Photo credit to Gary Wojcik

Alcona County – which comprises the communities of Barton City, Black River, Curran, Greenbush, Glennie, Harrisville, Hubbard Lake, Lincoln, Mikado and Spruce – provides visitors with a variety of scenic beauty, unique shopping opportunities, dining experiences and outdoor activities. From the sparkling shoreline of Lake Huron on its eastern border to the beautiful national forest on its western border, Alcona County’s rural setting is a wonder to behold. In Alcona County – located north of Tawas, Oscoda and West Branch and south of Alpena -- the pace is slower, the people friendlier and the air cleaner. The congestion of larger communities is nonexistent with the natural beauty of northeastern Michigan soothing and enticing. Alcona County has something for everyone especially if you enjoy golfing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, boating, camping, hiking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, shopping and dining. The rural county is also well known for many of its events held from June through September including music at the harbor, Fourth of July celebrations, an antique show, a wine and food festival, car shows, a farmer’s market and arts and craft shows.

Golfers can spend an entire week golfing their way through Alcona County and surrounding communities. Anyone interested in visiting historic sites are in luck while visiting the area – there are two historic train depots in Lincoln and Harrisville and Sturgeon Point Lighthouse located just north of Harrisville.  If your tastebuds are tempting you to try the local cuisine – you are in luck for there are a variety of places to eat to your heart’s content. From ice cream to family dining or fine dining, all types of pallets will be satisfied. An angler’s paradise, there are more than 20 inland lakes and streams that give anglers an opportunity to catch a variety of fish. If you want the adventure of the “big lake” with your own boat or by charter, Lake Huron is your dream come true! Hubbard Lake, one of the largest inland lakes in Michigan, boasts excellent walleye fishing. Alcona Pond, which is part of the AuSable River system, enjoys catches of pan fish throughout the season. Outdoorsmen in pursuit of bagging game have a wide variety of locations to do so. Hunters will see plenty of deer and turkey, a few bear and coyote, and the elusive bob cat once in awhile. With large tracts of private, state and federal land which is open to the public, Alcona County is a hunter’s paradise.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking, bird watching and in the winter, cross country skiing in the Reid Lake and Hoist Lake foot trail systems. Camping opportunities abound from the Harrisville State Park on Lake Huron to Alcona Park on Alcona Pond just west of Glennie to rustic camping on forest service land to privately owned campgrounds scattered throughout the county. Canoeing and kayaking along the AuSable and Pine rivers and on the various larger lakes gives a perfect opportunity to travel quietly along the waterways to view bald eagles, osprey, deer, ducks, geese and trumpeter swans in their natural habitat.

Photo credit to Al Broadwood

There is family fun for everyone whether it is canoeing the mighty AuSable River, playing on the sandy shores of Lake Huron, camping under the starry skies or visiting Sturgeon Point Lighthouse. Explore and experience Alcona County – the Heart of the Sunrise Side.