Newaygo was first inhabited by Native Americans and French fur trappers who came to the area in the 1600s. Over time, more residents settled in the area by using the Muskegon River, and the city soon became known as Newaygo, which is rumored to be either an Algonquian word that means “much water” or a version of Chief Nuwagon’s name. Although Newaygo has been considered to be a rural town for many years, it was once a booming center of the lumber industry in the late 1800s. Today, visitors can learn about the town’s rich history by visiting the Heritage Museum of Newaygo County on Quarterline Street.
A big attraction to Newaygo is the city’s many parks, including Riverside Park, Newaygo River Front Park, and Newaygo Skate Park, two of which sit on the scenic Muskegon River. Also on this river is the Newaygo Railroad Trestle, a historic railway bridge that now serves as a hotspot for fishing. As for hiking opportunities, Newaygo’s Marshall Memorial Park is home to many trails through natural flower gardens and past small waterfalls.
When you’d like to stop for a bite to eat in Newaygo, consider stopping by Newaygo Brewing Company, a local brewery that serves house-made beers and bar food, like pretzel twists and gourmet pizzas. A popular locale for lunch is the River Stop Café, which serves sandwiches, waffles, and coffee. For a quick pick-me-up, check out Riverwalk Nutrition, which makes protein teas and shakes that work as meal replacements. After eating, you can explore Flying Bear Books, a used bookstore and small business located within walking distance of the downtown restaurants.
Memorial Day Arts and Crafts Festival - Held annually over an extended Memorial Day weekend, the Memorial Day Arts and Crafts Festival takes place in downtown Newaygo with artists selling handmade creations.
National Baby Food Festival - Fremont, Michigan hosts the National Baby Food Festival, which features craft shows, petting zoos, and baby food-eating contests each year in July.
Newaygo County Fair - The Newaygo County Fair is held annually in August and focuses on celebrating local agriculture with horse shows and tractor pulls.
Indiana Dunes National Park is a relatively new national park that gained its title in 2019, although the park was a state park and national lakeshore of Lake Michigan before that. Also once regarded as a sacred place by Native Americans before American settlers discovered it, Indiana Dunes National Park is a great destination for all forms of beach activities, from swimming to fishing and boating to hiking.
Although it's Ohio's only national park, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is one of the most frequently visited national parks. With over 100 waterfalls nestled in miles on miles of rolling hills, hiking and biking are the top activities at this park.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is home to the unique Isle Royale National Park. On this island, visitors can hike alongside wildlife or tour historic lighthouses. The only way to access the island is by plane or boat though, and the park gets quite cold during the winter as it's located in Lake Superior.
A state park encompassing over 1,200 acres, Muskegon State Park sits on the former site of a lumber mill. The majority of the park sits on the banks of Lake Michigan, although one mile of Muskegon Lake also sits on the border of the park.
Holland State Park is perhaps known best for its "Big Red" lighthouse, although plenty of scenery exists on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa in the park too. Sand dune climbing is popular here as is hiking through the woods.
Ludington State Park sits between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake in Ludington, Michigan. In the summer, beach-going and hiking are popular here while, in the winter, snowshoe hiking is popular.
Perhaps the most iconic stretch of shoreline within the Great Lakes region, Sleeping Bear Dune National Lakeshore is a must-see landmark of Michigan. Photographers love this preserved lakeshore for its 111 square miles of beaches, fields, and forests, and most of the land is covered with snow in the winter for skiers to enjoy.
Pullman National Monument is located just outside of Chicago and was once a town built for just employees of George Pullman in the early 1900s. Over time, the town disbanded, and today, it stands as a preserved ghost town that visitors can explore on self-guided tours.
Father Marquette National Memorial in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is a landmark dedicated to Father Marquette, a French explorer of the late 1600s who founded missions in the area near Mackinaw. Today, this memorial sits inside Straits State Park.
When you want to camp near Newaygo, consider choosing a Grand Rapids-area campground. You can camp at a place like the Allendale/West Grand Rapids KOA for full hookups, access to a dog park, and tons of scheduled campground events all year round. Two other local campgrounds include Lakeside Camp Park in Cedar Springs and Baldwin Oaks Campground in Hudsonville, both of which offer full hookups and pull-through and back-in campsites.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Newaygo, MI, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Newaygo?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Newaygo from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Newaygo?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
