Newaygo State Park on the south side of the pond features a campground that overlooks Hardy Dam Pond. There are 99 rustic sites here according to State Parks. The grounds sit on a 20-foot bluff overlooking the dam and pond. Big Bend State Park on the upper west shores of the park features a 225-site campground. Oxbow Park is another campground near Newaygo with an additional 197 sites. Oxbow also features cabins.
Big Bend has one cabin and one trailer available for rent in addition to traditional camping sites. It also features three restroom buildings with toilets and showers, basketball courts, and a dump station. Oxbow has two cabins, three restroom buildings and an additional three vault toilets. Oxbow and Big Bend also feature horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, swimming areas, beaches and boat launches. All these campgrounds have playgrounds, picnic tables and fire rings for grilling.
According to the Big Bend website, Hardy Dam is the world's third largest earthen-filled dam. There are 17 miles of waterways between dams here for water sports like skiing, boating, fishing and kayaking. Wildlife viewing is rich in this densely forested region. Wildlife watchers are likely to see woodpeckers, wild turkeys, grouse, raccoons, otters, porky pines and bald eagles, according to the Department of Natural Resources. The Hardy Dam Nature Trail lazily winds along the river for hikers and mountain bikers. You'll hike through a diverse hardwood forest with views of the Muskegon River.
Summer temperatures in Newaygo average in the 70s Fahrenheit. Summer is the active season for all the camping activities visitors enjoy at Hardy Dam. In the fall and winter, anglers are drawn to the Muskegon River for the annual salmon and steelhead runs. During this time, rental outfitters in the area give good deals on fishermen's gear and lodging. Winter snowfall reaches averages of up to 30 inches in a month, which is well above the national average. Camping isn't a viable option at Hardy Run in the winter.
