Tawas City: Shoreline Parks, Pier, and Tawas River

In Tawas City, different sides of the water come together: Lake Huron offers shoreline areas and an L-shaped pier, while the Tawas River also features places for fishing and nature observation. There are also opportunities for paddling, a non-motorized trail, and sports facilities. During your stay, you can choose between water activities, exercise, nature, and culture.

Lake Huron Shoreline and Paddling

At Shoreline Park, the 450-foot-long pier was extended by another 100 feet in 2021 to form an L-shaped pier. The park also has kayak rental lockers and a launch for non-motorized watercraft. It provides access for paddling in Tawas Bay on Lake Huron. The Shoreline Arts & Crafts Show is held annually at Shoreline Park over Memorial Day weekend—an occasion that brings together arts and crafts and time by the water.

Town Square is located within Shoreline Park. This 3.2-acre area offers almost 1,500 linear feet of uninterrupted Lake Huron shoreline. The area adds its own stretch of waterfront to the park’s water activities. If you’re planning a stay with views of the lake and shoreline, this offers a different focus from the fishing and boating areas along the river.

Riverfront, Fishing, and Wildlife Viewing

Gateway Park preserves the area at the mouth of the Tawas River for public access and a variety of recreational uses. It has a 300-foot-long, lighted, ADA-compliant fishing pier and a boat launch for two boats up to 28 feet long. There is also a designated area along the lakeshore where dogs can use the beach. The park therefore appeals to a range of interests: fishing, boating, and spending time by the water with a dog.

Veterans Park also has a boardwalk for fishing along the Tawas River. Consumer Energy River Access covers almost four acres in Tawas City and Baldwin Township. Visitors can observe all kinds of wildlife and fish along the riverbank. This makes nature observation another way to spend time by the river, alongside fishing, which is also available from the boardwalk at Veterans Park.

Trails, Views, and More to Explore

Anchor Park is on a non-motorized trail that extends from Alabaster Township to Baldwin Township. The park also has a large terrace overlooking Lake Huron. From there, visitors can watch the sunrise and relax. If you’d like to combine exercise and quiet moments on your trip, you can plan your day around these different activities.

The Iosco County Veterans Recognition Plaza features black granite monuments. For a focus on sports, there’s Independent Park, which covers 6.5 acres: it is a sports complex with the city of Tawas City’s main baseball field. The memorial and sports complex add two more facets of the area to the selection of waterfront and river locations.

Which Vacation Rental Is Right for Your Stay?

If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Tawas City, first consider what you’d like your vacation to focus on: Lake Huron and paddling in Tawas Bay, fishing and nature observation along the Tawas River, the non-motorized trail, or sports and culture. The different places offer a range of options for your outings.

You can also explore Oscoda for more destinations in this broader selection of places.

Return to the main travel overview: Iosco County.