Tawas City sits on a broad bay of Lake Huron, in the heart of what local tourist associations call the "Sunrise Side" of Michigan's lower peninsula, as the shoreline can offer spectacular views of the sunrise for those willing to hit the beach early enough to witness it. The area hosts one of the most popular state park campgrounds that juts into Tawas Bay, and numerous modern and rustic campsites along Lake Huron and in the Huron National Forest.
On Lake Huron's Shore
Tawas Point juts out into Lake Huron the northern edge of Tawas Bay, and at its tip is the historic Tawas Point Lighthouse, the landmark of Tawas Point State Park. The park takes up 183 acres on the narrow strip of land, with 183 modern campsites and one camper cabin located on the bay side of Tawas Point. In East Tawas is the city-owned East Tawas City Park, a mostly RV park adjacent to the bay and the downtown shopping district. Reservations are encouraged for both parks. Several private campgrounds are located just outside of Tawas.
Tawas Bay
Several miles of sandy beaches stretch along Tawas Point to offer swimming in the warm waters of the bay on one side, or in the cooler waves of Lake Huron on the other. The large, sheltered bay is renowned for its favorable conditions for sailing. The Tawas Bay Yacht Club, located near the state park, sponsors races throughout the summer, drawing local sailors and some from around the world. The bay is also popular with sports fishermen looking for pike, walleye, perch and smallmouth bass. Launch sites are located near the state park, and boats can be moored off the campground's shoreline. The East Tawas State Dock and several private marinas along the bay offer sheltered anchorage.
Bikes and Hikes
The cities of Tawas and East Tawas have several miles of paved bike paths, including a 7.7 mile path from the Tawas City limits to the Tawas Point Lighthouse. Tours of the lighthouse are available. For hiking, the Huron National Forest north of Tawas offers 240 miles of trails in the deep woods and high bluffs overlooking the AuSable River. The trails include the eastern end of the Michigan Shore-to-Shore Trail.
Primitive Camping
Dispersed camping on undeveloped sites is allowed in the Huron National Forest along its trails and on the banks of the AuSable River. TouringMichigan.com places the 102 designated sites along a 55-mile stretch of the AuSable as second on its list of the top 25 Michigan Campgrounds. The AuSuable is a major destination for canoeists, and trips can range from one day paddles to week long adventures.
Marathon Canoeing
The highlight of the canoeing season on the AuSable is the grueling 120 mile AuSable River Canoe Marathon held annually at the end of July. It begins at 9 p.m. in Grayling and ends with the first racers crossing the finish line 14 hours later in Oscoda at the mouth of the AuSable. The race can be grueling for spectators, too, as hundreds of people follow the racers through the night, crowding bridges to cheer on the racers as they paddle past, then racing themselves back to their cars to get to the next vantage point.
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