I came here to see the lighthouse and ended up coming back multiple times for so much more. Only $20 for an annual pass. The lighthouse is 150 years old and looks charming! I also enjoyed the Sandy Hook nature trail. I saw many birds, flowers, and a deer. I stopped at the beach to watch the kite surfers - so cool. This park offers something for everyone. read more

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The lighthouse is beautiful going up to the top is a beautiful view the people that worked there are very nice. The tour was very informative. And they do have a gift shop read more

Tawas Point State Park - Tawas point lighthouse - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

Visited this place after Labor Day. Hardly anyone there. Our dog loves the beach. Not only the water is calm, but also it's clear and sandy. Un read more

Tawas Point State Park - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

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We really enjoy the park, although the showers are a pain, especially for younger kids. You have to stand in the shower with them to keep the water running. The shower only stays on for 5 seconds, so you have to keep pushing the button to keep the water running. That's not enough time to even get your hair wet. read more

Tawas Point State Park was the destination for our annual friend camping trip this year. We try to pick a different state park or campground each year and our friend had mentioned this spot. We camped in early May and it was pretty chilly - it got down to the upper 40s the first night and was a bit rainy. There was a strong breeze off the water which made it feel colder. But we still had a great time and the campground was at about 1/3 capacity. When we arrived, the employees at the check in station were really friendly and helpful. Like most campgrounds, they had plenty of brochures for the area and campground maps. They also gave us a birding checklist! They told us that it's a great area for bird watching, so we had fun checking birds off. We did not see all 230 birds listed, but quite a few. The campground has electric hookups at most, if not all, sites, and is fairly small compared to some other parks we've visited. The spots were mostly grassy and decently sized. There's not a ton of shade here, so keep that in mind for sunny summer days. One of the bathrooms was closed while we were there, but the one that was open was clean. Shower facilities are available, and there is a camp host that has books and games to borrow, as well as free coffee on weekend mornings. The highlight for our friend's 2 year old were the playgrounds - there is one at the campground and another near the lighthouse. There's a small beach at the campground and a much larger one near the lighthouse. I really liked the yurt and cabins - if we came back to this park I'd try to reserve one of those, specifically one of the two cabins that overlook the lake. There's not a ton in Tawas, but there's fast food, a Walmart, a couple gas stations, and a very small downtown with some shops and restaurants. We typically like more options for afternoons outside of the campgrounds we stay at, but we enjoyed our time at Tawas Point State Park. read more

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Such a lovely state park that my friends and I camped at last weekend! It's definitely a super popular one, given it's wonderful location and proximity to so many awesome cities and things to do, so you'll find that throughout the summer months, it'll always be busy and full for the most part. For us, we booked a campsite at the far end of the campground, which was PERFECT for us! It was right by the path that leads to the Tawas Point Lighthouse, so it was just mostly foot traffic and a lot of people taking their dogs to the nearby dog beach down that same path a little bit, so we got to do plenty of people and dog-watching, which was a dream to us giant group of dog people! I love this campground as well for its wonderful beaches, both dog and human alike, the easy access to the lighthouse, and its proximity to Lake Huron! There were a ton of kite surfers on the big lake and a ton of beach to walk and relax on there. The weekend we were there was pretty windy, so Lake Huron was gorgeous, but the waves were pretty choppy and not conducive to swimming/laying out and enjoying the beach. Thankfully, Tawas Point SP also has a the entire Tawas Bay area lining the other side of the park, so you have your pick of beaches! The water on the bay side was way more calm and ideal for perfect beach days, so we got the best of both worlds here truly! A+ all around to everything this state park had to offer - water, trails, beaches, campsites, amenities - it was lovely! The town of East Tawas and Tawas itself was also wonderful and such a quick trip over with some cute restaurants and bars to take advantage of! I can't emphasize enough how wonderful this state park is. It's a new favorite of ours and we'll definitely be coming back to camp here soon! We had a lovely time with perfect weather conditions as well, so it was truly a perfect weekend! read more

