• Tourism plays a major role in the economy of Newaygo County, Michigan, which partially sits in the Manistee National Forest. The county is home to Hardy Dam; county officials say it's the biggest earthen dam east of the Mississippi. Anglers come to fish in the Muskegon River. More than 230 natural lakes dot the county. Whether you want to hike, fish or swim, a Newaygo County campground puts you close to outdoor adventure in western Michigan.
  
  

Big Bend Park

• Located on Hardy Dam Pond, Big Bend Park has docks, a boat launch, a swimming beach and more than 225 campsites for tents and RVs. Hookups include water and electricity. There is a wastewater dumping station, five vault toilets and service buildings with showers and flushable toilets. A pavilion, grills, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, volleyball courts and four playgrounds are onsite. The campground is open from mid-April until mid-October. While Big Bend Park does allow pets, only two dogs are allowed per campsite, and they must be on a leash. The management says it forbids "pit bull" breeds.
  
  Big Bend Park
  2000 S. Beech St.
  White Cloud, MI 49349
  (231) 689-6325
  oxbowpark.net
  
  

Diamond Lake County Park

• The 156-acre Diamond Lake County Park has 2,000 feet of frontage on Diamond Lake near White Cloud, Michigan. The pet-friendly campground has 60 campsites, and as of 2009 is open from mid-May through September. A little less than half of the sites have electric, sewer and water hookups; the rest are electric-only. Two bathroom and shower facilities are on the property, as well as a sanitation building, enclosed shelters and a picnic area. The park also offers a swimming beach, playgrounds, horseshoe pits and beach volleyball. Boats are available for rent, or bring your own. From Diamond Lake County Park, you can hike the circular Birch Grove Trail. This 10-mile trail winds through the Manistee National Forest and the Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary.
  
  Diamond Lake County Park
  3351 Mundy Rd.
  White Cloud MI 49349
  (231) 689-1190 (during camping season)
  (231) 652-9298 (off-season)
  countyofnewaygo.com
  
  

Newaygo State Park

• Although Newaygo State Park welcomes RVs, you won't find any hookups here. The only facilities on this rustic campground are vault toilets and a playground. The campsites do have picnic tables and fire rings. Trees buffer each site, offering some privacy. Newaygo State Park sits on 20-foot embankments on Hardy Dam Pond, where you can spend your days fishing or swimming. A public boat launch is available. as of 2009, campsites are open from mid-April to mid-October. Pets cannot be on leashes longer than six feet; in other words, leave retractable leashes at home. The park is less than four miles from Hardy Dam. Below the dam is the parking area for a nature trail along Croton Pond. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says you may spot a pileated woodpecker during your hike, or even a bald eagle.
  
  Newaygo State Park
  2793 Beech St.
  Newaygo, MI 49337
  (800) 447-2757
  michigandnr.com