A sand spit at the end of Tawas Point State Park forms Tawas Bay on Lake Huron. In spring and fall, the park becomes a stopover for hundreds of migratory birds. This is where exploring Iosco County begins, with two perspectives on the same coastal landscape: the visible line between land and water, and the seasonal changes that bring birds here to rest.
Coast, Bird Migration, and River Landscapes
Lake Huron Coastal Preserve brings together additional landscape features: old-growth hardwood stands, forested wetlands, and nearly a mile of Lake Huron shoreline. This landscape provides habitat for plants and wildlife. At the trailhead at the intersection of US-23 and Dyer Road, there is parking and signage; from there, visitors can access the paved Alabaster Bike Path Arboretum. Check parking and signage on site.
The Au Sable River also offers a broader perspective on the landscape: it is a major tributary of Lake Huron, and its watershed includes parts of Iosco County. Foote Pond Overlook offers a more specific vantage point: visitors can look out over Foote Pond from high sand bluffs. Nearby, they can watch eagles nesting there.
Trails and Scenic Overlooks
The 7-mile Highbanks Trail runs from Iargo Springs to Sawmill Point. The Iosco Exploration Trail is planned as a 44-mile route through several Iosco County communities; the full route is still in development. Its current endpoint is at Old Orchard Park on Cooke Dam Pond and may change as construction progresses. The trail offers access on foot and by bicycle to the Lake Huron shoreline and overlooks along the AuSable River.
It is important to distinguish between the two lengths: the seven miles refer to the Highbanks Trail, while the 44 miles refer to the planned overall route. At Iargo Springs Interpretive Site, an outdoor educational area focuses on the history, geology, plants, and wildlife of the surrounding area. Amenities include an accessible parking lot, an observation platform, restrooms, stairs, boardwalks, benches, and informational displays; check current availability before your visit.
At Foote Dam, access to the dam’s tailwaters offers steelhead and salmon fishing. Amenities include accessible fishing opportunities, parking, restrooms, and a boat launch; check availability before your visit. River Road Scenic Byway offers another route through the landscape: the 22-mile drive heads west from Lake Huron into Huron-Manistee National Forests.
Lighthouse, Museums, and the History of Technology
Tawas Point Lighthouse was in operation from 1876 to 2016. Visitors can climb its tower via 85 steps; the original fourth-order Fresnel lens remains inside. Site safety rules apply to the climb. The lighthouse’s history, its preserved lens, and the climb are all highlights.
Iosco County Historical Museum is housed in a home built in 1903 by James D. Hawks, the first president of the Detroit and Mackinaw Railroad. Exhibits explore local industry, families, culture, and traditions. Wurtsmith Air Museum offers a different focus: three hangars cover military and aviation history and display static aircraft, artifacts, equipment, and memorabilia from Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Cooke Dam Hydroelectric Plant is also part of the area’s technological heritage; it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
An Annual Tradition
The Iosco County Fair has been a county tradition since 1944. The program includes activities for children, entertainment, food and merchandise vendors, agricultural competitions, livestock shows, and main-stage events. Dates and programming vary from year to year; if the fair is a key part of your visit, check the event dates for that year.
Explore more destinations: Oscoda, Tawas City, Chippewa County, Clinton County, Calhoun, Roscommon County, Wayne, Livingston.
For the broader travel overview: Michigan.
