Tawas Point State Park
East Tawas, MI
Tawas Point State Park sits at the end of a long sandy spit that curls into Lake Huron and wraps around Tawas Bay, which is why people call it the Cape Cod of the Midwest. There are about two miles of sand, a shallow designated swim area, and the white Tawas Point Lighthouse at the tip. Birders flock here in May when migrating warblers stop over.
Two waters, a lighthouse, and warm shallow swimming, the tradeoff is full lots on summer weekends.
How we score beachesWalk the Sandy Hook nature trail to the very tip of the point. You get Lake Huron on one side and calm Tawas Bay on the other.
A Michigan Recreation Passport (or nonresident pass) is required; the lot fills on hot summer weekends.
The day-use lot sits close to the swim beach; the trail to the tip is soft sand in places.
The bay side warms early and stays calm, making it one of the best swim spots on Lake Huron by July. Lighthouse tours run roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day.
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