Discover Alcona County: Lakes, Coastline, and Special Excursion Destinations

Alcona County combines the shores of Lake Huron with lakes, river landscapes, historic structures, and seasonal events. The US 23 Heritage Route runs along the Lake Huron shoreline through Alcona County. This gives the region a variety of reasons to visit: You can discover lighthouse history, explore paths along the water, go fishing, or plan your stay around a summer event.

Lake Huron, Lighthouse, and Heritage Trail

One notable destination is Sturgeon Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1869 to warn boaters about a reef extending 1.5 miles into the lake from Sturgeon Point. Its tower is 70 feet high and features a Paris-made third-order Fresnel lens. These details make a visit especially interesting for travelers who want to combine scenic landscapes with the history of technology.

Harrisville State Park is located on the sandy shore of Lake Huron. A 2-mile paved Heritage Trail runs through the park and connects it to Harrisville via Third Street. At the southern end of the day-use parking area, there is also a boat launch for boats that are carried to the water by hand. Those looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Alcona County can therefore consider whether lakeside walks, an excursion on the Heritage Trail, or a stay with their own daily itinerary should be the focus.

Lakes, Rivers, and Special Nature Experiences

Hubbard Lake is another regional destination. The lake covers 8,850 acres. Hubbard Lake is home to northern pike, rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, and walleye. This variety of species makes the lake an exciting subject for travelers interested in bodies of water and fishing experiences.

Public fishing is available at Mill Pond, which is also stocked with trout. A waterwheel and a small waterfall are located at the Mill Pond dam. Visitors can feed fish at Cedarbrook Trout Farm. This allows quieter nature observation and hands-on experiences centered around the water to be included in the travel plans without limiting the stay to just one activity.

Another landscape area is a 1,100-acre park situated on the historic floodplains of the Au Sable River above the Alcona Dam. There are three miles of riverfront on each side of the river. When choosing accommodation, this distinction between lake, river, and park can provide useful guidance: The key consideration is which type of landscape you would most like to experience during your trip.

History, Events, and Local Impressions

The Lincoln Train Depot was built in 1886 by the Detroit, Bay City and Alpena Railroad. The Alcona County Fairgrounds host the Alcona County Fair and are also known as the Alcona Recreation Area, or ARA for short. Thus, both railroad history and an event venue contribute to the thematic diversity of Alcona County.

Seasonal dates can also shape the character of a trip. The Sunrise Side Wine and Food Festival takes place every year in July. During the summer, various activities and the Harrisville Summer Concert Series may take place at the Harbor Pavilion. If you choose your vacation rental or vacation home based on your own interests, you can consciously combine days in nature, historic sightseeing, and a possible event date.

Which Accommodation Location Suits Your Trip?

For a trip involving different interests, it is advisable to determine your main priorities before looking for accommodation. Someone who mainly wants to experience Lake Huron, Harrisville State Park, and the Heritage Trail will plan differently from someone who wants to focus on lakes, fishing, or river landscapes. Those interested in culture can consider Sturgeon Point Lighthouse and the Lincoln Train Depot; families who enjoy discovering things together will find several possible excursion opportunities in the waterways, parks, and seasonal offerings. A vacation rental in Alcona County can be just as suitable as a vacation home, provided that the location and travel plans match the desired experiences.

More Destinations in the Surrounding Region

For further orientation, you can also explore Presque Isle County, Livingston, Houghton, Alger County, Dickinson County, Roscommon County, and Grand Traverse.

For the higher-level travel overview: Michigan.