Stay Minutes from a World-Class Birding Destination
If you love birds, migration season is one of the best times to visit Michigan’s Sunrise Coast. Our area sits along the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail, which follows more than 145 miles of Lake Huron shoreline and passes through some of the region’s most important coastal habitats. These shoreline points, marshes, river mouths, and wetlands act as natural “migrant traps,” concentrating birds during spring and fall migration and making this stretch of coast a standout destination for birders.
Migration Season
May is peak for spring warblers, while fall brings waterfowl and raptors. Excellent birding in every season.
Diverse Habitats
Explore shoreline points, marshes, river mouths, and expansive wetlands close to your cabin.
Top Event
Tawas Point Birding Festival (scheduled for May 2026). A major Great Lakes birding destination.
A stylized feature image of a bird along the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail.
Featured Birding Hotspots
From world-famous migration funnels to expansive wetlands, our cabins place you minutes from the most productive areas of the trail.
Tawas Area: A Migration Funnel
The Tawas area offers some of the most concentrated birding in the Great Lakes, especially at the state park.
Tawas Point State Park
One of the most famous migration spots in the Great Lakes. An internationally important resting site and a protected area for Piping Plovers.
Gateway Park
Located just south of Tawas. This park has recorded nearly 100 species, including unique gulls, terns, and Purple Martins.
Tuttle Marsh Wildlife Area
An expansive wetland habitat. Explore the area to find waterfowl, gulls, terns, swallows, and shorebirds that bypass the state park.
Au Gres & Standish Area: Wetlands & Rivers
River mouths, expansive marshes, and quieter SBLC preserves are perfect for finding diverse species close to your cabin.
Wigwam Bay Wildlife Area
Covering over 3,000 acres, this site features 900 acres of wetlands with dikes open to foot traffic. It is a top spot for eagles, cranes, and shorebirds.
Au Gres Delta & Pressprich
SBLC preserves. The Delta is excellent for waterfowl and cranes, while Pressprich is known for migrating songbirds and warblers in May.
Au Gres DNR Boat Launch
Right near the cabin. This boat launch has recorded nearly 90 species. High possibilities for raptors and unique winter crossbills.
Plan Your Birding Getaway
Migration is exactly why the Sunrise Coast trail has become such a popular destination for birdwatchers. Staying at Lake Huron Cabin Rentals gives you the perfect home base to pair an active morning with an evening relaxed by the lake.
Helpful Strategy: Deciding Where to Go First
During migration, deciding where to go first can make all the difference. While the migration funnel at Tawas Point is often the first stop, checking current county hotspots can lead you to other active areas. Local river mouths and marshes are excellent backups.
Before you head out:
- Check current county hotspot reports
- Follow local birding groups for sightings
- Verify state park conditions before visiting
- Ask our staff for nearby marsh recommendations
Experience the Sunrise Side
Book your cabin stay, then explore the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail. Come back to a comfortable space to relax and unwind, easily pairing your birding adventures with local beaches, boating, and dining.
Book Your Cabin Stay