Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Upper Tahquamenon Falls will soon feature a new, fully accessible 900-foot-long boardwalk. Construction begins Oct. 14 and is expected to be completed by Aug. 1, 2025. All other viewing areas will remain open during construction, including the three viewing platforms situated above the falls. The privately owned Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub will also remain open during construction.

Address

Mailing Address:
41382 W. M 123
Paradise MI, 49768

Phone

906-492-3415
TTY/TDD711 (Michigan Relay Center)

Approximate Size

46179 (Acres)

Recreation Passport

Required

Trail Length

Trail Head

Camp Sites/Fees

The centerpiece of Tahquamenon Falls State Park's nearly 50,000 acres is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls viewable from multiple accessible overlooks. The Upper Falls, one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, has a drop of nearly 50 feet, is more than 200 feet across and has a maximum water flow of more than 50,000 gallons per second. Just 4 miles downstream is the Lower Falls, which consists of a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island that can be reached by a rowboat rented from a park concession.

Make a Reservation Tell Us About Your Visit

Event Information

Interpretive programs: Professional interpretive naturalists lead nature-based programming daily July through September. You can also visit the Fact Shack.

More Information

The Lower Falls Modern Campground Portage Loop and Hemlock Loop are closed for water system upgrades. Both loops are anticipated to reopen early to mid-summer 2025. A proposed $3.275 million in federal relief funding from Gov. Whitmer's Building Michigan Together Plan made these renovations possible.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses nearly 50,000 acres and stretches 13-plus miles in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The park is home to multiple campgrounds, overnight lodging facilities, a boating access site, 35-plus miles of trails and multiple overlooks to the Upper and Lower Falls.

There's a fee-based shuttle that transports visitors between the Upper and Lower Falls. The schedule varies by season, contact the park directly for updated schedules.

The 200-feet-wide Upper Falls is one the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River. The river’s amber color is caused by tannins leached from the cedar, spruce and hemlock trees in the swamps drained by the river, and the extremely soft water churned by the action of the falls causes the river’s trademark large amounts of foam. Just 4 miles downstream is the Lower Falls, consisting of a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island. The falls can be viewed from the riverbank and accessible Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge (honoring DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief), or by a rowboat rented from a park concession. Drone use permitted, with restrictions.

The North Country Trail travels 16 miles within the park, and includes a route between the Upper and Lower Falls. Thank you to the North Country Trail Association Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter.

Black bear, coyote, otter, deer, fox, porcupine, beaver and abundant bird life, including spruce grouse, pileated woodpeckers, bald eagles and a variety of waterfowl and songbirds can be found in the park. Moose are occasionally seen feeding in the wet areas of the park, especially along M-123 between Paradise and the Lower Falls.

Visit the Tahquamenon Falls Fact Shack to learn about the park and the many ways to explore it.

See all 360 degrees of this site through Google’s Street View at Michigan.org/GoogleTrekker/.

The park's track chair – capable of handling trails, snow, sand and shallow water – expands access beyond traditional wheelchairs. The chair is available for visitors to borrow at no cost.

Campgrounds

Tahquamenon Falls-Backcountry Camping: 800-447-2757
(3)
Tahquamenon Falls-Lodge: 800-447-2757
(1)
Tahquamenon Falls-Lower Falls Modern Campground: 800-447-2757
(188)
Tahquamenon Falls-Rivermouth Group Use Area: 906-492-3415
(1)
Tahquamenon Falls-Rivermouth Modern Campground: 800-447-2757
(72)
Tahquamenon Falls-Rivermouth Pines Camper Cabin: 800-447-2757
(1)
Tahquamenon Falls-Rivermouth Pines Campground: 800-447-2757
(36)

Trails

Tahquamenon Falls-Clark Lake Loop: Trail Length: 5.20 (Miles)
Tahquamenon Falls-Emerson Trail: Trail Length: 1.00 (Miles)
Tahquamenon Falls-Giant Pines Trail: Trail Length: 3.80 (Miles)
Tahquamenon Falls-Nature Trail: Trail Length: 0.50 (Miles)
Tahquamenon Falls-River Trail: Trail Length: 4.00 (Miles)
Tahquamenon Falls-Wilderness Loop: Trail Length: 7.00 (Miles)

About the Area

View Online Visitor's Guide

The area is home to miles of snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing pathways and a host of winter fun.

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is located at Whitefish Point and highlights the maritime history of the region through shipwreck stories and artifacts.

