In operation from 1876 to 2016, Tawas Point Lighthouse is a fascinating attraction for maritime buffs. Tawas Point is a destination for birdwatchers; it also offers spectacular views of sunrises over Lake Huron and sunsets over Tawas Bay.
The lighthouse visitors see today is the second built on the point. Due to accretion, Tawas Point keeps growing. The first lighthouse was built in 1853, near the present park entrance. The point quickly grew and by the 1870s the lighthouse was more than a mile inland. Increased shipping traffic in Tawas Bay meant a need for a more effective lighthouse. The second lighthouse, built in 1876, marked the entry to Tawas Bay and warned mariners away from the shallow waters.
Today, the lighthouse is once again more than a mile from the tip of the point. So, in 2016, the Coast Guard turned off the light in the tower and placed a modern light on a pole at the end of Tawas Point.
Guests to the lighthouse can go on a guided tour with a volunteer lighthouse keeper through the museum and are welcome to climb the 85 stairs up the tower for a breathtaking view of Tawas Bay and Lake Huron. The original 4th order Fresnel lens remains in the tower for visitors to see!
686 Tawas Beach Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730
Phone: 989-590-1554
Email: MHCinfo@michigan.gov
Lighthouse tours admission:
Tours on Tuesday and Wednesday are by donation.
Please allow two hours for your visit. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the park.
Tawas Point Lighthouse will open June 3 on the following schedule:
Please note that the last tour is at 4 p.m.
The lighthouse is approximately 475 feet from the parking lot; the path is asphalt, then brick. Access to the tower is by 85 steps. Visitors who wish to tour the museum area without going to the top of the tower will encounter a total of seven steps and accompanying handrails. Information will be made available in Braille, if lighthouse staff is given advance notice. Service animals are always welcomed.
Please be aware of the following safety rules for climbing the tower of Tawas Point Lighthouse:
Immerse yourself in history and become a lighthouse keeper! Keepers help greet visitors and give tours of the lighthouse.
The Michigan History Center runs a variety of sites and museums across the state. There's always more history to explore!
