Fall in Love with Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park
Boasting more than 120 lighthouses along its 3,200 miles of shoreline, Michigan has the distinction of having more lighthouses than any other state in the U.S. These towering lakeside lights have played a historic role in keeping the Great Lakes safe for nearly two centuries. One of our favorites is the Tawas Point Lighthouse, located at the end of a sandy peninsula that separates Tawas Bay from Lake Huron. Sometimes referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest," Tawas Point is especially beautiful to visit in the fall, when the dazzling autumn hues provide a stunning backdrop for a day of outdoor exploration.
Make Huron House your home for an amazing fall getaway and take a short, 15-minute drive south to Tawas Point to see the lighthouse and explore the state park, in all their colorful fall splendor.
Tawas Point Lighthouse went into operation in 1876 and continued to serve as a beacon until 2016, when it was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard. Today, the lighthouse functions as a museum and is available for seasonal tours. Visitors can climb the 85 steps up the spiral staircase to the lantern room at the top of the lighthouse for awe-inspiring views of Tawas Bay and Lake Huron. The lighthouse grounds also include an oil house, museum store and memory walkway.
While the lighthouse is the main attraction at Tawas Point State Park, there are plenty of other amenities to discover. The park offers 183 acres of lakeside recreation with a swimming beach, picnic area and nature trail along the picturesque Lake Huron coast. From the park, visitors can access the Tawas Bay Multi-Use Trails for hiking and biking, or explore nearby historical, natural and cultural areas along the Lumbermen's Monument Auto Tour. The park is also a stopover site for hundreds of migrating birds, making it a favorite fall destination for many bird watchers.
“Don’t forget that maybe you are the lighthouse in someone’s storm.” —Unknown
Tawas Point Lighthouse
686 Tawas Beach Road
East Tawas, MI 48730
517-930-3806
