Operator's Village Day Park at Hardy Dam — Attraction in Big Prairie Township

Great little park right by the Hardy dam, on the southeast end of it. This has a little beach and a couple picnic tables, and a really cool old turbine from the hydroelectric plant. I imagine this would be fine for swimming, as the shore is a little sander here than most of the rest of the pond, or great for a picnic and a nap in the sun.

Also, you can hop on the Dragon Trail bike trail from this park. You go across the road and ride the sidewalk north along the west side of the road as you go over the bulwark. If you choose to do this, please be aware: the metal posts that hold the guard rail each have a flange that sticks out right at shin/knee level when you're riding your bike! My friends and I rode across just fine, but it was narrow enough that all I was thinking about was not busting my shin on one of those posts!!! But once through that narrow section, it's a quick hop back to the other side of the road to pick up the dragon at its official trailhead.

Parking here requires a newaygo CO parks pass, which is $7/day or 35 (I...

Really nice park next to the dam. The beach area is clean and nice. There is a really nice pavilion with picnic tables and outdoor grills. Bathrooms (although they are more like glorified outhouses) on site. We were camping in the area and took our kids here to go swimming several times because the beach was so much nicer than the...

Small-ish place but the historical signage was well done and the building foundations were neat to explore. Also the giant turbine was cool to look at. Of course the main draw is the view at the top of the dam with it's stunning water. It was well keeping and great to see. Someone is doing a great job maintaining this picturesque...