Harbor Beach hugs the shore of Lake Huron on the eastern side of Michigan's Thumb in Huron County, an area defined by friendly small cities and an active outdoor culture. Harbor Beach provides an ideal launch point for exploring the region's natural assets, lively beach towns and heritage highlights. There's something fun to do or see year-round in this Great Lakes playground.
Paddle Lake Huron
- For experienced sea kayakers, the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail provides a dynamic paddling adventure. The trail follows the Lake Huron coastline for 100 miles, from just south of Harbor Beach, around the Thumb, to Quanicassee. While there are 34 identified launch and landing points, Wagener Park, 5 miles south of Harbor Beach, is a good place to begin the adventure. The water trail showcases the shoreline's dramatic rock formations, caves and beaches. Beach towns along the route include Port Hope, Grindstone City, Caseville, Bay Port, Sebewaing and Unionville. They provide paddlers opportunities to dine and refresh and create multi-day experience.
Explore Maritime Heritage
- Harbor Beach is central to opportunities for enjoying Michigan Great Lakes heritage. A self-guided tour of the Thumb's landmark lighthouses starts with the Harbor Beach Lighthouse, accessed from the Trescott Street pier. Built in 1885, it stands 54 feet tall. Just more than 14 miles north of Harbor Beach, Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse stands sentinel at Lighthouse County Park at Port Hope. Follow Michigan Highway 25 about 12 miles to Port Austin to see the Port Austin Reef Light standing guard. Continuing along M-25 a little more than 18 miles leads to the Caseville Harbor Light. The total trip is less than 50 miles.Every July, the Harbor Beach Maritime Festival brings Lake Huron activities into the 21st century. The festival, which calls itself one of the largest personal watercraft celebrations on the planet, involves music concerts, sand sculpting contests, beach volleyball and frog jumping competitions.
Hit the Trails
- Whatever the season, area trails offer quality recreation. About 35 miles from Harbor Beach, the year-round Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum in Hume Township offers a stop along the Saginaw Birding Trail. Its 1.25-mile barrier-free pathway winds through dunes and swale habitat rich in plant and wildlife.Just under 39 miles from Harbor Beach, Sleeper State Park near Caseville provides active fun with hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and groomed cross-country ski trails. Its easy trail system allows novices to participate and build skills. Trails also offer access to the 2,200-acre Rush Lake State Game Area for additional treks.Miles upon miles of snowmobile trails wind through Huron and neighboring Sanilac counties, providing exhilarating winter riding through diverse winter landscapes. Thumbs Up Snowmobile Club grooms 100 miles of the area's system.
Camp
- Set up a tent or pull an RV into one of the area's prime campgrounds to experience life in the great outdoors. North Park Campground at Harbor Beach has 184 modern campsites within walking distance of town. Amenities include a playground, nature trail, softball fields and basketball courts.Five miles south of Harbor Beach, Wagener County Park Campground includes 96 modern and rustic campsites and eight rustic cabins, hiking trails, a sandy Lake Huron swimming beach, pier fishing and playground.Twenty-five miles from Harbor Beach, at the tip of the Thumb, Port Crescent State Park has 124 modern campsites. Its 640 acres includes 3 miles of beautiful Lake Huron beach along Saginaw Bay. Activities include hiking, swimming, birding, hunting and cross-country skiing.
