Tawas Point State Park - Day Area

Near Tawas Point State Park, there are several excellent dining options. Barnacle Bill's is a popular bar and grill known for its casual atmosphere and great beer selection. Mangos Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Bar offers a vibrant dining experience with a wide range of Mexican dishes. For a more traditional American meal, Mr Jack'ss Sports Bar & Grill is a great choice, featuring sports events and live music. G's Pizzeria Bar & Grill is another favorite, offering pizzas and burgers in a cozy setting. Lastly, Route 23 BBQ provides delicious barbecue options with a casual, family-friendly atmosphere.

These restaurants cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, ensuring that visitors have plenty of options to enjoy local cuisine.

For accommodations near Tawas Point State Park, several hotels offer comfortable stays. The Tawas Bay Beach Resort & Conference Center is a beachfront hotel with amenities like a pool and multiple bars. The Harbor View Inn provides a more budget-friendly option with free breakfast and an indoor pool. For those seeking a resort experience, Crystal Sands Beach Resort offers cabins and cottages with free Wi-Fi. Another option is the Tawas Inn & Resort LLC, which offers a mix of inn and resort accommodations. Lastly, the Surfside Motel Marina Resort provides a charming, retro-style motel experience.

These hotels cater to different needs, from budget-friendly stays to more luxurious resort experiences.

Tawas Point State Park offers a range of amenities to enhance visitor experiences. The park features picnic areas with tables and grills, perfect for family gatherings or casual meals. There are also restrooms and showers available for those spending the day at the beach. For recreation, the park includes a playground, horseshoe pits, and a ball field, providing plenty of activities for children and adults alike. Additionally, the park is part of the Iron Belle Trail, offering access to extensive hiking and biking paths.

The Tawas Point Lighthouse is another notable amenity, providing historical insight and stunning views of Lake Huron. Visitors can also explore the nearby Lumbermen's Monument Auto Tour for more cultural and historical experiences.

The park's modern campground offers 193 campsites and four cabins, providing options for overnight stays.

Tawas Point State Park is a hub for outdoor activities. Swimming is a popular pastime, with both a day-use beach on Lake Huron and a campground beach on Tawas Bay offering warm, shallow waters. The park is renowned for birdwatching, especially during spring and fall migrations, with the Sandy Hook Nature Trail providing an ideal spot to observe a variety of bird species.

Hiking and biking are also encouraged, with access to the Tawas Bay Multi-Use Trails and the Iron Belle Trail. For those interested in history, tours of the Tawas Point Lighthouse are available during the summer months.

Additionally, the park hosts the Tawas Point Birding Festival, which celebrates the area's rich avian diversity.

Tawas Point State Park offers several accessibility features to ensure that visitors with disabilities can enjoy the park. The day-use area and campground have wheelchair-accessible restrooms and picnic areas. However, some trails, like the Sandy Hook Nature Trail, are not suitable for wheelchairs due to their sandy and uneven terrain.

The park's parking lots are generally accessible, and the Recreation Passport program does not have specific accommodations for disability access, but visitors can contact the park for more information on accessibility options. The nearby restaurants and hotels also provide wheelchair-accessible facilities, enhancing the overall accessibility of the area for visitors with disabilities.

Parking at Tawas Point State Park is generally accessible, with designated parking areas near the day-use beach and campground. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle access to the park, which can be purchased online or at the park entrance. The parking lots are typically well-maintained and offer ample space for visitors. However, during peak summer months, parking can become limited, so arriving early is recommended.

The park's proximity to East Tawas and Tawas City also makes it easy to find additional parking options if needed.

Tawas Point State Park is often referred to as the 'Cape Cod of the Midwest' due to its picturesque beaches and scenic shoreline. The park is a major migratory stop for hundreds of bird species, making it a hotspot for birdwatching. The Tawas Point Lighthouse, built in 1876, is a significant historical landmark and one of the few remaining Victorian-era lighthouses on the Great Lakes.

The park's location on a sand spit that forms Tawas Bay creates a unique environment with both sandy beaches and wetlands, supporting a diverse range of wildlife.

The area hosts the Tawas Point Birding Festival, which celebrates the park's avian diversity and attracts bird enthusiasts from across the region.

One of the main attractions at Tawas Point State Park is the Tawas Point Lighthouse, a historic Victorian-era structure that offers tours during the summer. The park is also a key stopover for migrating birds, making it a prime location for birdwatching, especially along the Sandy Hook Nature Trail.

Nearby, the Lumbermen's Monument Auto Tour provides a glimpse into the region's logging history, while the scenic views of Lake Huron and Tawas Bay offer breathtaking natural beauty. The park's unique sand dune ecosystem and wetlands add to its natural appeal.

For those interested in exploring beyond the park, the surrounding area offers a mix of cultural and historical sites to visit.