Most people start their road trip in East Tawas and head north toward Alpena and Rogers City, and that’s where I’d recommend kicking things off, too. (Although some like to do the entirety of US-23 starting at the Standish Historic Depot and ending at the Mackinac Bridge.)

What’s East Tawas like?

It’s the prettiest beach town on the Sunrise Side, kind of like Saugatuck but scaled way down.

There’s a harbor with a long pier, sandy beach, playground, and a tiny downtown with shops. A perfect place to stretch your legs, grab an ice cream, or watch the sunrise over Lake Huron.

Oh, and East Tawas has a Pronto Pup shack, which blew my mind. I wasn’t expecting that level of west-side fair food here, but I’m always down for a tasty treat.

Just outside of town, Tawas Point State Park & Lighthouse  is at the ready for anyone wanting those classic photo-ops, sandy swimming spots, or hiking trails.

The East Tawas Harbor and Pier are on Tawas Bay, just steps from the downtown dining and shopping district. This area is sometimes called the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” for its charming coastal scenery.

Want to grab a bite?  Route 23 BBQ serves up smoky meats, homemade sides, and portions big enough to share.

Land in Oscoda and you’ve found a little town that drops you right at the water, with the sandy Oscoda Beach Park front and center.

Oscoda is all about the Au Sable River and its quiet natural beauty. Scenic drives, boardwalks, and monuments make it a must-stop location along your Lake Huron road trip.

Oscoda sits on the north side of the Au Sable River, and the town of Au Sable is on the south side.

Driving west along the River Road National Scenic Byway takes you to the Au Sable River’s Lumberman’s Monument, a huge statue that overlooks the river and tells the story of the logging days.

All told, the Au Sable River winds through pine forests and opens up to sweeping overlooks with giant sand dunes towering above the water. It’s one of the best spots on the Sunrise Side to paddle, float, or just take in the view. Get a kayak, canoe, or rent tubes from Oscoda Canoe Rental.

Close by is Iargo Springs, in Huron National Forest. Stop for sweeping views of the Au Sable River Valley and to catch a glimpse of the cascading springs. Climb down the stairs to this popular spot with natural springs and wooden boardwalks.

This little harbor town is a perfect place to pause your Lake Huron road trip. Harrisville tiny downtown, quiet beaches, and the historic Sturgeon Point Lighthouse make it worth a stop for photos or a picnic. The lighthouse sits out on a rocky point and gives you that mix of lake and stone that defines this side of the state.

Want to give fishing a try? Throw a line in at Cedarbrook Trout Farms, or just stop by to feed the fish and watch them jump.

Harrisville State Park adds a beach and campground if you want to stay longer.

South of Alpena, you’ll find the delightfully odd and totally retro Dinosaur Gardens,  It’s one of those quirky throwback roadside attractions with giant concrete dinosaurs tucked into the woods.

This memorable stop in Ossineke, MI is in the midst of a glow-up in 2025 (you can follow the renovation fun on TikTok as they bring this Michigan classic back to life.)

On your Lake Huron road trip along US-23 you’ll also pass the 25′ tall Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox statues. Find them in Ossineke at the southwest corner of US-23 and Nicholson Hill Road.

Negwegon State Park is more off-the-beaten-path than other Lake Huron road trip beach areas. We’re talking seclusion, wild trails, and beaches with no services, just sand and some of the clearest, bluest water on Michigan’s Sunrise Coast. Don’t expect a lot of amenities.

Want more time to explore? Stay at Paul Bunyan Family Campground. US-23’s giant Paul Bunyan and Babe statues are just around the corner, and the nearby Paul Bunyan Trail connects campground visitors to hiking and biking.

Alpena is the biggest city on this trip. Downtown is small, charming, and walkable, lined with shops and restaurants. It also has a surprisingly delightful mural game.

The city’s maritime history is highlighted all over downtown. Especially at The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, a free museum with hands-on exhibits and shipwreck history.

Alpena Shipwreck Tours offers glass-bottom boat rides that let you see “shipwreck alley” below for yourself.

Just outside of downtown in Alpena, more fun stops are waiting:

Starlite Beach has a sandy shoreline, playground, and a giant splash pad that kids swarm in summer. That giant dumping bucket is something else. You can also paddle to four shipwrecks from here.

Island Park sits nearby with trails, boardwalks, and kayak rentals in the backwaters.

The Besser Museum covers local history, science, and art, and outside you can dig through a rock quarry exhibit to hunt for fossils.

North of Alpena, Rockport State Park (State Recreation Area) is packed with natural and historic features. From a deep-water protected harbor to a 300 acre limestone quarry, there’s no shortage of outdoor adventure here. It’s also so remote it’s an official Dark Sky Preserve with amazing night skies.

Inside the park, you can access Besser Natural Area, where you’ll find virgin pines and a former limestone quarry. The ground is scattered with fossils that you can chip out and take home. Or, climb up the giant pile of limestone to get a great view of Lake Huron.

It feels a little wild and undiscovered, which makes exploring here extra fun.

Not a fan of rock hunting? No problem! From rugged trails to sandy beaches, there’s a lot to do here other than hunting for fossils.

• Hit the trails for hiking and mountain biking (or snowshoeing and snowmobiling in the winter.)
• Kayak from the boat launch
• Fish off the pier
• Swim or snorkel – you might even be able to see a shallow shipwreck near shore if the water’s nice.

Hot Tip: Get a Michigan Recreation Passport to access all state parks and state recreation areas for free!

One reason the coast around Presque Isle is littered with shipwrecks is that the first lighthouse, built in 1840, just wasn’t up to the job.

The tower of the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse was too short to push its light far enough over Lake Huron, so ships kept running into trouble. Eventually it was retired and turned into a museum, and a much taller replacement was built so the beam could reach farther and guide vessels safely past the shoreline.

Today, New Presque Isle Lighthouse stands proud as one of the tallest lighthouse on the Great Lakes. You can climb the 130 steps for amazing views from the top. There is also a museum, gift shop, and keepers house.

Presque Isle Harbor, a short drive from Alpena, was once one of Lake Huron’s key shipping hubs.

Today, it’s a stunning waterfront spot where you can see historic lighthouses, walk the pier, watch fishermen haul in giant catches, or just kick back and enjoy one of the prettiest harbors on Lake Huron.

Keep driving north along the Sunrise Coast and you’ll end up in Rogers City, home to the world’s largest open-pit limestone quarry and the Port of Calcite.

We know you’ll definitely want to stop to explore the town and it’s sausages – get the $3.99 brat in a bun at Nowicki’s Sausage Shoppe, a local staple that’s been smoking meats for generations.

Just outside of town, P.H. Hoeft State Park gives you another beach and a campground if you want to end your trip under the stars. It was closed for the 2025 season so be sure to check the website ahead of your visit.

Travel a few miles farther north on US-23 to visit 40 Mile Point Lighthouse Park. This will be your 5th lighthouse on the Lake Huron road trip if you’ve visited every stop we suggested so far. Also, you should win a prize.

If you’ve got more time near here, Ocqueoc Falls State Park is just 15 minutes west of Rogers City on M-68. It’s the only place in Lower Michigan where you can swim in a waterfall!

Get your Michigan Recreation Passport ahead of time to get into all the state parks you visit for free!