Tawas Area Hiking
One of the best ways to see Michigan’s Sunrise Coast is on foot, whether you want to tour the National Forest, take a day hike along one of the most scenic rivers in the world, stroll along a beach with your children or go backpacking along a stretch of the Lake Huron Trail.
Corsair Hiking Trail
Near Tawas City, the Corsair Ski Trails are nestled in the beautiful Silver Valley area, surrounded by the 120,000 acre Huron National Forest. The Corsair system is one of the largest groomed trail networks in Michigan. The 56 kilometers of interconnecting trails cross forest and meadows, hills and valleys. They take you through sunny open vistas, into hushed stands of sweet-smelling fir and towering hardwoods, and along the edge of winding ice-locked streams. The Corsair Trail Council operates and maintains the Corsair Skiing and Hiking Trail and the Highbanks Trails (both are located in the Huron National Forest).
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Tawas Point - Sandy Hook Nature Trail
Hiking This trail passes by the Tawas Point Lighthouse and reaches out to the very tip of the sandy point near the U.S. Coast Guard's Fog Horn. It takes about 90 minutes to explore the natural features found along the route.
Sandy Hook Nature Trail Map (PDF 162KB)
Pedestrian & Bike Path
With the opening of a brand new section of paved, non-motorized trail way through Alabaster Township last fall, the Tawas Bay Pedestrian and Bicycle Path now extends some 10 miles along Michigan’s Lake Huron shoreline. It offers a safe and scenic, off-highway route that shadows US-23 through Tawas and East Tawas, ending at one-of-a-kind Tawas Point State Park.
Tuttle Marsh
A 400-acre impoundment is at the heart of this site, which is surrounded by hundreds more acres of seasonally flooded wetlands. Tuttle Marsh has no facilities or developments, but visitors are encouraged to use the wetland dike as a hiking trail.
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Ingalls Forest
This 80 acre tract of land was donated by Leonard J. Ingalls. The donation was made with a stipulation that any profit from the property would be used to improve the land. The upland areas of The Ingalls Property have beautiful white oaks, red oaks, black oaks, red maples, red pines, and aspen trees. There are also amazing white pines reaching nearly 30 inches in diameter and 100 feet in height. Best of all, the south-west and north-east corners are moist lowland areas filled with large hemlock, yellow birch and cedar trees.
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Eagle Run Pathway
Working hand in hand with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other partners, the Forest Service has changed the "lands that nobody wanted" to healthy forests again. The Eagle Run Hiking Trail is located about 2 miles east of Oscoda on River Road. River Road is considered one of the most beautiful and scenic roads in the nation and just a few years ago, was declared a National Scenic Byway. The Eagle Run Pathway is in a remote setting that allows you to experience nature first hand.
Eagle Run Pathway Map (PDF 347KB)
Highbanks Trail
Highbanks Trail is a linear trail system along the AuSable River Valley with scenic back-country views of the river from the bluffs on the south shore. The trail is 7 miles long, ungroomed and camping is not permitted.
Visitors enjoy the abundant wildlife and may spot a majestic bald eagle. The trail begins 15 miles west of Oscoda with stopping points and parking at Lumberman's Monument, Canoer's Memorial, Sid Town and Iargo Springs. Highbanks is open year-round and there is no fee required to use this trail.
Highbanks Trail Map (PDF 81KB)
Iargo Springs
Located on the River Road Scenic Byway, this site, considered a holy place by native Americans, offers a breathtaking view of the AuSable River Valley from a 30' high observation deck. For the adventurous, walk down 294 steps and enter a mystical place where underground springs come together and form cold water streams. Walk along the elevated boardwalk and enjoy the serenity.
DISCOVER MICHIGAN'S SUNRISE COAST!
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