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Tawas Point State Park
Nearby Parks:
Tuttle Marsh National Wildlife Area
Huron National Forest
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Tawas Point State Park
686 Tawas Beach Road
East Tawas, Michigan 48730
Phone: 989-362-5041
Reservations: 800-447-2757
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Area Accommodations
Area Places to Eat
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Reservations: |
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Reservations: 
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| State Park Overview: |
| Tawas Point is located off US-23, 2.5 miles southeast of East Tawas on Tawas Beach Road. It is just over an hour drive from the Tri-Cities and only three hours from the Detroit area. The park contains 183 acres situated on the end of a sand spit that forms Tawas Bay. It has been referred to as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest." The campground is located on Tawas Bay where the water is shallow and warm for swimming. Located within the park is the Tawas Point Lighthouse. Although it has been remodeled several times, the station serves as the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station built on the Great Lakes. Metal detecting area. Tawas Point State Park now has a new camper cabin located on Tawas Bay, the cabin sleeps six. It has two bedrooms, each with its own set of bunk beds, a fold out couch and cot in the living room/kitchen area. The living room/kitchen comes equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, shelves for storing your dishes and supplies, a counter with stools, and a vacuum cleaner. Outside the cabin are a couple of Adirondack chairs for watching the bay, a fire pit, picnic table, and a large grill. Visitors will need to bring bedding, dishes and cooking gear. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| Tawas Point is a stop over point for hundreds of species of migratory birds, and it is a favorite spot for many bird watchers from all over the midwest. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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Written by Adam
15-Jun-2008
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awesome beaches!
Tawas Point State Park is very family orientated - Celebration Days in June - Halloween as well as Christmas activities are free and so much fun!
Written by kelly
1-Jan-2009
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Our favorite park
Our family has been to Tawas point state park every year for the past 8yrs. We love it.
Written by Jen
17-Aug-2009
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| Camping: |
| Tawas Point-Modern(800) 447-2757 193 site(s)Electrical Service, Mini Cabin, Modern Restrooms, Playground |
| Trails: |
| Located on the end of the point is the Sandy Hook Hiking Trail. The trail offers two-miles of guided hiking with interpretive stops along the way. The trail is designated for hiking only, bicycles and pets are prohibited.
Tawas Point-Lumbermen's Monument Auto Tour Trail Length: 68.00 (Miles)
Tawas Point-Sandy Hook Nature Trail Trail Length: 2.00 (Miles)Cross Country Ski, Hiking |
| Picnicking: |
| Children will love the playground and there are horseshoe pits, a ball field and an area for volley ball to enjoy as well. The park also contains a picnic area with tables and picnic grills. |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Tawas Bay has perch, walleye, brown trout, lake trout, northern pike, bass, coho and chinook salmon. In 1987 a limestone reef was constructed in Tawas Bay, and it has helped to make the Bay one of the best fishing areas around. The reef is 800 feet long and 25 feet wide. It is located along the northern side of the bay and provides a natural habitat for smaller bait fish, which in turn attracts larger predator fish. Since the construction of the reef, fishermen have found greater success in the walleye, pike, perch and smallmouth bass fishing. In the spring and fall. |
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| Area Accommodations |
| Hotels/Motels | |  | Comfort Suites Lakeside - Houghton Lake, MI
Located on the shores off of Michigan?s largest inland lake, Comfort Suites Lakeside offers a beautiful hotel, conference center, water park and restaurant. Take a pleasure cruise or use a number of available golf packages. We have you covered for all your accommodation needs.
Web Site: http://www.comfortsuiteslakesideresort.com/ |
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| Area Places to Eat |
| Restaurant | | | Comfort Suites Lakeside - Houghton Lake, MI
Located on the shores off of Michigan?s largest inland lake, Comfort Suites Lakeside offers a beautiful hotel, conference center, water park and restaurant. Take a pleasure cruise or use a number of available golf packages. We have you covered for all your accommodation needs.
Web Site: http://www.comfortsuiteslakesideresort.com/ |
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...vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental, etc read more.... |
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| Related Links: |
| Michigan's Sunrise Side - Birdwatching - Birdwatching and Wildlife on Michigan's Sunrise Side. ** Home Page ** Accommodations Antiquing Attractions Bird Watching and Wildlife Calendar of Events Camping/Parks Canoeing Chambers/CVBs Fall... |
| Area Attractions: |
| Lighthouse:
The Tawas Point Lighthouse, built in 1876, is equipped with a Frensnel lens built in Paris in 1880. It replaced the original Ottawa Point Lighthouse located near the present campground playscape. The lighthouse stands 70 feet above Lake Huron and the walls at the base are 6 feet thick. The Coast Guard station adjacent to the park on Lakeview Drive was also built in 1876 and is the only surviving example of the First Series Life Saving Stations built on the Great Lakes. Although it has been remodeled several times, the station serves as the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station built on the Great Lakes. In 1991 the Coast Guard built a new station just outside the park entrance and decommissioned the old station.
The Tawas Point Lighthouse museum store is located on the lighthouse grounds and is open May-October.
The lighthouse is open for tours on weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day. The tour offers a unique opportunity to walk to the top of the tower for a spectacular view of Tawas Point. Tickets are available at the museum store. For tour information please call (989) 362-5658.
Tawas Point Celebration Days is a family-oriented celebration of our American heritage held the second weekend of June each year. There are many activities offered for the entire family. Some of the activities include historical and educational displays, lighthouse tours, demonstrations of traditional crafts such as spinning, weaving, black-smithing, wood carving, children's activities, fishing derby, guided hikes, traditional music, period encampments with period dress. The weekend is sponsored by the Friends of Tawas Point State Park.
Tawas Bay itself has long been considered one of the finest sailing areas in the country due to the winds and protected waters. If you would prefer to fish, several nearby launches are available. Boats can be moored in the bay off the campground. A DNR-owned ramp is located on U.S. 23 behind the state police post. Many charter boats in the area are available as well. Ice fishing is also a very popular sport on Tawas Bay. In 1987 a limestone reef was constructed in Tawas Bay, and it has helped to make the Bay one of the best fishing areas around. The reef is 800 feet long and 25 feet wide. It is located along the northern side of the bay and provides a natural habitat for smaller bait fish, which in turn attracts larger predator fish. Since the construction of the reef, fishermen have found greater success in the walleye, pike, perch and smallmouth bass fishing. |
| Area Campgrounds | | |
| Directions: |
| Take US-23 N. through East Tawas and go E. on Tawas Beach Rd. 2.5 miles. From North: US-23 to Baldwin Resort Rd., left at stop sign on Tawas Beach Rd. |
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