Iosco County: Nature, Trails and History on Lake Huron

Iosco County combines the landscape of Lake Huron with rivers, wetlands, overlooks and a diverse regional history. Tawas Point State Park features a sandy peninsula that forms Tawas Bay on Lake Huron. In spring and fall, the park becomes a stopover site for hundreds of migratory birds. The Lake Huron Coastal Preserve also showcases the county’s natural side: old-growth hardwood stands, forested wetlands and nearly a mile of shoreline provide habitat for plants and wildlife.

Nature Experiences and Trails by the Water

Those who enjoy combining their trip with walks, overlooks and nature observation will find a variety of highlights. The seven-mile Highbanks Trail runs from Iargo Springs to Sawmill Point. The Iosco Exploration Trail provides access on foot and by bicycle to the Lake Huron shoreline as well as overlooks along the AuSable River. The trail currently ends at Old Orchard Park on Cooke Dam Pond. A 44-mile route through several communities in Iosco County is also planned for the Iosco Exploration Trail; this expansion is part of the planned development and should be distinguished from the route described today.

At Lumberman's Monument, you can learn more about the logging industry. Visitors can climb through a log jam, use a peavey and cut a wood disk with a crosscut saw. The Iargo Springs Interpretive Site focuses on the history, geology, and plant and animal life of the surrounding area. An observation platform, stairs, boardwalks, benches and information panels complement the outdoor educational area; there is also an accessible parking lot and restrooms.

For distinctive landscapes, head to the Foote Pond Overlook, which offers views from high sand bluffs over Foote Pond. Nearby, visitors may see eagles that nest there. Foote Dam has accessible fishing areas, parking, restrooms and a boat launch. The underwater areas below the dam are used for steelhead and salmon fishing. The River Road Scenic Byway offers another perspective on the region: The 22-mile route stretches westward from Lake Huron into the Huron-Manistee National Forests.

Lighthouse, Museums and Living History

Tawas Point Lighthouse operated from 1876 to 2016. Its tower can be climbed via 85 steps; the original fourth-order Fresnel lens remains inside. Guided tours with a volunteer lighthouse keeper also introduce visitors to the museum in the lighthouse. The Iosco County Historical Museum is located in a house that James D. Hawks, the first president of the Detroit and Mackinaw Railroad, had built in 1903. The exhibitions cover local industry, families, culture and traditions.

At the Wurtsmith Air Museum, military and aviation history, static aircraft exhibits, artifacts, equipment and memorabilia from Wurtsmith Air Force Base are displayed across three hangars. Another form of regional tradition is the Iosco County Fair, which has taken place as a county tradition since 1944. The program includes activities for children, entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, agricultural competitions, livestock shows and events on the main stage.

Which Accommodation Fits Your Trip Planning

When searching for a vacation apartment or vacation home in Iosco County, it is worth defining the focus of your trip. Nature observation and trails lead to different day-trip ideas than lighthouses, museums or the county fair. If you would like to combine different interests, you can use the landscapes and cultural attractions mentioned above as a basis for choosing within the region.

For further area planning, you can also visit Oscoda and Tawas City. The pages for Crawford County, Alger County, Wexford County, Osceola County, Alcona County and Presque Isle County are also available.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.