Newaygo State Park is a 99-site rustic campground, which sits atop 20-foot embankments overlooking the Hardy Dam Pond, a six-mile flooding of the Muskegon River. The park caters primarily to campers, anglers and recreational boaters. There are several picnic sites overlooking the reservoir for day users. The campground is nestled in oak and poplar forests and is noted for its large, private sites and scenic beauty. There is a 20-30 foot forested buffer between sites, and each site is provided with a picnic table and a fire ring.

The park's protected harbor and easy access to the Hardy Dam Pond attract many recreational boaters, water skiers and anglers each year. Water levels on the reservoir can be maintained at a high level in contrast to the declining water levels of the Great Lakes. The access site parking lot holds about 65 vehicle/ trailer combinations and alleviates traffic congestion on the park roads.