Tawas Point State Park

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71 Tawas Point State Park

wildlife viewing | directions and facility information

Photos: aerial, Wolf, MI DNR; lighthouse and lake view © Phil Seng

Photo: Wolf, MI DNR

True to its name, this site sits on a point that sticks out into Lake Huron. Narrow, sandy beaches line both sides of the point and an interpretive trail runs from the campground to the tip of the point.

Wildlife Viewing

monarch
The monarch butterfly is probably recognized by more people than any other butterfly in North America. Birds and other predators quickly learn to avoid eating monarchs because their steady diet of milkweed sap makes them taste terrible.
Photo: David Kenyon, MI DNR

Because it sticks out from the surrounding shoreline, Tawas Point is attractive to waterfowl and shorebirds. See large concentrations of these birds from early March through May. Watch the Lake Huron side of the point for shorebirds and the Tawas Bay side for waterfowl. During May, you may also see other kinds of birds migrating north including broad-winged hawks, turkey vultures, warblers, and blue jays. But birds are not the only kinds of animals that migrate. In mid-August, monarch butterflies often congregate on the Point to rest as they make their annual journey south to Mexico for the winter.

Directions

From East Tawas take US-23 north one mile to Tawas Beach Road. Turn right (east) and proceed about 2.5 miles to the park entrance on the right side of the road.

Ownership: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (989) 362-5041

Size: 200 acres

Closest Town: East Tawas

Weather and Driving Directions for East Tawas

Plan Your Trip with travel.michigan.org!

More information can be found by visiting the DNR's site (link leads to web app allowing users to search for campgrounds, harbors, trails and more), or by conducting a Google search:

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