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This park was great. Absolutely used the dog beach nonstop. Our site was a bit small but still had grass all over it. There was no shade but most state parks seem to be doing this. Someone from the park walked by our site and came up to us around 9 to ask if the "rowdy neighbors" were being to loud. We said "no, not at all" and had a short conversation with her. Then she went over there telling her that she had complaints and can hear them from 10 site down. We were the only people in that section that weekday in late October.... I also hate that you cant take your dogs on the full walk around the tip of the peninsula but you can take kids who were walking and climbing over everything, leaving trash behind. Makes Sense.. read more

I just used this location to park my vehicle and start my bike ride on the Tawas trail. Beautiful views of the Lake, flush toilets, changing room, foot wash station, bike rack, wind speed flag, pier and foot trails. I would definitely return. read more

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Decent trails. Nothing spectacular compared to other parts of the coast. Better lighthouses up north.

I come here to watch the birds during their migrations, take pictures, and mingle with nature. Sometimes there's no one else here. During the winter there's seldom more than a few people here. But during warm months this place is hopping! Great place! read more

A small state park and and large campground on the end of the long Tawas Point sticking out into Tawas bay. Insects, modern campsites with electric, lots of bathhouses with smaller lockable shower rooms--kept fairly clean. The staff is pretty good. The dumpsters are located far away from the camping areas. A serious issue is that the water in the lake is so high and a lot of the beach has washed away. They are trying to save the beach road with lots of gravel and rock placement, but it is a losing battle. Very pretty setting, about 5 degrees cooler than town, with a lighthouse. Bike paths. one trail for dogs. read more

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The beach here is massive and clean! This is one of my favorite places to explore during the warmer months. During the winter this is where people park to get out on the ice. read more

Beautiful !!! Even in the rain. The lighthouse was under construction but still beautiful. The ladies in the gift shop were very friendly. read more

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Tawas point state park is a really beautiful park in Michigan. The sites where we were located were on the small side but completely doable with our 33 foot RV. Electricity was very reliable, the washrooms were kept very nicely. There's a lighthouse at the end of the campground Just a short walk away. Unfortunately it was tick season and we had to keep an eye on our three dogs to ensure that they didn't have any unwelcome guest in their fur. This is a great campground for everyone families singles friends couples and even old farts like me. read more

A wonderful park that has a great beach and warm clear water. It has a beautiful lighthouse called Tawas Point Lighthouse. Due to covid, the lighthouse and the giftshop are closed. Ample parking is available. Those with a RV passport on their vehicle, this park is included. read more

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love the beaches fo sunning sea shell rocks on the beach the morning aun is great fir that tan read more

Tawas Point State Park - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

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Beautiful area and amazing view from the top of lighthouse! Lighthouse tour is a must if your out there!

My family camped in the yurt over Memorial Day weekend and we had a great time. The yurt sleeps six and includes a microwave, mini fridge, table and chairs, and a heater for those chilly nights. Outside you get a charcoal grill and fire pit. The bathrooms were clean. There is a lot to see and do in the area. You are a short drive from many stores and restaurants. read more

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This is a must place to visit. Great sand beach for swimming. There are bird watching trails and the Tawas Bay lighthouse. Peaceful time to visit in the evening to walk on the sand . read more

An awesome state park, accompanied by a beautiful old lighthouse. Admission is not free, unfortunately. To get into the park requires the purchase of a park pass, which is good for all state parks, I believe. To tour the lighthouse costs extra on top of the park pass, but is worth the money if you don't mind throwing away a few extra bucks per person. The property was lovely, with gorgeous trails, and is a good spot to check out spring through fall. It's a great spot to hike, walk or bike through. This area boasts some lovely scenic views, perfect for taking pics. There is a nearby beach area and a spot for camping as well. The lighthouse is a nice highlight, too, but the interior is closed off to tourists during the winter months. If you like lighthouses (mind you, Michigan is filled with them), then you probably don't want to miss out on seeing this one as well. It's not the most impressive of Michigan's historic old lighthouses, but it's definitely worth a peek. I happen to love old lighthouses (there's just something about them- I just have a weird thing for old lighthouses, but anyway...), so for me, it's worth the few extra bucks for admission. I've toured twice now and I can say that both times were worth the price of admission. There's a decent museum gift shop on the property if you want to pick up a souvenir or two as well. read more

