Anderson Flats Boat Launch

The grade on this ramp is no joke — it drops off fast and deep right at the water's edge. Great for getting a boat in quickly, but if your tow vehicle doesn't have much traction, a wet day could make retrieval interesting. Take it slow backing down.

This site floods annually, usually during spring snowmelt. The ramp and parking area can be completely underwater in March and April. Don't count on launching here until the Muskegon settles back down, typically by mid-May depending on the year.

Only 15 trailer spots and they're across the street from the ramp, which adds a little awkwardness to the routine. On summer weekends when tubers and kayakers are pulling out here, it gets tight. Weekday mornings are a different world — you'll practically have the place to yourself.

This is a go-to endpoint for float trips starting near downtown Newaygo. Expect a crowd of tubes, kayaks, and rafts stacking up on summer afternoons, especially Saturdays. If you're trying to load a boat on a trailer, aim for early morning before the river recreation traffic picks up.

You need a Recreation Passport or launch permit to park here — it's administered by Newaygo State Park. Easy to forget since it feels like a remote, no-frills access point, but they do check. There's an outhouse on-site, which is more than you get at a lot of Muskegon River launches.