TRAIL GUIDEHURON & TUSCOLA COUNTIES

MICHIGAN, USA

The Lake Huron coast throughout the Thumb offers avariety of conditions for paddlers. The eastern shorelinehas rocky areas and as you traverse north you willnotice the changes. Paddlers should be prepared forthese varied conditions. Once you round the point atPort Austin the shores become more sandy. There aresome of the best beach areas of Michigan along thisside of the trail as you move into Saginaw Bay.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

U.S. COAST GUARD:VHF Radio—CHANNEL 16

orPhone (989) 479-3286 or (989) 479-3285

COUNTY EMERGENCY : 911

WEATHER INFORMATION:VHF RADIO –WX

Scan through stations to hear weather report.Reports heard are for the area you are in.

VHF CHANNEL 16 IS MONITORED BYTHE COAST GUARD 24/7.

If you have an emergency on the water,the Coast Guard should be contacted

before calling 911.

WELCOME TOTHE TIP OF THE THUMBHERITAGE WATER TRAIL

Signage has been placed along the trail marking identified access andegress points, which correspond to the GPS coordinates on your mapand in your tour guide. The Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water TrailOrganization wants you to experience the beauty, variety, and chal-lenges of paddling and exploring the 103 mile trail along the Huronand Tuscola Counties shoreline of Michigan’s Lake Huron.Visit the towns and villages along the trail. You will find an extensivevariety of events, shops, and dining experiences to keep you comingback to this piece of the North close to home.

Remember your safety rules: kayaking and paddling are risky sports.Do not exceed your experience level or the capabilities of your craft.ABOVE ALL—HAVE FUN!

This booklet identifies only some of the available access locations andfacilities. There are, however, other sites throughout the Thumb whichcan be used. Restroom facilities will vary from primitive to well-equiped. Please be considerate of property owners -- don’t trespasson private property and remember that any shore location can be usedin an emergency.

TRAIL SIGN EXAMPLE

H = Huron County orT = Tuscola County29.6 = Indicates you are at thesite on Shore in Huron County,29.6 miles from the beginningof the trail at White Rock

Grindstone City—is theAccess/Egress Point markedby this Official sign.

H 29.6

Grindstone City

H 00.0White Rock City43o 43.045 N

082o 36.566 W

H00.0 WHITE ROCKMDOT PULLOUT

BEGINNING OF TRAIL

White Rock Park marks the beginning of the Tip of the Thumb Heritage WaterTrail. The park sits at the top of a bluff. There is parking available nearby at aMDOT pull over. Motorists can view White Rock from above and read aboutits history on a historical marker.

Amenities: Restrooms, paved parking, stairway leading down to a rocky beachthat could be used for put-in and take-out of paddling equipment.

HISTORYThe limestone boulder, White Rock, was a sacred place for Native Americansand was a familiar landmark for Native Americans and French traders as theypaddled their canoes along the Huron Coast. In 1807 and in 1819, the rock wasused as a landmark for treaties between the United States and the Anishinabeg.

The Treaty of Detroit was between the United States and the Anishinabeg alsoknown as the People of the Three Fires (the Ottawa, Chippewa, Wyandot andPotawatomi) nations of Native Americans. The treaty was signed by WilliamHull, president of Michigan Territory at Detroit, Michigan in 1807. The treatyceded the native nations’ claims to what is now Southeast Michigan andNorthwest Ohio.

According to a local legend, a group of white settlers decided to hold a squaredance on the rock in 1860. Their Indian neighbors warned against it, saying therock was sacred. Two boatloads of dancers ignored the warning, rowed to therock and began to party. A horrified witness watched from shore as a stroke oflightning killed the dancers.

SETTING: White Rock pull outfeatures a portage down a long flightof stairs set in the boulders of theshoreline.

H 3.9Wagener County Park 43o 46.263 N

082o 36.852 W

H3.9 WAGENERCOUNTY PARK

Wagener County Park H 3.92671 South Lakeshore Drive989-479-9131Open May 1 – October 15www.huroncountyparks.com

With 132 acres, Wagener Park, located just under 4 miles north of White Rockand 5 1/2 miles south of Harbor Beach is an excellent starting point to launchyour kayak or canoe to begin your trip along the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Wa-ter Trail.

Amenities: Restrooms, pavilion (rental), boat ramp (fee only applies to non-campers), beach launch (free), beach access (no charge), camper cabins,lakeview sites, hiking trails, sandy playground area, park manager on site.

Included in the Lake Huron Circle Tour is M-25 which parallels the Tip of theThumb Heritage Water Trail from Quanicassee to White Rock. Construction ofa bicycle path along both sides of M25 is under construction from Harbor Beachto Port Austin; this path will also parallel the Heritage Water Trail.

H9.0 TRESCOTT STREET PIER

SETTING: As you approachbreak wall at Harbor Beach,navigate with caution as winddirection determines swells.Inside the harbor providesbeginning paddlers with quietwater.

H 9.0 Trescott Street PierHarbor Beach43o 50.498 N

082o 38.835 W

Harbor BeachTrescott Street Pier H 9.0Harbor Beach City shorelineContact: Harbor BeachParks and Recreation989-479-9554www.harborbeachmi.org

Trescott Street Pier and BathingBeach, located in the City of Harbor Beach, is just 5 miles north ofWagener Park.

Amenities: Restrooms, pavedparking, sandy beach, pavilion,protected harbor, playground, restaurants, shopping, hospital. Camping availableat North Park Campgrounds.

