AN OUTDOOR LOVER'S PARADISE

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.
For anglers, the Muskegon River offers excellent bass fishing. There are many public and private lakes providing eager anglers with a multitude of excellent pan fish. For more information, see below under "Fishing in Evart and Surrounding Area."

              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, bikers, and snowmobilers alike. The Evart area is also home to the elusive Morel mushroom, as well as to blackberries and blueberries.

             The Muskegon River is popular for inner tubing and canoeing in the Evart area;  livery services are available at River Country Campground. Only an hour away from Evart is world-class Great Lakes sport fishing from such ports as Ludington, Manistee, Muskegon, Pentwater, and Whitehall. Winter sports enthusiasts will find excellent cross country skiing conditions around Evart, including 13 miles of groomed trails at the nearby ski lodge in LeRoy. There are also hundreds of miles of marked trails for snowmobiling. The trail going through Evart and by The Depot (City Hall) is beautifully maintained by the Pere Marquette Snowmobile Club (sponsors of the Pere Marquette & White Pine Snowmobile Trails. The Pere Marquette Trail runs from Baldwin in the west to just east of Farwell; the White Pine Snowmobile Trail runs from LeRoy along US-131 to Russell Road just south of Cedar Springs. The trails cross at Reed City (near the intersection of US-10 and US-131). 

MERRILL LAKE CAMPGROUND
605 E. Third St.
Hersey, MI 49639 
Tel: 231-832-4410

CRITTENDEN PARK CAMPGROUND
3651 50th Ave.,
Sears, MI 49679, 
Tel: 231-734-2588 
                             Crittenden Park, located on the east shore of Big Lake, has picnicking, swimming, and camping facilities for the entire family. The park is grassy with many large, pleasant shade trees throughout.  Sixty modern campsites, with water and electricity, and forty primitive campsites combine to offer a complete camping experience.  A beautiful  grassy beach and neighboring DNR boat launch facility give access to all water sports and excellent fishing on Big Lake. The playground contains swings, a merry-go-round, a slide and more!  Also contained in Crittenden Park are primitive restrooms, a camp store, and a dump station. Group camping is available by reservation, and a pavilion is available for use by reservation.                                     

MERRILL LAKE CAMPGROUND
M-66, 
Barryton, MI 49305, 
Tel: 517-382-7158

RIVERSIDE PARK CAMPGROUND 
315 S. River Street,
 Evart, MI 496431
Mailing address: 
200 S. Main St.,
 Evart MI 49631
Park Office Telephone: 231-734-5901
Reservations at City Hall: 231-734-2181, Fax: 231-734-3917
Shuffleboard Reservations: 231-832-5329 (Lorne Keller) or 231-734-2181
                          Located alongside the Muskegon River in the beautiful Muskegon River Valley. 
15 Camp Sites; also available: Tent sites along the river. Electricity, Bathrooms, Shower, Fire Pits, Charcoal Grills, Boat Launch, Shuffleboards, Horseshoes, Playground, Basketball Court, Ball Field, Pavilions, and Dump Station.
Directions: At traffic light (Main & US-10) go south 3 blocks and turn east.

RIVER COUNTRY CAMPGROUND
6281 River Rd.,
 Evart, MI 49631, 
Tel: 231-734-3808
                          135 Sites: Water, Electricity, Modern Bathrooms, Canoe and Tube Rentals, Mini Golf, Camp Store, Firewood, Pavilion, Basketball, Playground, Boat Launch, Fire Pits. Call for more information or visit their website.

SUNRISE LAKE CAMPGROUND 
Tel: 231-768-5497                             
                            Sunrise Lake Park is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and is operated under special permit by the Osceola County Parks Commission. The campground offers 17 spacious primitive campsites, and 2 walk-in primitive sites in a beautiful pine forest overlooking Sunrise Lake.  A separate boat launch and day use facility offers access to Sunrise Lake and unlimited water sports; and picnicking on the grass and lakeside trail. The park also borders the Pere Marquette State Forest which offers an extensive ORV trail system.  Sunrise Lake has hand-pumped water, picnic tables, and primitive restroom facilities.  

ROSE LAKE YOUTH CAMP
17726 Youth Drive, 
LeRoy, MI 49655,
 Tel: 231-768-4923                                                 
                        Rose Lake is located in 48 acres of beautiful pine and hardwood trees. 160 modern campsites offer water and electricity at each lot. Three modern bathhouses provide showers and flush toilets.  With approximately 1300 feet of beautiful sandy beach on the north shore, Rose Lake offers a swimming beach, playground, and a boat launch facility.  There is adequate parking for those inclined to fish, boat, swim, or lie in the sun.  Located at Rose Lake Park is a store, a mini-golf, and a dump station.  Group camping is available by reservation, and two pavilions are available for reunions or other events.

SPRING HILL CAMPS
2717 95th Ave.,
 Evart, MI 49631,
Tel: 231-734-2616
                           Spring Hill is an interdenominational Christ-centered camping ministry that seeks to impact the lives of children and teens.
We create places and communities in which children are valued not because they can perform academically or athletically, or because of their appearance or talent or skills, but because they are unique individuals created in the image of God.
Our creative and exciting programs offer opportunities to build self esteem and learn a myriad of skills. Our outstanding professional staff of college students build genuine relationships with each child. More than role models, they provide the safe relational context that enables a child to make new resolves and commitments.
Distinctive housing units include tepees, a fort, covered wagons, cabooses, and even an old cargo airplane. The 720 acre facility includes beautiful lakes and ponds, wooded hills and ample playing fields. High adventure areas, an indoor pool, and other recreational facilities make Spring Hill one of the premier youth camping sites in the country!

DNR HOME PAGE - E-LICENSE

                            Customers can now purchase all licenses, permits and special hunt applications using E-License and will be able to print the license using their own printer. Visa and Master Card will be accepted. Please note licenses that require a kill tag and ORV, Snowmobile and State Park permits will be mailed directly to the customer.

DONATING MEAT AND HIDES

The DNR, in cooperation with several hunting organizations and charities, encourages all hunters to share their wild game with the hungry of our state. Please contact your local DNR Management Unit Office for more information or call 313-278-FOOD for a drop-off station nearest you. This effort is sponsored by Safari Club International, the Michigan Bow Hunters, Ted Nugent World Bow Hunters, United Methodist Men's Club and the DNR. (Hunters who are interested in entering their trophy deer in the Michigan record book should contact Commemorative Bucks of Michigan at 800-298-BUCK.

                              The Evart area has an abundance of lakes and streams with excellent fishing opportunities. The following lakes are excellent fishing for bluegills, croppies, bass, perch, and pike:
Big Lake, Chippewa, Hicks, Merrill, Negaunee, Pogey, as well as Saddlebag, and all are within easy driving range of Evart.


Fishing and hunting licenses available at 

Evart Pro Hardware

Andy Bogulski ,of Evart , produces deer scents. (www.blackwidowlures.com). 

Captain Art from Steelhead Charters in Muskegon runs a year-round fishing charter service out of Pointe Marine in North Muskegon.  Available are a 28' Bayliner Contessa for Lake Michigan fishing and  scenic cruises, as well as a 17' Roughneck Jet Sled for river fishing. Check out his website at www.steelheadcharters.com.  

 GOLF COURSES

Also within easy driving distance of Evart are some of the championship-level GOLF COURSES that are fast making northern Michigan one of the most prestigious golf meccas in the Midwest.

Closest public courses are: