Tawas Lake
Shallow lake
Calm, shallow lake paddling. Wind can stir it up.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Tawas Lake to Lake Huron at Tawas City
Tawas River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
One of Michigan's shortest rivers, running about three miles from Tawas Lake to Tawas Bay on Lake Huron. It's an easy, sheltered paddle right through Tawas City, with kayak rentals in town and the beaches of Tawas Bay at the end.
RegionSunrise Coast, Northeast Lower Peninsula
CountiesIosco
WatershedTawas Lake
Great Lake BasinLake Huron
River LengthAbout 3 miles
PaddleableAll of it
Best SeasonMay to October
MouthTawas Bay, Lake Huron, at Tawas City
Before you launch: the bay can turn rough
- Tawas Bay and Lake Huron: the river ends in open water. Check the marine forecast and stay near shore.
- Boats and anglers: watch for fishing boats near the mouth, and give the perch anglers on the beach room.
- Low bridges: the river passes under road bridges in town. Watch your head in high water.
- Cold water: Lake Huron stays cold into summer.
River History
The Tawas River links Tawas Lake to Tawas Bay, the sheltered harbor formed by the hook of Tawas Point. Tawas City and East Tawas grew up in the lumber era of the 1800s, when sawmills lined the bay and schooners loaded lumber for Great Lakes ports.
The towns became a summer resort area as the lumber ran out. The Tawas Point Lighthouse, built in 1876, still stands at the tip of the point. Today Tawas City runs kayak rental stations at Veterans Park on the river and Shoreline Park on the bay, and the area is part of the Tawas Blueway on Michigan's Lake Huron water trail.
River Map
River Overview
The Tawas River flows about three miles from Tawas Lake to Tawas Bay on Lake Huron, running through Tawas City near East Tawas. It's slow and sheltered, and the mouth has a popular beach perch fishery.
Tawas Lake
A shallow inland lake at the head of the river.
Upper river
Short, slow channel through wetlands and neighborhoods.
Tawas City and Veterans Park
The river runs through town. Kayak rental station at Veterans Park.
Mouth at Tawas Bay
The river meets the bay near Shoreline Park.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Tawas River. The river is short and fed by Tawas Lake, so it's usually paddleable all season. The Pine River near Oscoda is the closest live gage in the area.
How to read it
Because the Tawas is so short and lake-fed, its level changes slowly. After heavy rain it runs faster and muddier.
At the mouth, wind and Lake Huron water levels matter more than river flow.
Paddling Character
Tawas River
Short and easy
Slow, sheltered water through town. Great for beginners and families.
Tawas Bay
Sheltered bay
Calmer than open Lake Huron, thanks to Tawas Point, but still open water.
Michigan Water Trails
Tawas City and East Tawas are on the Tawas Blueway, part of Michigan's Lake Huron water trail network. It includes shoreline routes on Tawas Bay and around Tawas Point.
Bay routes are open-water trips. Plan around the wind.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Iosco County
No dams
We didn't find any dams on the Tawas River.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Camping
Tawas Point
Tawas Point State Park
State park campground on the point between Tawas Bay and Lake Huron, near the lighthouse. A Recreation Passport is required.
Huron National Forest
Forest campgrounds
Huron National Forest campgrounds are a short drive inland.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Tawas Point is a famous birding hot spot, especially in spring migration, when warblers and other songbirds stop on the point. Herons, swans and ducks use Tawas Lake and the river.
Fishing
The mouth of the Tawas River has a popular beach perch fishery. Tawas Bay is known for perch, walleye and pike, and ice fishing in winter.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Check the marine forecast before paddling onto Tawas Bay.
- Watch for boats and fishing lines near the mouth.
- Stay near shore on the bay.
Rules, passes and private land
- A Recreation Passport is required at Tawas Point State Park.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Marine forecast checked before launch
Best Time & Access
Spring
Great birding at Tawas Point. Cold water.
Summer
The best time. Rentals are open and the bay is warmest.
Fall
Quieter town and good color inland.
Winter
Ice fishing on the bay. Not for paddling.
From Grand Rapids, Tawas City is about three hours northeast. Take US-131 north to US-10 east, then I-75 north and M-55 east to Tawas City.
Trip Planning
Easy loop
Rent or launch at Veterans Park, paddle up the river toward Tawas Lake and back.
Add the bay
On a calm day, head out the mouth and along Tawas Bay toward Tawas Point.
Weekend base
Camp at Tawas Point State Park and pair the Tawas with the Au Sable River near Oscoda.
Check before you go
Look at the marine forecast and rental hours.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. American Whitewater doesn't list the Tawas River, so it's rated Class I: easy water with no rapids. Wind on Tawas Bay is the main challenge.
Tawas River and Tawas Lake
Slow, easy water. Great for beginners.
Tawas Bay
Easy in calm weather. Wind builds waves quickly.
Quick Reference
| Source | Tawas Lake |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Tawas Bay, Lake Huron, at Tawas City |
| Length | About 3 miles |
| Dams | None |
| Main towns | Tawas City, East Tawas |
| Rentals | Tawas City stations at Veterans Park and Shoreline Park |
| Gage | None live |
| Water trail | Tawas Blueway, Lake Huron |
| Best season | May to October |
| Difficulty | Class I |