HISTORY

First settled in 1837, Harbor Beach was destroyed in the fire of 1871, rebuilt,and narrowly escaped destruction in the 1881 fire. In the later 1800’s ships couldnot cross the treacherous Saginaw Bay during bad weather. Sand Beach, laterrenamed Harbor Beach, was selected as the site to build a Harbor of Refuge. Ittook 11 years to build the breakwater, which encloses 650 acres.

The Frank Murphy Museum in downtown Harbor Beach is the childhoodhome of Frank Murphy who served as a Judge, Mayor of Detroit, GovernorGeneral of the Philippines, Governor of Michigan, US Attorney General, and aU.S. Supreme Court Justice. The museum also houses the largest collection ofPhilippine cultural artifacts in the United States. Open to the Public.

The Grice House Museum is located at the north city limits of Harbor Beach.The museum depicts life in the late 1880’s and early 1900’s. Listed in the Na-tional Register of Historical Places, The museum consists of 3 buildings. Toursare available. Open to the Public.

Harbor Beach Lighthouse was built in 1885 at the main entrance of theharbor. It stands 54 feet above the water and the light can be seen for 16 miles.

H 11.84 Train Station Motel43o 52.670 N082o 40.434 W

Train Station Motel H 11.842044 N. Lakeshore Rd, Harbor Beach989-479-3215trainstationmotel@thumb.net

Located 2 1/2 miles north of Harbor Beach on M-25 the Train Station Motelfeatures the original Harbor Beach Train Depot which is currently being used asa Gift Shop.Amenities: Restrooms, free launch on lake frontage, 9 rooms, restaurant, freemonitored outside kayak storage and free shuttle service available for guests.

H11.84 TRAIN STATION MOTEL

H 13.58Forest Bay Cottages 43o 54.101 N082o 41.072 W

Forest Bay Cottages H 13.582888 N. Lakeshore Rd, Port Hope989-428-4335Located 3 3/4 miles north of Harbor Beach on M-25. Along the shorline there isa dredged and marked canal as well as two old sunken ships in shallow waterand good bass fishing.Amenities: Restrooms, fee for launch, cottages for rent.

H 16.7Port Hope Boat Club 43o 56.633 N082o 42.331 W

Port Hope Boat Club H 16.78242 State Rd, Port Hope989-428-5006 or 989-428-4556Open May 1Located just over 6 miles north of Harbor Beach at the south edge of StaffordPark in Port Hope on a dredged canal.

Amenities: Restrooms, fee for launch, fishing, monitored kayak storage.

H16.7 PORT HOPE BOAT CLUB

H13.58 FOREST BAY COTTAGES

H 16.8 Stafford ParkPort Hope43o 56.673 N

082o 42.528 W

H16.8 STAFFORD PARK PORT HOPE

Stafford County Park H 16.84451 West Huron St., Port Hope989-428-4213www.huroncountyparks.comwww.porthopemich.comOpen May 1 – October 1

Stafford Park, a Huron County Park, is located on the shoreline in the village ofPort Hope at 4451 West Huron Street. Port Hope is an antique hunter’s para-dise with antique shops, restaurants, bed and breakfast establishments, and anice cream parlor lining M-25 as it passes through town.

Amenities: Restrooms on west side of road, pavillion, free boat ramp (impactedby low water levels), showers, 73 camp sites with lakeview (from roughcamping to full utilities), baseball field, tennis courts, horseshore pit, playequipment and access to the bicycle path along M-25.

SETTING: The launch ramp islocated to the east of theStafford Park Pavilion.

HISTORY

Founded by William Stafford andlater incorporated in 1887, PortHope was a lumber town until itwas destroyed by the Fire of 1871,and rebuilt as a milling town.Stafford lumber mill’s key to suc-cess was the dock he constructedwhich allowed lumber to be loadedonto ships. The village that devel-oped around the mill became knownas Port Hope. Stafford’s house, ona bluff overlooking Lake Huron,survived both the 1871 and 1881Fires, and is now open as a Bed &Breakfast and is on the NationalRegister of Historic Places, TheStafford House Inn.. All that re-mains of Stafford’s sawmill is thebrick chimney which you can stillsee today near the shoreline.

STAFFORD PARK PAVILION

H 23.8Lighthouse County Park44o 01.226 N

082o 47.496 W

H23.8 LIGHTHOUSECOUNTY PARK

ANDPOINTE AUX BARQUES

LIGHTHOUSE

SETTING: A passage for boats to the boat launch is marked by bouys.North of the park area, a rocky point of land, one of several, projects outinto the lake. Oscabe Pointe about1 mile south of Pointe Aux BarquesLighthouse is the most famous ofthese dangerous rocky areas and isalso known for bass fishing.

www.pointeauxbarqueslighthouse.org

Lighthouse County Park H 23.87320 Lighthouse Road, Port HopeContact: 989-428-4749www.huroncountyparks.com

Lighthouse County Park, part of the Huron County Park System, sits in one ofthe most beautiful locations along the shoreline of Huron County. The park,located at the junction of Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron, is the home of theHistoric Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse. Fishing enthusiasts will find rock bassat the Oscabe/Oscube point.

Amenities: Restrooms, boat ramp (fee only applies to non-campers), beachaccess (no charge), picnic facilities, 110 camp sites (from rough camping to fullutilities), 6 rustic cabins, fishing, hiking, play equipment, nature study area,maritime museum, historic lighthouse site.

