Tawas Point State Park

08/11/2026

Our friend has been participating in the Hook, Line, and Sinker fishing program here at East Tawas State Harbor with our Explorer Guide and Harbor staff, and happened upon a nice Bowfin (Amia calva) the other day. We were happy to net it for him!

Tawas Point State Park and East Tawas State Harbor administer a majority of the State boat launches and fishing access sites in Iosco and Arenac County. Let’s see some photos of Iosco and Arenac county fish! Get bragging folks!

08/05/2026

Please join us in celebrating Tawas Point Lighthouse’s 150th anniversary and National Lighthouse Day at Tawas Point State Park, this Friday August 7th, continuing into Saturday August 8th. There will be plenty of fun events, history, crafts, and games for all to enjoy! This event is a collaboration between the Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park, Michigan History Center, and Tawas Point State Park and we all look forward to seeing you there!

08/05/2026

Did you know that the Tawas Point Lighthouse you see today isn’t the original? Built in 1853, the original lighthouse quickly became ineffective when a natural process called accretion — the gradual increase in land area through the accumulation of sediment, soil or other material — extended the point so far out that by the 1870s the structure was more than a mile inland!

To keep up with increasing shipping traffic in Tawas Bay, the United States Lighthouse Board broke ground on a new lighthouse in the spring of 1876. Construction was completed that November, and the new lighthouse shined its first light from its new location on the peninsula the following spring.

Now, 150 years later, you’re invited to join the two-day anniversary kickoff celebration, Aug. 7-8. The fun starts noon-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 — National Lighthouse Day — with yard games, lighthouse crafts, story time with Iosco-Arenac District Library staff and visits with partner organizations. Enjoy snacks and pick up some lighthouse merchandise provided by the Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park. Plus, admission is waived for the day, so you can check out this iconic lighthouse at no cost. The celebration continues Saturday, Aug. 8, with a free Lee Murdock concert, 7-9 p.m. Bring your picnic blankets, snacks and chairs to listen to the acclaimed Great Lakes musician and enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling.

This image, from 1913, is courtesy of the Coast Guard Historian's office.

07/23/2026

A big thank you to our Veterans for their service, as well as Pegasus Springs Therapeutic Riding Center and their volunteer captains for organizing Vets and Nets: an annual event where Veterans spend the morning fishing Saginaw Bay, returning to East Tawas State Harbor to clean and fry up some fish! We’re thrilled to have our facilities utilized by such fine folks and look forward to seeing them again!

07/07/2026

We had a great weekend honoring America’s Independence with you all! We hope to see you again soon as we continue celebrating Tawas Point Lighthouse’s 150th and America’s 250th! Stay in tune by following Tawas Point State Park and Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park on Facebook for updates and announcements regarding the celebration scheduled for August 7th!

04/22/2026

Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse - 2026 Native Plant Sale Event on May 16

For Additional Information: [email protected] or [email protected]," rel="ugc" target="_blank">[email protected], 989-545-1421

Native Plant Sale Returns May 16 - Get To The Point - Tawas Point!
April 20, 2026. East Tawas, Michigan. Back again by popular demand - Friends of Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse Native Plant Sale fundraiser will be held at Tawas Point State Park Lighthouse Pavilion, East Tawas, Michigan. Join us to see, learn about, and buy native plants for your home or business at this popular event beginning at 9 a.m. and while supplies last....no early sales available, please.

“There will be a good variety of plants for sun, shade, partial sun/shade, plants that like different soil types and moisture levels, and those blooms of interest for all seasons. All plants in the sale are perennials grown by Wild Type Nursery," said Organizer, Sunrise Side Master Gardener, and Friends Board member, Gloria Kershaw.

All plants will be Michigan grown and most are Michigan genotypes. The majority of the plants will be 2” or 2 1/2” pots priced at $4 and $6 per pot, and some quart pots will be available at $12 per pot. We will haves some shrubs and trees in gallon pots at $20 and $25, while supplies last. Payment may be made by cash, check or credit cards via PayPal.

Sunrise Side Master Gardeners will also be present to answer your questions and help with your selections. A list of plants, subject to availability, will be listed on the Friends page: Friends of Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse, and website: http://www.tawaslighthousefriends.com

Why should we care about native plants? Native plants have co-evolved with our native birds, bees, insects, and animals. They thrive in local areas and require fewer human inputs. Their long roots help rainwater soak into ground quickly, and their filtering ability helps protect our rivers and lakes from pollution. Native plants also replenish groundwater and create beautiful landscapes throughout seasons and provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects. Native plants give us a direct connection to nature and to plants. Even small additions of native plants improve the environment and benefit wildlife.

The fundraising and awareness event originated through a partnership between the Sunrise Side Master Gardeners and the Friends of Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse. Proceeds will help fund the ongoing Native Plant Projects and other special projects at Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse. Friends Board Member, Gloria Kershaw, continues to volunteer to do restoration projects near the lighthouse which began in 2017. The Friends group is a welcoming 501(c)3 organization established to assist the Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse. We invite you, your family, friends, and businesses to join us to preserve this special place called Tawas Point.

Like our Friends Group on Facebook at Friends of Tawas Point State Park and Lighthouse to learn more about exciting State Park and Lighthouse events. Visit the website at http://www.tawaslighthousefriends.com or [email protected]

A DNR Recreation Passport for your vehicle is required to enter all Michigan State Parks and Waterways and can be purchased at any State Park entrance

Send a message to learn more

04/22/2026

All of our Boating and Public Access Sites along the Au Sable River below Foote Dam and Van Etten Lake have been reopened. Please take caution, as water levels are still high. Our steel skid pier at Lower Foote Access is evidence of the river's power (and is now righted and readjusted with our tractor).

04/15/2026

Au Sable River Flood closures

Due to safety concerns from current flood conditions, the following Boating Access Sites are temporarily closed to use from the public until water levels recede and damage is assessed:
-Upper Foote Dam Public Access Site
-Lower Foote Dam Boating Access Site
-Au Sable River Scenic Overlook (Highbanks)
-Van Etten State Forest Campground Boating Access Site