5 Things to Do This Winter in Tawas City
Shandra Martinez
| 3 min read
Tawas City is a resort community nestled on the state’s sunrise coast. It’s located on one of the largest natural harbors on Lake Huron, tucked in along the shoreline of Tawas Bay as it winds inward from Saginaw Bay. It is named for Chief O-Ta-Was of the Chippewa Indians. While the community is a popular resort town in the summer, its surrounding forests and trail networks offer plenty of opportunity for outdoor activity during the winter, such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. With Lake Huron, the AuSable River and numerous inland lakes, the area is also popular for ice fishing.
Located on the end of a sand spit that forms Tawas Bay along Lake Huron, Tawas Point State Park encompasses 183 acres of lakeside recreation. During the winter months, visitors can access the Tawas Bay Multi-Use Trails along Lake Huron, part of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail, or explore nearby historical, natural and cultural areas along the Lumbermen's Monument Auto Tour. The park is also home to the Tawas Point Lighthouse, which is the sole representative of a true Victorian-era style station on the Great Lakes.
Corsair Trail spans 28.3 miles of meticulously groomed one-way paths, featuring a range of landscapes from gently rolling, beginner-friendly terrain to challenging hilly sections. Meandering through the scenic red pine forest and tracing the course of Silver Creek in the Huron National Forest, the trail offers loops catering to both brief half-hour excursions and full-day adventures. Clear markers guide the way, thanks to the efforts of the Corsair Trail Council, who also ensure the trails are regularly groomed. The warming shelter is typically open on weekends.
Since founder Larry Hahn opened his shop in 1983, The Village Chocolatier has been an independently owned family business, hand-making fine chocolates. Using original recipes and the highest quality ingredients, current owners Allen and Jasmine Tubbs continue to offer gourmet hand-dipped chocolates, fudge and gourmet coffee. Also popular are the shop's hand-dipped raspberries, apples and other fruits.
The Huron Snowmobile Trail connects to hundreds of miles of trails across the state with five trailheads in Iosco County alone. Those looking for a snowmobile adventure can ride along the Grass Lake Road Trailhead, Tawas Area Trailhead, Sand Lake Area Trailhead, Liberty Road Trailhead for Huron Trail and Old State House Trail. There are 91 miles of the Iosco County Snowmobile Trail system, and 25 miles of snowmobile trails on National Forest Land in Oscoda Township.
5. Perchville Winter Festival (February)
This annual winter celebration in East Tawas is held the first weekend in in February. The event includes a ice fishing tourney, fish fry, cornhole tournament, "chilly" cook-off, parade, polar bear plunge and ATV barrel races. The upcoming Perchville USA in early 2024 will mark the 73rd year of the annual multi-day festival. The tradition began in 1950 as a plan to temporarily construct a town of colorful fishing shanties on the ice of Tawas Bay to draw tourists and fishermen to town and to give area businesses a boost during the winter.
There’s lots to see and do in Tawas City this winter. Check out the highlights in this video.
Photo credit: Getty Images