HISTORY

In 1847 the first Pointe Aux Barques Lightouse was built at this location. Peterand Catherine Shook with their eight children were the first and second Light-house Keepers of the 1847 Lighthouse, which was replaced in 1857 with thecurrent Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Tower and Keeper’s Dwelling.

2007 marks the 150th anniversary of this lighthouse, the oldest continuouslyoperating lighthouse on the Great Lakes. The lighthouse features a conical whitebrick tower, 89-feet tall. A Third Order Fresnel lens sat 93-feet above Lake Hu-ron. The lighthouse was built to provide a turning point for ships sailing up LakeHuron to Saginaw Bay and to give warning of the reefs at Pointe Aux Barques.

Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Society was established in 2002 to oversee therestoration and preservation of this jewel of the Great Lakes. The keepersdwelling houses an excellent Lighthouse and Maritime Museum.

Open from May 1—September 30Tours by arrangement; Tower open for Lighthouse Festival first weekend ofAugust and for announced times. 989-428-3035

H 29.6Grindstone City44o 03.333 N

082o 53.632 W

H29.6 GRINDSTONE CITY

SETTING: Clapotis occurs off the cliffs in this area. With caution,paddlers can access sea caves along this stretch of shoreline. Winds cancreate hazardous conditions and paddling difficulties across the PortAustin reef which extends from the shoreline to the light.Deep Water Divers frequent this part of the Thumb BottomlandPreserve.Fishing is a popular sport in the Grindstone City and Greater PortAustin area. Several charter boat companies can meet the needs of fish-ermen and fishing groups. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for moreinformation.

Kayaking off Grindstone City

Grindstone City H 29.6Contact: Whalen’s Grindstone Shores989-738-7664Ramp Contact: 989-856-4411 or lauingeg@michigan.gov

Grindstone City has an unmanned DNR ramp along the southeast edge of theharbor. No fee is assessed for use. Although the property surrounding the rampis private both jetties beyond the harbor are public property as well as the rockybeach to the south. Grindstone City is the center of charter fishing tourism in theThumb region. Walk the circle around town to view grindstones.

Amenities: Rustic restroom facilities, parking, boat launch, marinas, walkingdistance to restaurants, general store, ice cream parlor, artists gallery.There is no camping on the DNR site.

HISTORY

Founder Captain Aaron G. Peer first visited Grindstone City in 1834, when tak-ing refuge in a storm in the natural harbor. He noticed the unusual rock, and laterbrought a load of the rock to Detroit where it was used to pave a few blocks onJefferson and Woodward Avenues. In 1836, Captain Peer bought 400 acres ofland and began producing grindstones. Captain Peer operated the quarries until1865 with various partners including the Wallace family. The other major opera-tor in Grindstone City was the Cleveland Stone Company. Each built a largewharf to ship out the stone. A salt well was drilled and 125 barrels a day of saltwere produced in the 1870’s. The post office was established 1872, and oper-ated until 1962.

In 1887, Wallace built a gristmill and grain elevator. In 1892, the first railroadwas built into Grindstone City and the stone was shipped by rail. The grindstonebusiness died in the 1920’s as carborundum replaced natural stone. The PereMarquette closed the rail line between Port Austin and Grindstone City in 1932.

Grindstone City was platted and sold as lots, many for summer and retirementhomes. The lakeshore property owners formed an improvement association thatimproved the Harbor. A large Grindstone can be seen at the corner of Copelandand Rouse Roads dedicated to the Pioneers of Grindstone City.

H34.8 BIRD CREEK PARK

H 34.8 Bird Creek ParkPort Austin44o 02.925 N

082o 59.478 W

SETTING: East of Port Austin a shoal extends approximately 1 mileoffshore from Eagle Bay. Atop the sandstone cliffs is the Pointe auxBarques community with no public access. Turnip Rock provides scenicphoto opportunities. When approaching Bird Creek or Waterfront parkbeaches winds create paddling difficulties and confused seas—shallowwaters extends to the Port Austin reef light.Bird Creek park beach and inside the harbor provides beginningpaddlers with quiet water.

Bird Creek County Park H 34.8Port AustinContact: 877-404-7447www.huroncountyparks.com

Bird Creek County Park is a day use park located in Port Austin, off M-25 tothe east of the DNR ramp in the village.Amenities: Restrooms, parking, sandy beach, pavilion (rental), gazebo, picnicfacilities, boardwalk, walking distance to shops, restaurants, local accommoda-tions and activities in Port Austin.

H35.0 PORT AUSTINSTATE HARBOR

Port AustinState Harbor

H 35.044o 02.964 N

082o 59.656 W

Port Austin State Harbor H 35.0Port AustinContact: 989-856-4411 or lauingeg@michigan.gov

The State of Michigan Harbor is at the center of Port Austin, at the north end ofM-53.Amenities: Restrooms, free boat launch, fee for parking, walking distance todowntown area with restaurants, shops, and local accommodations.

The Port Austin Reef LightOff-Shore Port Austin

Built in 1878 to mark dangerous shoals, the lighthouse is being restored by thePort Austin Reef Lighthouse Association

In 1873, Congress appropriated funds for the construction of a lighthouse to markthe dangerous shoals north of Port Austin. The lighthouse, which was constructedon an octagonal shaped pier at a cost of $81,871, was completed in 1878. In1899, the pier was modified with the addition of a new section. The lighthousetower is 16 feet across the base and 60 feet high to the ventilator ball. The towerwas built of yellow brick and is double-walled for insulation and weatherproof-ing. Originally the Port Austin Reef Lighthouse was fitted with a Fourth OrderFresnel lens manufactured by Henri Le Paute of Paris. There is an attachedbrick fog signal building with living facilities for the keeper.

