Tourism
Evart is located in the heart of northern Michigan’s outdoor recreational paradise. The geography of west central Michigan is a blend of hills, forests and quiet farmland punctuated by sparkling rivers and lakes. There is an abundance of diverse wildlife in the region including bald eagles, which nest along the Muskegon River. Osceola County has one of the largest whitetail deer population in the state and the Pere Marquette State Forest, located in the center of the County, is open to public hunting. This section of State Forest also contains a very popular dirt bike moto-cross trail (Evart Motorcycle Trail Map). The Evart area is also home to the elusive Morel mushroom and to wild blackberries and blueberries.
For anglers, the Muskegon River offers excellent bass fishing. There are also many public and private lakes providing eager anglers with a multitude of excellent pan fish. Seeking world-class Great Lakes sport fishing? Evart is conviently located 1-1.5 hours away from the Lake Michigan ports of Ludington, Pentwater, Manistee, Whitehall, and Muskegon.
The Muskegon River is also popular for inner tubing and canoeing in the Evart area; livery services are available at River Country Campground, located just north of Evart.
Besides fishing and hunting, the Rails to Trails program converted the former railroad bed to a beautiful trail that is favored by walkers, joggers, runners, bicyclist, and snowmobilers alike. The Pere Marquette Rail Trail, runs through Evart, and connects to Baldwin in the west and Midland in the east (there is a slight gap between Farwell and Clare). The westbound trail is paved from Evart to Reed City, where the trail crosses with the White Pine State Park Rail Trail. The eastbound trail will be paved from Evart to Farwell beginning in July of 2011.
During the winter, the Pere Marquette Rail Trail becomes a fabulously groomed snowmobile trail (maintained by the Pere Marquette Snowmobile Club). Snowmobiling is allowed on the trail from Farwell to Baldwin. In Reed City, snowmobilers can choose to head north to Cadillac or south to Big Rapids on the White Pine State Park Rail Trail. Ungroomed snowmobile trails are also located throughout the Pere Marquette State Forest located near the center of Osceola County – access to these trails are located just northwest of Evart on 7 Mile Road.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities exist within the Pere Marquette State Forest and throughout many County and City/Village Parks. The Manistee National Forest Hungerford Lake Recreation Area is also a short drive away. Downhill skiers can hit the slopes after a short .5-1.5 drive to Caberfae Peaks in Cadillac, Snowsnake in Harrison, Crystal Mountain in Thomsonville, Mt. Holiday in Traverse City, or Cannonsburg in Belmont.
