Map showing campground location near Tawas City, Michigan

Camper submitted image from East Tawas City Park

East Tawas City Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Sand beach access within a one-minute walk and a Lake Huron harbor view define the experience at East Tawas City Park. The municipal campground runs all year and provides full hookups including electric, water, and sewer, plus showers and WiFi. Spots fill fast. First-come, first-served policy means weekend arrivals in summer have little realistic chance of securing a site, and beachfront spots tend to stay occupied by long-term renters. One consistent factor to plan around: a freight train crosses the road adjacent to the park on weekday nights, typically between 9:30 p.m. and midnight, with a horn audible across the campground. The 37-foot length limit is firm in practice, especially when neighboring sites have vehicles parked out. Anglers will find a state-managed fishing pier in the harbor, and downtown restaurants and a Walmart are within walking distance. This campground makes sense for RV travelers who want urban walkability alongside Tawas Point State Park Campground access and can arrive early enough to claim a spot.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

Warning 1 Alert is In Effect

There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

Air Quality at this campground may currently be unhealthy. Please check with the campground before making a reservation.

RV Road Trip Guides

The Great Northern Road Trip

Burlington to Sault Ste. Marie: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsEast Tawas City Park is located in Michigan near Tawas City

Public Campground

Directions

From jct Hwy 55 & US 23: Go 1 mi N on US 23

Address

407 West Bay Street
East Tawas, MI 48730

Coordinates

44.27801822 N
83.49413267 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/15/26
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 3 users
Last on 7/15/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 7/15/26

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/15/26
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 3 users
Last on 7/15/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 4 users
Last on 7/15/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 10 min from Bay City, MI
1 hr 20 min from Saginaw, MI
1 hr 20 min from Midland, MI
1 hr 43 min from Flint, MI

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews2 Camper Reviews - East Tawas City Park

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

2 Reviews

Erika P.

Ranger

Reviewed Nov. 10, 2021

Great Location

This campground is right in the middle of all the fun happening in beautiful East Tawas. The RV park is right on the beach and takes about 1 minute from the furthest campsite until your toes are in the sand. You can walk to downtown and eat at several restaurants, go to the movies, walk to Walmart and get ice cream from 3 different locations. We stayed here in October-December in the off season and there was barely anyone here but I assume in the summer this place is pack and loud with people enjoying the nice weather and all the fun things to do in the area.

Things to consider before camping here:

They do not take reservations, it’s first come, first serve. Once you arrive and can keep the site as long as you want by continuing to pay for it. You will not get a spot on the beach, those people aren’t giving up their prime locations.
If you are coming for the weekend, have a backup plan because I don’t see how you would find a spot at 6pm on a Friday. Several sites are rented yearly and have steps and shed on their spot.
37’ is the longest length recommended. We have a 42’ 5th wheel and made it fit only because we were here during the off-season. There’s no way we would of got the RV in if people had the vehicles parked in their campsite or on the road.
On October 15th, the rates turned to seasonal and people can rent the spots to store their RV for the winter. We arrived on 10/12 and on 10/15 most of the available spots to rent were taken by people paying to store their RV. We are glad we arrived when we did because the few spots that are kept open for people to actually stay at the campground would not fit us.
The city turns the water off around the 3rd week in October. There is one bathroom building open for showers and you can also get water from the side of the office building to fill your tanks. You still have electricity and sewer at your site.
Last, there is a train. A very LOUD, slow moving train that blows its horn around 22 times when it goes by. When we were here, it ran Monday-Friday and went by twice between 9:30pm-12:30am. The train tracks are right across the road from the RV Park so the closer you are to the road, the louder the train will be.

Site175

Month of VisitOctober

(14) View All

Fred M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 18, 2019

The Tawas city Park is a very nice full service full hook up park with the exception of a few things. It is owned by the city of East Towers and is a very crowded park in the middle of town.

It is a very popular but difficult park to get into in the summers almost impossible on weekends. There is a beautiful sand beach on one side of the park a large state managed pier with fishing large boats in the summer in the harbor. The city itself is on the opposite side. The lake is Lake Huron. US 23 divides this park from the city and there is a train track and active train on the opposite side but it only goes through once a day at about 10 o’clock at night.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at East Tawas City Park Campground?

East Tawas City Park Campground offers RV sites directly on the beach with easy water access. The park features a beautiful sandy beach on Lake Huron. Campsites are developed for RV camping with appropriate hookups. The campground's location provides convenient access to both natural attractions and urban amenities. While specific bathroom and shower facilities aren't detailed, the park's popularity and established nature suggest standard camping amenities are available. Contact the park directly for details about specific hookups, bathroom facilities, and other amenities before your visit.

How does East Tawas City Park Campground compare to Tawas Point State Park?

East Tawas City Park Campground offers a more urban camping experience compared to Tawas Point State Park. The city park is situated right in town with walking access to restaurants, shops, and even a Walmart, making it more convenient for amenities and supplies. East Tawas provides immediate beach access with sites just steps from the sand. It's generally more difficult to secure summer reservations at East Tawas due to its popularity, especially on weekends. Tawas Point State Park likely offers a more natural, secluded setting typical of state parks, but with fewer walkable town amenities.

What attractions and activities are near East Tawas City Park Campground?

East Tawas City Park Campground offers excellent beach access to Lake Huron with swimming just steps away from all campsites. The campground is adjacent to a large state-managed pier that's popular for fishing. Nearby, there's a harbor that hosts large boats during summer months. The park's location is ideal for exploring downtown East Tawas on foot, where you'll find numerous restaurants, shops, and even a movie theater within walking distance. A Walmart is also within walking distance for supplies. The campground's central location puts campers right in the middle of all the activities and attractions that East Tawas has to offer, making it a perfect base for enjoying both natural and urban amenities.

What is the reservation process for East Tawas City Park Campground?

East Tawas City Park Campground has a competitive reservation process, especially for summer stays. The campground is extremely popular and securing weekend spots during summer months is particularly challenging. Prospective campers should plan well in advance and be prepared to book immediately when reservation windows open. For specific reservation procedures, timeframes, and available methods (online, phone, or in-person), contact the East Tawas city offices directly. Having flexible dates and considering weekday visits will increase your chances of securing a spot at this desirable lakeside location.

Keep Exploring