In the 1930’s the lighthouse was transferred from the US Lighthouse Service tothe US Coast Guard. In 1937, the caisson (base foundation) was reconstructed,adding five feet of concrete to the sides and three feet of concrete to the top. Asteam operated fog horn was also added. In 1953, the lighthouse was no longerconsidered by the Coast Guard to be an aid to navigation, was decommissionedand scheduled to be dismantled in 1984. Louis Schillinger of Port Austin stoppedthe light’s dismantling by obtaining a 5-year license to restore the structure. Thefollowing year, a solar array was installed to power the beacon. The non-profitPort Austin Reef Light Association was established in 1988 for the process ofrestoring the light.

H35.1 WATERFRONT PARK

Waterfront ParkPort Austin

H 35.144o 02.847 N

082o 59.741 W

SETTING: East of Port Austin a shoal extends approximately 1 mileoffshore from Eagle Bay. Atop the sandstone cliffs is the Pointe auxBarques community with no public access. Turnip Rock provides scenicphoto opportunities. When approaching Bird Creek or Waterfront parkbeaches winds create paddling difficulties and confused seas—shallowwaters extends to the Port Austin reef light.

Waterfront Park H 35.1Port AustinContact: 989-738-7600www.portaustinarea.com

Day park to the west of DNR Ramp

Amenities: Restrooms, sandy beach, pavillions, picnic facilities, walking distanceto restaurants, shops, and local accommodations.

HISTORY

In 1839, Jonathan Byrd built a sawmill at this site thus establishing the first settle-ment. The site became known as Byrd’s Creek. In 1854, Byrd sold his mill tothe lumbering partnership of Smith, Austin & Dwight. The town was renamedDwightville, and then Austin’s Dock, Austin Port, and Port Austin. The first saltwell in Huron County was drilled here in 1864.

When the County Courthouse burned down in Sand Beach, the County Seat wasmoved to Port Austin and the town remained the County Seat of Huron Countyfrom 1865 to 1875. After the timber ran out, Port Austin turned to the land, serv-ing as a market town and processing center for the rich farmlands to the south.The town was also a draw for summer vacationers; Port Austin became acenter for fishing, farming, commerce and tourism.

“The Garfield Inn”Charles G. Learned, lumber and construction tycoon, and his wife bought a largehouse and acreage in the Port Austin area. Learned enlarged and updated thishouse in the French Second Empire style.

In the 1860’s Ohio congressman, later president, James A. Garfield, was a fre-quent guest here. Garfield was a friend with Maria Learned, Charles’ wife.Garfield’s close association to the Learned family was documented in his per-sonal diary. Garfield and Maria died within months of each other, he from anassassin’s bullet in September 1881 after only six months as president. AsGarfield lay mortally ill, he asked to be allowed to travel to Port Austin andrecover in the Learned home.

From 1931 to 1979 the house served as the Mayes Inn and Tower Hotel. It waslisted on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. The structure wasbought by the Pasant family in 1989 who renamed the Bed & Breakfast as TheGarfield Inn in honor of the connection between the Learned’s and PresidentJames Garfield.

H38.8 JenksRoadside Park44o 01.400 N

083o 02.450 W

H38.8 JENKS ROADSIDE PARK

Jenks Roadside Park H 38.8Contact: 877-404-7447www.huroncountyparks.com

3 miles west of Port Austin on M-25.Amenities: Restrooms, sandy beach, parking, free launch. Park Closed 10pm.

H39.9 PORT CRESCENT STATE PARK

Port Crescent State Park H 39.91775 Port Austin Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467Contact: 989-738-8663 or kishe@michigan.govReservations: 800-447-2757Amenities: Restrooms, water, parking, sandy beach, playground, telephone,cabins. Camping rates vary with the seasons. A Michigan State Park MotorVehicle Permit is required to enter all areas of the park.

H39.9 Port CrescentState Park44o 00.579 N

083o 03.199 W

H40.6 PORT CRESCENTSTATE PARK DAY USE

H42.6 MC GRAW COUNTY PARK

Port CrescentState Park Day Use

H 40.644o 00.252 N

083o 03.734 W

PORT CRESCENT HISTORY1963 was the first official camping season for Port Crescent State Park. Located onthe site of the former town of Port Crescent, the Campground and Organization Areaconsist of approximately 250 acres and covers about 1.5 miles of Saginaw Bayshoreline. The only visible remnant of the old town is an eight foot chimney monumentwhich was built using bricks from the original 120 foot Pack & Woods sawmillchimney. The Day Use Unit, the area to the south and west of the Pinnebog River,consists of another 1.5 miles of sandy shoreline. This area boasts wetland swales,interdunal wetlands, and upland beach ridges. Fox, deer, songbirds and waterfowl canbe seen by the diligent observer. Marram, or dune grass, grows abundantly in theforedune, and acts as a dune stabilizer provided there is minimal human disturbance.

