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Tawas Point Lighthouse

A lighthouse with a white tower and a red brick building attached.

Tawas Point Lighthouse

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!

Visitor Information

Tawas Point Lighthouse

686 Tawas Beach Rd, East Tawas, MI 48730

Phone: 989-590-1554
Email: MHCinfo@michigan.gov

Please allow two hours for your visit. Lighthouse tours cost $5, and a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the park.

Hours

Tawas Point Lighthouse, located in Tawas Point State Park, be open for tours on the following schedule:

  • May 8 - Oct. 21: Wednesday through Monday, 12 to 5 p.m. Last tour will start at 4 p.m.

The museum store will be open on the following schedule:

  • Sept. 6 - Oct. 6: Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Oct. 11 and 12: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit the park's website

Accessibility

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.

Tower Climb Safety

Please be aware of the following safety rules for climbing the tower of Tawas Point Lighthouse:

  • Beach attire is not permitted while climbing, this includes loose towels, open-toed shoes and flip flops.
  • Always have your hands free. You should not be carrying any belongings or children.
  • The climb is 85 steps up to the top with a narrow opening at the top, please gauge whether or not you are able to make this climb.
  • Do not touch the Fresnel Lens.
A group of people in the lantern room of the tower of Tawas Point Lighthouse.

Supporters

Friends of Tawas Point Lighthouse and State Park

The friends group is a non-profit association that assists the lighthouse and state park. The group helps with promotion, interpretation, preservation, outreach, education and more. The public can sign up to become a member of the friends group.
lighthouse keepers pose in front of Tawas Lighthouse on a sunny summer day.

Become a lighthouse keeper

Immerse yourself in history and become a lighthouse keeper! Keepers help greet visitors and give tours of the lighthouse.

Learn more about the program
A blacksmith talks to a young girl and a woman on the grass outside a old wooden building.

Looking for more history?

The Michigan History Center runs a variety of sites and museums across the state. There's always more history to explore! 

Visit all museums and sites

Amenities