Tawas Point State Park - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

If you have a state park sticker on your MI plate, you're in free. Its only $10 for a park pass. This gets you into any state park in Michigan. They have a lighthouse and a lot of places to explore. I think you can even explore the lighthouse for a few bucks. There's even a gift shop here. The beach isnt nasty at all until u walk waaaayyy down to no man's land then it smells and gets kind of mucky. On the main part of the beach, the sand is perfect, muck-free, beautiful water and scenery...My friend and i watched people kiteboard! On the right side of the parking lot is a dog beach. We took our little dog for a swim. This part is a bit gross, lots of very small fish skeletons floating around. By lots I mean there were hundreds washed onto the shore. But, it is a dog beach on this side...fido probably wont mind. read more

Tawas Point State Park - Watching kite surfing - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

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The lighthouse was beautiful. If you like off the beaten path lighthouse, this is a place for you to Visit. It was cold and rainy when we visited but it was well worth the experience. I would like to go back when the weather is nice and stroll the grounds. read more

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This is a great state park. Need to have the park pass to get back there (or buy it for $11). There is a nice campground off to the right, or if you go straight you can find the lighthouse, pavilion and beach. Lots of trails for running or biking. The beach is sandy but it was underwater when we were there because we've had a wet spring/summer. There is a charge to tour the lighthouse, I didn't ask how much because I had 2 small kids with me who I wasn't willing to take up. The gift shop next to the lighthouse sells the tickets. The pavilion has bathrooms, around the back is a great grille. It looked like they had boats to rent, I didn't investigate too much. read more

Excellent state park! The most beautiful lighthouse I have ever seen is here! Lots of hiking, swimming, camping and of course the beautiful and sacred Lake Huron! read more

This is a nice, well kept, State Park. We stayed for three nights and, though it was a bit cold, we enjoyed ourselves. The staff was friendly and helpful. Most of the camping sites seemed a little smaller than what were used to, but that didn't cause any issues. There are some nice walking paths, some paved and some not. We discovered a lot of other campers were birdwatching in the park, and after being there for a short time, we understood why. There are a broad variety of birds and If you're into light houses, they have a nice one here and it looks to be in great shape. read more

Tawas Point State Park - Tawas Point Lighthouse - May 2018 - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

What a gorgeous beach and natural area! We went there after the official end of tourist season, so we couldn't get inside the Lighthouse here, but we could walk around the grounds and could have picnicked if we liked. We also walked the 2-mile Sandy Hook nature trail, which is full of cool flora and fauna. Two miles doesn't sound like much, but a lot of it is dune, with un-improved trails, and it took us about 45 minutes to do the full loop. I'd reccommend this park to anyone who likes historic lighthouses, beach views or short hiking trails you can do in an afternoon. read more

Visited in late October. We could see a lot of beautiful orange butterflies near the lighthouse. The lighthouse had already been closed for the season, a little disappointing. The trail along the bay was very nice. read more

Tawas Point State Park - Parks Near Me - East Tawas, Michigan

Nice beach, seemed like a lovely park. It was really offputting that you have to pay to get in. Maybe this is something they do in all Michigan State Parks? All I know is that in Ohio it's free...that's what our taxes go for. A friend of mine had a wedding here, they only sectioned off a tiny part of the beach, whatever it's a public place that's cool I guess. What wasn't cool was all the rude people on the beach who had tents and their disgusting naked bodies set up right next to where her altar was. They didn't even bother to move their stuff over 10 feet, how rude. And then they just sat and stared at everyone during the wedding. So annoying. read more

This was a lovely park with some remote and isolated beach areas if you are willing to hike a bit. I would recommend coming to the pointe to watch the sunrise - it is well worth waking up early for. I am not sure which is better (reference Ohio comments below). In Michigan, the people that use the parks pay for the parks - hence the daily or annual fee options. It sounds like in Ohio, everyone has to pay whether they use the park system or not. read more

Your "park rangers" here are absolute trash. "Ranger" Tyler was his name. Absolutely rude and on a total power trip. Not sure why he thinks he is better than the rest of the world being a state park ranger, but it was not pleasant dealing with him on our stay. Don't come here if you want to have an enjoyable weekend in the evening. read more