Port Crescent State Park Day Use H 40.6Contact: 989-738-8663, 800-447-2757 or kishe@michigan.gov

The entrance is approx. 6 3/4 miles west of Port Austin on north side of M-25.Amenities: Restrooms, parking, sandy beach, sand dunes, swimming, hiking,picnic area. A Michigan State Park Motor Vehicle Permit is required to enter allareas of the park.

McGraw County Park H 42.6Contact: 877-404-7447www.huroncountyparks.com

McGraw County Park is located 7 miles southwest of Port Austin on M-25Amenities: Restrooms, parking, picnic facilities. No camping.

HISTORYThe Great Lakes Wooded Dune and Swale Complex is a unique habitat found inthe Great Lakes region. The habitat is a complex series of upland beach ridges(dunes) separated by wetland swales and is unique to the Great Lakes as a re-sult of the changing levels of the post-glacial Great Lakes. As the Lakes re-ceded, they deposited a series of beach ridges ranging from 1.5 to 12 feet high,generally parallel to the existing shoreline ranging up to two miles inland. Thebeaches going southwest from Port Austin afford excellent swimming, fishingand recreational opportunities. Two state parks are located in this region.

H42.6McGrawCounty Park 44o 00.177 N

083o 06.224 W

Oak BeachCounty Park

H 43.843o 59.839 N

083o 07.599 W

H43.8 OAK BEACH COUNTY PARK

Oak Beach County Park H 43.83356 Port Austin Road, M25Contact: 877-404-7447, 989-856-2344www.huroncountyparks.com

Amenities: Restrooms, picnic facilities, pavilion, 55 camping sites (from roughcamping to full utilities), swimming beach.

H47.3 PHILP COUNTY PARK

HISTORYM-25 is part of the Lake Huron Circle Tour. A Native American trail once ranaround the perimeter of the Thumb, following the sand ridges above the LakePlain marshes.

Philp County Park H 47.3Contact: 877-404-7447www.huroncountyparks.comPhilp County Park is a day use park located 5 miles northeast of Caseville onM-25 in what was once the center of the lumber industry.Amenities: No restrooms, parking, swimming beach, picnic facilities.

H 47.3Philp County Park43o 58.923 N

083o 11.519 W

H47.9 SLEEPER STATE PARK

SleeperState Park

H 47.943o 58.927 N

083o 12.420 W

Sleeper State Park H 47.96573 State Park RoadCaseville MI 48725Contact: 989-856-4411 or lauingeg@michigan.govOpen April - NovemberSleeper State Park has a half-mile stretch of sandy bach, affording views of bothsunrise and sunset. Along with the nearby Rush Lake public area, there are 2,723acres of forested area, containing 4 miles of maintained trails and many moremiles of “deer run” type trails. A Picnic area and modern campground are withineasy walking distance of the beach. Most of the park consists of ancient sanddunes, now covered with forests of Oak, Maple, Pine and Birch.

Avoid paddling through the swimming area which is marked off by buoys. Thewater trail sign is located at the east of the park’s 1/2 mile shoreline.

Rustic camp sites are always available for bicyclists, canoeist and kayakers with-out reservations.

Amenities: Restrooms, parking, sandy beach, pavillions, drinking fountains,swimming, hiking, free launch from beach, picnic facilities, grills, camping for afee, fire rings and firewood. Party store nearby. A Michigan State Park MotorVehicle Permit is required for all vehicles to enter all areas of the park.

Sleeper State ParkHeadquartersOpen All Year

Campground Office OpenMemorial Day to Labor Day

H52.8 CasevilleCounty Park43o 57.015N

083o 16.456 W

H52.8 CASEVILLE COUNTY PARK

SETTING: Gradual deepening beachand waters surround area. Appro-priate for beginners to explore.Use caution in this high traffic area.

Caseville County Park H 52.86400 Main Street / M-25Caseville / Port ElizabethContact: 989-856-2080 forInformation and Reservationswww.huroncountyparks.comAmenities: Restrooms, paved parking, sandy swimming beach, pavilions, shel-ters, picnic facilities, 214 camp sites (from rustic camping to full utilities), play-ground equipment, bathhouse, concession, walking distance to shopping, restau-rants, miniature golf, water craft rentals, fishing, fishing charters, marinas andbreakwall.

HISTORY

The first non-native settler in the Caseville area was Reuben Dodge from Maine.In 1840, he built a cabin at the mouth of the Pigeon River. The communityof trappers, hunters, fishermen, and small farmers that subsequently developedwas known as the Pigeon River Settlement. In 1852, the town was named PortElizabeth in honor of the wife of William Rattle, an agent for Leonard Caseof Cleveland, Ohio. In 1856, the timber and mill operation was purchasedby Francis Crawford and George Martin. The town was named Caseville.Recently the U.S. Postal Service has recognized the 48725 zip code as PortElizabeth or Caseville.

Caseville thrived because of its location, natural resources, and by the energyand ingenuity of its people. The first industries in Caseville were based on log-ging and sawmills that prepared timber to be floated down the river and acrossSaginaw Bay. Naturally occurring salt brine beneath the town made Caseville asalt producer, using waste from the sawmills to fuel the salt evaporators. Ship-building and iron-making were also early industries.

After the Fire of 1881, Caseville turned to the land and to the lake for itslivelihoods, becoming a commercial fishing center and a resort community thatcapitalized on Lake Huron and the village’s accessibility by boat, by rail, and laterby highway.

President William McKinley Sr.’s connection to the Caseville area goes back to1873 when he arrived in Caseville to manage the furnaces at the Pigeon RiverSalt and Iron Works as Superintendent, and later became part owner.

McCaffey Hall

Restored by CasevilleHistorical Society

H53.1 CasevilleMunicipal Harbor43o 56.597N

083o 16.497 W

H53.1 CASEVILLEMUNICIPAL HARBOR

Setting: Kayakers must takecaution when paddling in theMunicipal Harbor due toextensive boat traffic. Pad-dling south from Caseville,you approach Sand Pointe thatextends 7 miles into the Bay.This area is lined with pri-vate residences and there isno public access.

Caseville Municipal Harbor H 53.1Main Street, Caseville / Port ElizabethContact: Caseville Chamber of Commerce800-606-1347www.casevillechamber.com

Amenities: Restrooms, ramp, shower facilities, walking distance to shopping,restaurants, Caseville County Park and community activities. Community roomnear the ramp can be used for gatherings or shelter during inclement weather.

Power Boat Amenities: 68 seasonal and transient boat slips, gasoline and die-sel fuel, water, electricity, cable TV, ship to shore radio, dock attendant and hold-ing tank pump-out.

HISTORY

The shipping industry was very important to the towns along the shores ofSaginaw Bay and Lake Huron. The coastal towns developed around the deeperwaters of the river mouths. Sebewaing, Bay Port, Caseville, Port Austin, PortHope, Harbor Beach — All had natural harbors that were improved; whereas,Port Crescent and Grindstone City built wharves to get their timber and stone tomarket.

Saginaw Bay with its shallow waters has been a rich fishing ground that hasattracted settlement to its shores. The Native American speared the plentifulLake Sturgeon, and also caught the Northern Pike and Walleye that were foundin the shallows and river mouths. The Europeans that settled around thelakeshore also took advantage of the fishing that could be found here. The fish-erman caught Whitefish, Lake Trout, Yellow perch, Lake Herring, and Walleyein large quantities.

Fishing around the Thumb Trails

Walleye populations in Saginaw Bay are again well established through breed-ing, stocking, and habitat restoration.

Yellow Perch , also known as Lake Perch, are a major shallow water game fish.The population recovered in the 1990’s. Yellow perch usually occur in schoolsnear shore in shallow waters. The tasty Perch continue feeding year-round, mak-ing Perch a favorite of ice fishermen.

Lake Trout, a cold water fish, are recovering after successful lamprey controlefforts. They require, cold, clear, well-oxygenated water, so in the Summer theyare found almost exclusively in depths range from 50 to 100 feet. In the winterLake Trout feed near the surface, making them a good draw for ice fishermen.

Salmon as a treasured game fish. Lake Huron is now home to three speciesof Salmon; the King or Chinook Salmon, the Coho or Silver Salmon, and Pink orHumpback Salmon.

H62.3 Beadle BayMarina43o 54.527 N

083o 21.369 W

H62.3 BEADLE BAY MARINA

Beadle Bay Marina H 62.34375 Long Eagle TrailCaseville / Sand Point989-856-4911www.tour-michigan.com/~beadleAmenities: Restrooms, parking, ramp (fee), camping, play area, walking trail,inland canals for paddling, small store.

Setting: Shallow water extends a considerable distance off the tip of Sand Point,making this area a haven for bird watchers. Cranes, egrets, eagles and other birds alsoutilize Wildfowl Bay between Sand Point and Bay Port. Rocky conditions exist alongthe shores of North Island. Marinas on Wildfowl Bay are heavily utilized by powerboaters.

George Beadle createda series of manmadecanals throughout SandPoint to bring water frontproperty to a greaternumber of people. H64.39 FILION ROAD

PUBLIC ACCESS

Filion RoadPublic Access

H 64.3843o 53.177 N

083o 19.777 W

Filion Road Public Access H 64.39West end of Filion Road989-856-4411lauinger@michigan.gov

The Filion Road Public Access is located at the west end of Filion Rd. Thislaunch is for small boats only. There is parking available, free launch, noattendant on duty.

Amenities: Restrooms, parking, free launch, good fishing.

H64.4 BAY PORT STATEBOAT LAUNCH

Bay Port StateBoat Launch

H 64.443o 51.217 N

083o 22.461 W

Setting: Shallow water extends a considerable distance off the tip of Sand Point,making this area a haven for bird watchers. Cranes, egrets, eagles and other birds alsoutilize Wildfowl Bay between Sand Point and Bay Port. Rocky conditions exist alongthe shores of North Island. Marinas on Wildfowl Bay are heavily utilized by powerboaters.

HISTORY

Settled by Carl Heisterman in 1851, Bay Port was originally called Geneva, thenrenamed Wildfowl Port before receiving is present name in 1872. Renowned forits fishery, catching, processing and shipping millions of pounds of Lake Herring,Sturgeon, Lake Trout, Walleye, Whitefish, and Yellow Perch, Bay Port continuesto be a commercial fishing port and is also now known for its sport fishery. AState of Michigan Historical Marker, at the mouth of the Harbor at PromenadeStreet, honors the Bayport Fishing District.

In 1883, the Saginaw, Tuscola and Huron Railroad came to Bay Port, bringingtourists from East Saginaw for rock hunting excursions at the Bay Port Quarry,which continues to produce 450,000 tons of decorative stone, base materials,shoreline protection, concrete stone, railroad ballast, asphalt split material andagricultural lime annually.

