Discovering Michigan’s Thumb
Episode 1 - Driving Scenic M-25 - Lakeshore Rd
Welcome to the first episode of Discovering Michigan’s Thumb. Having grown up in Michigan’s thumb, I can sometimes forget how truly unique and beautiful this part of the country is and in this episode I’ll introduce you to the drive around the outside of the thumb on beautiful M-25.
The drive from Port Huron to Bay City is about 190 miles around the thumb of Michigan. Coming in from the southern part of the state, you will enter the city of Port Huron from I-94 Eastbound, where you will see the Blue Water Bridge. This is the bridge to Sarnia, Ontario and goes over the St. Clair River at the mouth of Lake Huron. In the future I’ll be doing a whole episode on Port Huron and things to see and do.
Once you make a left hand turn onto Pine Grove heading north, you will have your first decision to make. Do I take Pine Grove north till it merges with M-25 or do I take the first right at Garfield Street and head east to see Lighthouse Park where you will find the first of numerous lighthouses, The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse. Here you will find the oldest lighthouse in Michigan, it was built in 1829. The tower is now 82 feet tall and still operates almost 200 years after it first started operations(see show appendix).
Coming back out on Garfield, turn right onto Gratiot Rd where you will be driving along the shore and Gratiot will turn into Lakeshore Rd at Keewahdin Rd. Here you will stay on Lakeshore Rd heading north.
While the shore is built up with houses, there will be breaks that allow beautiful glimpses of Lake Huron. About 5 miles north of where Lakeshore and Pine Grove merge you will come to Lakeport State Park.
Lakeport State Park (see show appendix) is about 565 acres that straddles M-25. There are beautiful beaches, campgrounds, grilling facilities, and recreational opportunities. Please go to the state park website to see what is open, available, and events taking place. You do need a recreation passport to enter the park.
Getting back on M-25, you will head north and go 11 miles from Lakeport State Park and you will enter the village of Lexington. Lexington as a township in Michigan was formed in 1837 after President Andrew Jackson made Michigan a state. Here in Lexington you will find lots of small shops to visit, several notable Bed & Breakfast places and Lexington Harbor. This would be your first stop if traveling the Michigan Thumb by water. You can watch or launch a boat from this location and enjoy the public beach as well.
Once you leave Lexington, headed north on M-25 you will continue through the houses built on the water and glimpses of Lake Huron through the trees. About 11 miles north of Lexington, you will get to Port Sanilac. A few miles before Port Sanilac, you will have the opportunity to pull over into Lake Huron Roadside Park. This small park on Lake Huron is an amazing gem to stop and just enjoy the sites. There are picnic tables, bathrooms, and access to the beach at the base of the cliff. Be sure to read the historical marker about The Great Storm of 1913.
Then continue onward 2 miles north on M-25 to arrive in the smal village of Port Sanilac. With little shops to explore and another harbor. There are lots of things to view in Port Sanilac including Port Sanilac Lighthouse and the Sanilac County Museum of which part is housed in Dr. Loop’s twenty-room Victorian mansion. Also, if you're a scuba diver, there is the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve.
Getting back on M-25, a short 5 miles north of Port Sanilac is Forester. Here are some camping and food options for travelors. Including Forester Park.
As you head out of Forester, a short 6.5 miles north you will get to Four Mile Scenic Turnout. You will have awesome views of Lake Huron and stairs down to the beach. These roadside parks are amazing spots for open and expansive views of Lake Huron.
Less than two miles up M-25 from Four Mile Scenic Turnout is Deleware Park. Delaware Park(see show appendix) is a 111 acre piece of land right on the shore of Lake Huron and part of the Sanilac County Park System. It is available for day use to enjoy the beach, nature trails, fishing, and hiking.
As you continue north on M-25 from Deleware Park, you will enter the village of Forestville 3.3 miles north of Deleware Park. Forestville is a small village on Lake Huron and there is only a year-round population of about 136 people. The village was first formed in 1854 with the construction of a sawmill. All through the thumb, lumber was a huge industry. While there is not a harbor in Forestville, there is a boat launch here if you want to head out to fish Lake Huron.
Heading out of Forestville, just under 4 miles up M-25 is White Rock Roadside Park. At the roadside park, you have crossed into Huron County for this part of the trip.White Rock has both picnic and restroom facilities and is a great spot to stop with lots of historical significance. Offshore is a “White Rock” known to all the local Native American tribes in Michigan. This white rock was the boundary between white land and native american land from the 1807 treaty with the tribes of Michigan. The treaty was called the Treaty of Detroit in 1807 (See show appendix).
Once you leave White Rock Roadside Park, a short 4.5 miles up the road is Wagener Park. This is a fantastic Huron County park sitting on 132 acres on Lake Huron. Here you can find both modern and tent camping sites along with several miles of hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas and fishing opportunities. Here, like several places on Lake Huron, the beaches are rocky and not the best for swimming (See show appendix).
Getting back on M-25 from Wagener Park, a short 5 miles up the road is Harbor Beach. Harbor Beach is an old city,settled in 1838 and it became a village in 1882. First called Sand Beach, in 1898 the Harbor of Refuge was completed and the village changed their name to Harbor Beach. In Harbor Beach, there are numerous things to do and this makes a great place to stop for the first day.
You will find the following items of interest in Harbor Beach:
- Harbor Beach Lighthouse
- Frank Murphy Museum
- Hunter’s Bar
- Grice House Museum
- Bed & Breakfasts
- Golfing
- Campgrounds
- Boat Launch
In the next episode I’ll finish the trip for you to Bay City Michigan. Thank you and I hope you enjoy Discovering Michigan’s Thumb.
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