Absolutely gorgeous hiking trails and beaches! There's a lot to see and do around here, from the lighthouse to the beautiful shorelines. This is a great place for biking, swimming, and all sorts of water sports. It's one of the best places to kayak in the area. A lot of the beaches get pretty crowded, but if you drive around a bit, you'll always find a quieter area. read more

I'm only giving the park a 3* because of the unfortunate beating the beaches in Michigan have gotten this year due to the rise in the water levels! There is a lot of a mess here because they have had to bring in rocks and more sand to actually try to protect the parking lots and some of the beach areas from more water damage. The Lighthouse itself is beautiful and is open only on certain days and times. I recommend checking either online or calling if you are wanting to visit the shop or go into the lighthouse itself. There are many bike trails and hiking trails as well, but make sure you are dressed for it as the ticks and biting bugs are all over right now-obviously due to excess water conditions. The park folks are super nice and helpful! Go early on a weekend and hopefully you will find a place to park-very limited spaces. read more

Amazing state park! There's a lighthouse in the same area near the campground and it's biking distance. The lighthouse is closed due to corona crap, but it's still pretty to look at. There's some trails and stuff you can go on, and they have a dog beach, and a regular beach where you can swim. I do recommend coming here at sunset because it's stunning. The state park is beautiful! There's no trash, anywhere it's super clean, the lake is absolutely beautiful, especially at sun down. You can have a view of the lake, on your campsite or there's a small beach you can go to swim. The bathrooms are really clean, but the showers suck. They go off every 15 seconds but I understand water conservancy. You do have to wear a mask to go to the bathroom, in case you don't like wearing a mask. There's no one strictly there to enforce it, there's just a sign. But if the park rangers are nearby, they won't let you in without i,t, so. This is the most beautiful state park I've ever visited. I love it, I totally recommend! read more

This is a state park and you do have to pay for enterence. If you have MI park plate, which costs $10 when you renew your tags, you can get in for free. Well worth the $10 as you can use it for all state parks in the state. Tawas in home to a gorgeous beach and all natural area. It's perfect for relaxing, walking, watching sunrise, playing in the sand, reading, investigating the area and photographing. If lighthouses are your thing, there's one there for you to check out. You can visit inside the lighthouse, which is set up like a mini museum. You can also walk the grounds. Bring a camera. All of this is perfect for a photo op. Bring a lunch, take a picnic. Also, bring walking shoes and take the the 2-mile Sandy Hook nature trail. It's well worth the walk. Also, you can bring your pets into the park, but they are not allowed on the beach. There are sings where the docks and sidewalks are heading out into the beach area. Aside from that, there are a lot of pet friendly places in Tawas. read more

Beautiful campground. First, the location! Right in Lake Huron. Direct access to the beach. Next, a pet-friendly beach! Next, alcohol permitted (not allowed in Pennsylvania or Ohio campgrounds). We're in a tent, but next time I would reserve one of the mini cabins. Two of them are on the beach, looking at the sunset. read more

Gorgeous state park. Situated on a peninsula. Beautiful views all around. A little crazy cause it's a state park but not enormous, so that helps. Windy! Tawas has some of the best kite boarding around due to the confluence of factors that bring the winds into this area. Make sure to tie down your stuff especially if a storm blows through. We had great relaxing days sitting the shallow waters off the beach- 2 feet deep water 1/3 mile out! They have kids programs twice on most days. We went on a bat hunt at dusk. The kids loved it! They also have a dog friendly beach area. read more

I've Both tent camped, and rented one of the main cabins, for an extended period; and thoroughly enjoyed my stay every time. The Family and Grandchildren, have swam in the waters, walked the trails and picnic in the "Day - Use" area's countless time's. A Very Nice park. read more

I LOVE this park especially when there is an overcast. Meaning less people and amazing wind and waves although, you cannot go swimming in the water at that time. The sights are beautiful and the park is small so older people can enjoy it also. it is great for photography and Family picnics and lots of nature to relax in. For music lovers and party people they do play music at the beach on certain days of the week. read more

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Went to this state park last weekend - what a great beach!! A ranger told us about a perfect spot on the beach - it was very quiet and comfortable for my family... The water was clear and the beach was sandy... Thanks! read more