Just northeast of Bay Port, in late fall/early winter of 1862, Emil Baur, with50 families, started a colony Ora Labora (Latin for Prayer and labor). Unfortu-nately, this location on Wildfowl Bay was too shallow for large ships; money wasscarce, many of the colonists were city folk; many succumbed to malariaand their ranks were depleted by the civil war draft. The women and elders couldnot sustain the farming operation and though the colony struggled valiantly tosurvive it collapsed in 1872.

Bay Port State Boat Launch H 64.4Promenade Street, Bay PortContact: Bay Port Chamber of Commerce989-551-9929 www.bayportchamber.comRamp Contact: 989-856-4411 or lauingeg@michigan.gov

Amenities: Restrooms, parking, boat launch (small boats only), walking dis-tance to accommodations and restaurant. Find the old Stagecoach Stepping Blockon Cedar Street.

H74.0 SEBEWAINGCOUNTY PARK

H69.2 Sumac IslandAccess Site43o 47.939 N

083o 25.600 W

Sumac Island Access Site H69.2West end of Geiger Rd.

Amenities: Restrooms, free launch, parking.

H69.2 SUMAC ISLANDACCESS SITE

H74.0 SebewaingCounty Park43o 44.180 N

083o 27.667 W

Sebewaing County Park H 74.0759 Union Street, SebewaingContact: 989-883-2033www.huroncountyparks.com

Encompassing 20 acres, Sebewaing County Park, is one of three locations onthe Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail located in or near Sebewaing.

Amenities: Restrooms, showers, 64 camping sites (from rough camping to fullutilities), lodge.

HISTORY

Sebewaing, originally Auchville, was founded in 1845 by the Rev. J.J.F. Auch, aLutheran missionary, who came to preach to the Chippewa. In the same year,Reverend Auch helped settle German missionary settlers on the Cass River atwhat became Frankenmuth. Reverend Auch with the help of the local Chippewa,built a log house, was joined in 1849 by his brother and other German missionar-ies. When the Township was organized in 1853, the village was renamedSebewaing after the River. By 1854, the Chippewa had left the area. The firstschool in Sebewaing was taught by Reverend Auch in 1854. The school wasattached to the Auch’s Lutheran church and the first class had a dozen students.Later the mission house was moved to 590 East Bay Street in Sebewaing andset up by the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod as amuseum, The Luckhard Museum—Indian Mission. This location is identified by“The Indian Mission of 1845” Historical Marker.

The Chippewa (Ojibwe), the original people of Saginaw Bay had a village northof Sebewaing near Shebahyonk Creek. The Chippewa call themselvesAnishinabe, in their language meaning original men. The name Chippewa comesfrom an Algonquian word “otchipwa” meaning to pucker, deriving from theChippewa’s distinctive puckered moccasin seam.

H74.5 SebewaingHarbor Marina43o 44.048 N

083o 27.451 W

H74.5 SEBEWAINGHARBOR MARINA

H75.0 SEBEWAINGROAD VFW

WILDFOWL OF SAGINAW BAY

A mecca for hunters and birders, Saginaw Bay, is a major nesting area and reststop for migratory waterfowl. With the lakeshore plain, wet prairies, dunes andswales, and shallow lake bottoms the bay is a major habitat for North Americanbirds. This area is a major rest and feeding stop for migratory song birds andwaterfowl on the Central Flyway. Wetlands are host to Canada Geese, SnowGeese, and Tundra Swans. Mallards, Grebes, and Wood Ducks nest here, whileother waterfowl include Green Winged Teals, Canvasbacks, Redheads, Pintails,Ring Necks, Scaups, Longtails, Buffleheads, Goldeneyes, Mergansers, RuddyDucks, and Loons. The Bay also has waders including Herons and Bitterns,Yellowlegs, Sandpipers, Dunlins, and Sandhill Cranes.

One can spot Terns and Cormorants fishing in the Bay. A birder may spot BaldEagles, Ospreys, and Hawks circling above. The inland forests and thickets arehome to Neotropical migrants as well as less migratory species of songbird in-cluding Warblers, Finches, Thrushes, Nuthatches, Wrens, Titmice, Kinglets, Wax-wings, and Sparrows. The wetlands are also home to large numbers of Red-Wing Blackbirds and Swallows.

Sebewaing Rd / Bay StV F W

H 75.043o 43.531 N

083o 28.281 WSebewaing Harbor Marina H 74.5700 West Sebewaing StContact: 989-883-9024

Amenities: Restroom, ramp (fee), convenience store

Sebewaing Road VFW H 75Contact: Sebewaing Chamber of Commerce989-883-2150www.sebewaingchamber.com

Amenities: No restroom, free launch at end of Sebewaing Rd.

HISTORY

Sebewaing, from the Chippewa for “little crooked creek,” was a center for fish-ing, shipping, sugar, and beer making.

Sebewaing, also similar to the Ojibwa word “sibi-wan” means “rivers, streams.”One reference indicates the translation to mean “where the river is”; anotherreference says it refers to “crooked creek”. The River is seen on some oldFrench maps as the Du Fill (Thread) River. In the 1860’s cooperage (barrelmaking) was a thriving industry, using the plentiful oak trees of the region. Otherearly industries in Sebewaing included farming, coal mining, fishing, shipping andship building. Sebewaing later became a center for making beet sugar with amajor factory of the Michigan Sugar Company built here in 1902.

