Tawas Point State Park
Tawas Point State Park is the “Cape Cod of the Midwest”—with 1876 lighthouse, 200+ bird species, Lake Huron beaches!
1876 Lighthouse
Historic Fresnel lens. Tours mid-May–mid-Oct. Climb for views!
Birding
200+ species! Prime spring/fall migration. Peak: May.
Camping
- 189 electric sites (20/30/50 amp)
- 1 yurt, 4 cabins
- Pet-friendly beach section
Best birding time?
May! Peak warbler migration.
Midwest Birding Paradise
Location & Getting There
Tawas Point State Park is located in Michigan. The park’s coordinates are 44.2486, -83.4581. Check the park’s official website or your state parks app for detailed driving directions and GPS navigation tips.
Quick Facts
- Location: Michigan
- Coordinates: 44.2486, -83.4581
- Activities: Hiking, Camping, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing
- Pets: Allowed on leash in most areas (check local rules)
Things to Do
Michigan’s state park system — one of the largest in the country — stretches across two peninsulas and four of the five Great Lakes, offering extraordinary variety. Activities include swimming on freshwater beaches that rival ocean coastlines for beauty, hiking dramatic sand dune bluffs with panoramic lake views, fishing for walleye, salmon, and steelhead in world-class waters, camping in pine and hardwood forests, kayaking along dramatic shorelines and through sea caves, mountain biking on extensive specialized trail systems, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling through pristine winter landscapes, and exploring historic lighthouses that dot the coastlines.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (June–August) is peak season with the warmest Great Lakes water temperatures and the best beach conditions. Fall (September–October) brings spectacular foliage, especially along the Lake Michigan shoreline and in the Upper Peninsula, where color peaks earlier. Winter transforms many parks into popular destinations for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. Spring can be chilly and muddy but offers great fishing as streams run high and wildflowers bloom.
Visitor Tips
A Recreation Passport ($17 for residents, $34 for non-residents) is required for vehicle entry — it can be added when registering your vehicle or purchased at park entrances. Camping reservations through the Michigan DNR reservation system up to 6 months in advance. Lakefront campsites at popular parks like Holland, Ludington, and Sleeping Bear Dunes area campgrounds sell out within hours of the reservation window opening. The Upper Peninsula parks are generally less crowded but offer a more remote and wild experience.
Explore More Michigan State Parks
Tawas Point State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Michigan. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Michigan guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
