A Boater’s Paradise at Harbor Beach, Michigan

Published: Tuesday, July 6, 2021

Michigan is a boater’s mecca, but Harbor Beach, Michigan, is a boater’s paradise, especially with all the new renovations!

Where to Dock

The Harbor Beach Marina is located within the one-mile-wide by three-mile-long harbor of refuge, originally built in the 1870’s to provide shelter to sailing vessels from Lake Huron’s treacherous storms. The marina has received a complete renovation over the last couple years. All docks, including the main pier and fuel dock, are new floating docks to adjust to the ever-changing water levels. New lines have been installed for potable water, electric, and fuel as well as a new fire suppression system.

Along with the new fuel lines, there are four new fuel dispensers featuring diesel fuel and recreation gas. The 72 seasonal and transient slips consist of eight 60-foot docks offering 50 amp service and water, 12 45-foot docks wired for 30/50 amp service and plumbed for water, and 52 30-foot docks with 30 amp service and water. There are two pump-out areas and three launch ramps which provide room for six boats. The marina also offers completely renovated restrooms with showers, Wi-Fi for seasonal and transient guests, a fish cleaning station, large parking area, a green dog run, and a courtesy shuttle to downtown. The Marina is open from April 15th through October 15th and can be reached by calling 989-479-9707.

Where to Explore

Harbor Beach offers both natural beauty and small-town friendliness. Whether it’s fishing, boating, swimming, water skiing, vacationing, hunting, scuba diving, or just relaxing on the beach, Harbor Beach has everything a lover of the Great Lakes could want. Enjoy the stunning sunrise over Lake Huron and the breathtaking glow of the lake that beckons spectators to enjoy.

Located on the east side of Michigan’s Thumb on the shore of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach is surrounded by farmland and woods. The area offers an outdoor lover’s paradise with unlimited opportunities for family recreational activities throughout the year.

The James H. Lincoln Memorial Park sits on the shore of the harbor providing a beautiful sandy beach for picnicking, swimming, and sunbathing. Facilities available include restrooms, a new gazebo, a playground, picnic tables, pavilion, grills, and beach volleyball nets. This park is also home to the Trescott Street Pier. Fish off the 1,015-foot long pier or stroll its length to get a terrific view of the lighthouse. The park is the location of the Harbor Beach Maritime Festival, July 8-11, 2021, and provides a terrific opportunity to enjoy a weekend of great water sports, entertainment, and fun in the sun.

The 1885 Harbor Beach Lighthouse has been restored to its historic grandeur. It is only accessible by boat or other watercraft as it sits a mile off-shore. Tour this maritime museum on Saturdays during the summer for a glimpse into the life of a light keeper. The lighthouse is once again a shining beacon with its new 4th Order Fresnel Lens. Tours include a short boat ride from the marina to the lighthouse, a guided tour of five decks of the lighthouse, and a boat ride back to the marina. Tour reservations can be made at harborbeachlighthouse.org.

Adjacent to the marina is Waterworks Park. This park has a pavilion, four new cottages, picnic tables, and grills. The cottages sleep seven, have a bathroom, bedroom, kitchenette, and porch. Call the marina office at 989-479-9707 to make reservations. The Harbor View Cottages are available for rent between April 15th and December 1st.

Near the Harbor Beach Marina sits the Grice House Museum. A 1870’s stone house is packed with maritime and military artifacts, a rural one-room schoolhouse portrays school back in the day, and the barn houses agricultural history. This historic setting is all around you, taking you back to yesteryear.

Across the street from the marina is North Park Campground, offering sites with sewer, water and electricity, restrooms and showers, playground, picnic area, pavilion, lit softball diamonds, horseshoe pits, and a basketball court. Call 989-479-9554 for reservations.

Harbor Beach has both land and water trails for you to enjoy. The Harbor View Trail—a bicycle and walking path—connects the campground, marina, parks, beach, and the community’s business district. The PFC Brian Backus Nature Trail provides almost two miles of scenic trails through the woods. Land or launch your canoe or kayak at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park as it is an access site for the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail, a 90-mile trail along Lake Huron’s coastline. Come and see the beautiful beach and trail areas.

The Frank Murphy Museum in downtown Harbor Beach is the birthplace and law office of Frank Murphy, a former Michigan Governor and U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The museum contains many articles from Justice Murphy’s life and illustrious career.

Harbor Beach’s natural beauty and the multiple lake and outdoor recreation opportunities ensures boaters will enjoy this “Boater’s Paradise.”