U.S. 23 Highway Live Cam

• Tawas Bay U.S. 23 Highway

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Because of our area's seasonal beauty, the only difficulty will be deciding on your favorite time of year to visit

In summer, the forest and lakes are in their prime. Nowhere else is this season more soothing and mesmerizing than along the peaceful sandy beaches of Lake Huron. You can splash in the refreshing waters of Tawas Bay, or canoe, kayak and hike along the magnificent AuSable River, accompanied by bird song and flowing water joined in master symphony. With a collection of 36 streams and 44 lakes, the Tawas area offers a depth of solitude and lakeshore recreation possibly unparalleled among Michigan's coastal communities. Cycling, fishing, sailing, power boating and golfing offer an active escape. Experience the surge of feisty salmon or the challenge of a top-ranked golf course to transform your visit into an unforgettable adventure.

Trip takes you from Tawas to AuGres, West Branch/Rose City and along the River Road Scenic Byway to Oscoda. The total mileage for the route is 190 miles. The best time to visit is from late September to mid-October.

Autumn comes early, stays late and leaves impressions that last. It starts after Labor Day with a leaf, a streak of red, or an occasional tree, isolated and orange. It spreads along the ridgeline bordering the AuSable River as our warm Indian Summer days linger into crisp nights. You will find spectacular color displays from mid-September through the first half of October. The pattern of warm, sunny days with clear weather and vibrant autumn color create a perfect background for photography, hiking and fishing. As the colors subside, Lake Huron shows her might as the agitated October skies evolve into Òthe winds of NovemberÓ. This is what legends are born of. Lake Huron rages, throwing herself on the shoreline. Fabulous varieties of waterfowl, gulls, loons, hawks and owls pass along Tawas Point as they migrate toward their southern wintering grounds. Enthusiastic fishermen line the pier in East Tawas and enjoy excellent fishing for whitefish, steelhead and brown trout. This breathtaking change from season to season is fun, challenging and an unforgettable experience.

During the winter, nightfall settles quickly like a fine dust. Snowflakes fall thick and fast, piling into soft mounds on street lamps. In the nearby forest, powerful snowcat grooming equipment begins the nightÕs work, preparing trails for the next dayÕs skiers and snowmobilers. The Tawas area is a special winter destination, combining the beauty of the northwoods wilderness with peaceful solitude. Whether your winter adventure is on skies, snowshoes or snowmobile, you will discover that we offer some the finest trail networks in the Midwest. The award-winning Corsair Ski Trails offer 56 kilometers of interconnecting tracks accessed by any of three large parking areas and trailheads which service the extensive facility. Nearby, the Highbanks Ski and Snowshoe Trail follows a scenic bluff overlooking the historic AuSable River Valley. Snowmobilers enjoy excellent conditions on 94 miles of routes that connect Tawas with neighboring Oscoda and branch northward into adjacent Alcona and Oscoda county trail systems. You donÕt have to be a powerhound to fall in love with this place. Winter theatre productions and traditional music concert series keep our seasonal guests coming back year after year. We know how to celebrate a very special winter.

Springtime brings a fresh green, so clear and vibrant, you can almost hear the earth laboring to awaken, throwing wildflower blooms and buds onto every leaf and branch. Tawas Point State Park is well known as a birdwatchers' paradise. Over 290 species of colorful and delightful birds have been recorded during the annual April and May spring migration. The Tawas River and Tawas Bay provide excellent fishing experiences with a fine April steelhead run, closely followed by smelt and an abundance of walleyes. A fascinating world of nature awaits those who are willing to leave their car and walk just a short distance into the forest. Wildflowers, morel mushrooms, cascading streams, the scent of evergreens and the sounds of birds are best seen and experienced away from roads. The Tawas area is endowed with the beauty of the neighboring 220,000 acre Huron National Forest. In this enchanted woodland, you can take to the trail on walking paths that you can wander in less than an hour, or rugged wilderness routes you can trek for several days.