not.
If you haven’t already purchased the Recreation Passport at the time of renewing your Michigan vehicle license plate, you can purchase a pass at the park.
7. Ride a Bike
8. Horseback Riding
Coolbough Natural Area
- S Hazelwood Ave, Newaygo MI (43.45024, -85.72843)
- Google Maps
- 2.8 mile loop natural hike around wetlands, ponds, prairies, and creeks.
9. Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center
12 Quarterline St, Newaygo MI
Google Maps | 231-652-5003 | Website
Downtown Newaygo
10. Visit the Library
11. Go Swimming
12. Go Ziplining
TreeRunner Adventure Park
2121 Celebration Drive NE, Grand Rapids MI
Google Maps | 616-226-3993 | Website
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
462 Scenic Drive, North Muskegon MI
Google Maps | 877-879-5843 | Website
13. Deer Tracks Junction Adventure Park
7850 14 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs MI
Google Maps | 616-863-3337 | Website
33 miles from Newaygo
14. Site 57 Safari
7850 14 Mile Rd NE, Cedar Springs MI
Google Maps | 616-863-3337 | Website
33 miles from Newaygo
15. John Ball Zoo
1300 Fulton Street W, Grand Rapids MI
Google Maps | 616-336-4300 | Website
36 miles from Newaygo
16. Country Dairy Farm Tour
3476 S 80th Avenue, New Era MI
Google Maps | 231-861-4636 x119 | Website
40 miles from Newaygo
17. Enjoy the Beach on Lake Michigan
Duck Lake State Park
4733 N Scenic Drive, Whitehall MI
Google Maps
Pere Marquette Park
3510 Channel Drive, Muskegon MI
Google Maps
PJ Hoffmaster State Park
6585 Lake Harbor Road, Norton Shores MI
Google Maps
18. Michigan Adventure
4750 Whitehall Road, Muskegon, MI 49445
Google Maps | 231-766-9959 | Website
19. Roller Skating
Roller Fox Skating Center
12189 Apple Ave, Ravenna MI
Google Maps | 231-853-2971 | Website
20 miles from Newaygo
Skate Estate
19224 State Rte 46, Howard City MI
Google Maps | 231-937-5653 | Website
20 miles from Newaygo
20. Bowling
21. Watch a Movie
22. Little Sable Point Lighthouse
287 N Lighthouse Drive, Mears, MI 49436
Google Maps | 231-845-7417 | Website
