Tahquamenon Falls

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This park is situated near the town of Paradise.

Understand

The Tahquamenon Falls State Park consists of Upper Falls and Lower Falls. The Park covers approximately 40,000 acres, an area of about 13,000 miles. The majority of the park is undeveloped woodland and there are few roads, structures or powerlines.

The sandhill crane has nesting sites in this Park.

History

This is the the famed land of Longfellow's Hiawatha. Hiawatha was said to have built his canoe "by the rushing Tahquamenaw". This has long been an area where the Ojibwa fished, hunted, farmed, trapped and lived. In the 1800s, those seeking timber came and became the first permanent white settlers in the area.

Fees/Permits

• There is a small entrance fee to the Park, collected upon entry. Daily motor vehicle fees are $6 for Michigan residents, $8 for non-residents. An annual permit that covers all Michigan State Parks is $24 for residents, $29 for non-residents. A towed vehicle requires and additional $6 permit.

Contact the Tahquamenon Falls State Park for more information on fees (906-492-3415). Also view the State Park website at www.michigan.gov/dnr. http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10887-124495--,00.html

See

• The Upper Falls - These are one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. The falls drop nearly 50 feet and they are more than 200 feet across. During times of abundant rains, the flow is enormous; a maximum flow of more than 50,000 gallons has been recorded before.
• The Lower Falls - These are four miles downstream from the Lower Falls. They consist of a series of five smaller falls. It is possible to see them from the bank of the river, or you can purchase a rowboat rental and row across to the island. This is definitely worth doing and only costs around US$10. You can walk around the small island and see the five falls from every angle. It is an easy walk for any person.

Do

• Visit the falls and walk around them.
• Camp in the Park - There are camping facilities available (see below).
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Canoeing on the Tahquamenon River
• Nature study - moose, birds, black bear, coyotes, bald eagles, otter, deer, fox, beaver, mink etc. Bird life includes spruce grouse, sharptail grouse, pleated woodpeckers, songbirds, bald eagles and waterfowl.
• Photography opportunities - In summer the wildlife is fascinating and in winter the frozen falls and ice formations are excellent photographic subjects.
• In winter - There are miles of marked trails for snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing

Eat

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub sits near at the end of the parking area near the Upper Falls. This restaurant serves pastas, whitefish, burgers and other fare, as well as a selection of beers brewed on-site. Built in the style of the logging camps that once covered the UP, the restaurant is owned and operated by the family who originally owned this area, and donated this land to the State of Michigan to form the Park.

Sleep

Camping

There are four campgrounds. They consist of two modern campgrounds at the Lower Falls and a modern and partially modern campground at the River's mouth.

Stay safe

• Follow all sensible precautions with respect to bears, coyotes and ticks.

Get out

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