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