The town was once famous as home of the Sebewaing Brewing Companywhich produced beer for almost a hundred years until shutting down in 1965.The brewery began life as the E.O. Braendle Brewery in 1880. A fire destroyedthe wood frame building in 1893. It was rebuilt with brick walls three feet thickand prospered until Prohibition outlawed beer making. The Sebewaing namebegan during Prohibition when in 1927, the Sebewaing Products Company wasorganized to produce malt extract. After Prohibition, Sebewaing again brewedbeer until financial pressures in the 1960’s shut down most of the independentbreweries in the United States.

T 77.2 Fish PointLodge43o 43.069 N

083o 30.965 W

T77.2 FISH POINT LODGE

Fish Point Lodge T 77.24130 Miller Ave, Unionville, MIContact 989-674-2631www.fishpointlodge.com

Fish Point Lodge was built near the turn of the century by George Blehm, acommercial fisherman and duck hunting guide and grandfather of the lodge’scurrent owner, Doug Deming. It was originally known as Sportsman’s Haven,and was a favorite spot for local waterfowl hunters. In the century since thelodge was constructed little has changed.Amenities: The Lodge offers outdoor activities 12 months of the year..Restrooms, accommodations, cabin rentals, camping, ramp (fee).

Thomas MarineT 79.943o 42.011 N

083o 33.160 W

T79.9 THOMAS MARINE

THOMAS MARINE T 79.95066 West Thomas Rd,Unionville, MI 48767989-674-2627 989-225-7583

Amenities: Restrooms, Camp sites ,(from rustic camping to full utilities, fees),showers, ice, pop machine, bait, clubhouse always open for shelter during in-clement weather, boat ramp other launch points at your discretion (fee).

Sunset Bay MarinaT 82.48

43o40.240 N083o 38.877 W

Sunset Bay Marina T 82.485825 Loomis Rd, Unionville, MI 48767Contact: Manager 989-674-2605, Owner 989-674-2668

Amenities: Restrooms, range markers, launch fee, mini storage, fishing, payshowers, sandy beach, meeting room, marine store, bottled water, pop, nightcrawlers, picnic area.

H82.48 SUNSET BAYMARINA

Allen RoadT 84.9743o 38.357 N

083o 36.552 W

Allen Road Access T 84.97Amenities: None, free dirt ramp launch at end of road, limited parking.

Setting: Public access is limited to the end of the road only. Access tothe lake is via Northwest Drain Outlet #3. The trail sign is not visiblefrom open water: you must come up the drain to the access ramp. Pleasebe considerate of the private property on the north side of Allen Rd.

T84.97 ALLEN ROAD

T 88.9VanderbiltCounty Park 43o 35.880 N

083o 39.818 W

T88.9 VANDERBILTCOUNTY PARK

Vanderbilt County Park & Campground T 88.94446 Bath Road, Fairgrove, Mi 48733Contact: Host 989-325-2037 or 989-672-3700www.tuscolacounty.org/vanderbilt

Open All Year.

Main season mid April through September. Call for arrangements at other timesduring the year.

Amenities: Restrooms, camping, pavillion, play area, picnic area, nature trail(to be completed in 2009), small store 1/4 mile west, restaurant 3 miles west,marina 1 mile on M-25.

T 90.44QuanicasseeRiver 43o 35.085 N

083o 40.843 W

T99.44 QUANICASSEE RIVER

Quanicassee River Public Access T 90.44Barney Road off M25 (follow Public Access Signs)Contact: DNR Bay City State Park, 989-684-3020Amenities: Restrooms, parking, DNR paved ramp can be used for boats ontrailers, restaurants in area.

HISTORYA fishing village from pre-settlement times, Quanicassee derives its name froma Native word for “lone tree” and is located on the Quanicassee River, a tribu-tary of Saginaw Bay. Although it’s said to be of Native origin, the name report-edly is not compatible with Ottawa or Ojibwa vocabulary. The site was a gath-ering place for fishing by then Native people and settlers. A post office was es-tablished in “Quanicasse City” June 11, 1886, and operated until March 31, 1902.The Detroit, Bay City, & Western Railroad had a station at Quanicassee Cityfrom 1915 through 1925. The line was acquired by the Detroit, Caro, andSandusky Railroad after the bankruptcy of the Detroit, Bay City & Western.Rail traffic through Quanicassee ceased in 1928 when a storm surge fromSaginaw Bay pushed up the Quanicassee River and destroyed the railway bridgeforcing the Detroit, Caro, & Sandusky to abandon the line from Caro to BayCity. The village is still a center for fishing and a gateway to the QuanicasseeState Wildlife Area.

NOTES

NOTES

NOTES

Web Links for Quick Reference:

Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trailwww.thumbtrails.com

Huron County Parkswww.huroncountyparks.com

Bayport Chamber of Commercewww.bayportchamber.com

Caseville Chamber of Commercewww.casevillechamber.com

Harbor Beach Chamber of Commercewww.harborbeachchamber.com

Port Hopewww.porthopemich.com

Sebewaing Chamber of Commercewww.sebewaingchamber.com

Port Austin Chamber of Commercewww.portaustinarea.com

Huron County EDCwww.huroncounty.com

Tuscola Countywww.tuscolacounty.org

Unionvillewww.unionvillemi.com

TRAIL GUIDEHURON & TUSCOLA COUNTIES

MICHIGAN, USA

Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water TrailP.O. Box 92, Caseville, MI 48725

www.thumbtrails.comemail: info@thumbtrails.com

This publication is graciouslysponsored by:

1-888-282-4932