The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is the premier bird migration hotspot in Michigan and a designated Globally Important Bird Area. Jutting out in Lake Superior, Whitefish Point acts as a natural migration corridor, bringing thousands of birds through this flyway every spring and fall.

Activities (Display as List)

Boat Rental

Boat Rental:

The Lower Tahquamenon Falls Café & Gift Shop offers rowboat rentals in the Lower Falls Memorial Day weekend to mid-October as river levels/conditions allow. Reservations are not required.

Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-Country Skiing:

The park has 4 miles of regularly groomed, single-track classic cross-country ski trails integrated into the hiking trail system in the Upper Falls day-use area. The Upper Falls Winter Trails include two loops, the 1-mile Lantern Loop and 3.8-mile Giant Pines Loop.

The park is also open to backcountry skiing, and visitors are encouraged to explore off-trail anywhere in the park.

Please keep pets off groomed ski tracks, and do not walk on groomed ski trails.

Fishing

Fishing: The Tahquamenon River runs through the park, and a variety of fish species are frequently caught, including brown trout, walleye, muskie, northern pike, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and more. Accessible shore fishing is available in the Rivermouth Pines Campground.

Hiking

Hiking

Hunting

Hunting: Hunting is allowed in the state park except in areas closed to hunting, which are clearly posted around the campgrounds and visitor areas. Call the park office at 906-492-3415 to inquire about any special rules, concerns or considerations.

Nature Programs

Nature Programs:

Professional interpretive naturalists lead nature-based programming (PDF) in various locations throughout the park daily from July through September. You can also visit the Fact Shack.

Learn more ways to explore the park through Tahquamenon Falls education programs. Schools and groups can make reservations for guided tours and programs by contacting the park headquarters at 906-492-3415.

Paddlesports

Paddlesports: The Tahquamenon River offers 17 miles of paddling from the Lower Falls to the Rivermouth area. Carry-in access sites are available both at the Lower Falls day-use area and at the Rivermouth Modern Campground. The current is generally considered suitable for both upstream and downstream travel.

Pet-Friendly Area

Pet-Friendly Area: Leashed pets are allowed on all trails, including viewing platforms. Pets must always be on a 6-foot leash and under an owner’s immediate control. All pet waste must be properly disposed of in trash receptacles.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling:

Snowmobiling is permitted only on designated trails within the park. Snowmobiles are prohibited on open land (off-trail or backcountry snowmobiling).

Trail 45, also known as Charcoal Grade Trail, runs through the park and along the M-123 Scenic Byway. It is a 44-mile, multiuse trail that runs from Newberry to Paradise. Initially a snowmobile trail, it features parts open year-round for multiple uses, from snowmobiling to ORV/ATV riding, as well as hiking, biking and walking.

Snowmobile parking and trail access is available in the Lower Falls and Upper Falls day-use areas.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing:

The park has 9 miles of marked snowshoe trails at the Lower Falls and Upper Falls day-use areas.

The park is also open to backcountry snowshoeing, and visitors are encouraged to explore off-trail anywhere in the park.

Please keep pets off groomed ski tracks, and do not walk on groomed ski trails.

Winter Camping

Winter Camping

Facilities (Display as List)

Boat Launch

Boat Launch: There is an accessible paved boat launch located at the Rivermouth area, across the road from the Rivermouth Campground. There is limited parking available; There is also a canoe/kayak launch in the Lower Falls day-use area.

Cabins & Lodges

Cabins & Lodges

Concession/ Store

Concession/ Store:

Lower Tahquamenon Falls Café & Gift Shop operates a gift shop.

The Upper Falls day-use area has a privately owned restaurant and gift shop adjacent to the park property.

Fishing Pier

Fishing Pier: A fishing pier is located at the Rivermouth boating access site across the road from the Rivermouth Campground.

Group Use Area

Group Use Area

Modern Restrooms

Modern Restrooms: Restrooms are located in the Lower Falls and Upper Falls day-use areas. The restrooms in the Upper Falls day-use area are ADA-accessible.

Observation Platform

Observation Platform:

The park features numerous observation platforms for viewing the Lower and Upper falls.

The first accessible viewing area is located 100 yards from the parking lot in the Lower Falls. Additional viewing areas are located along a half-mile accessible boardwalk. The falls can also be viewed from the all-accessible Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge (honoring DNR Parks and Recreation Division chief) over the Tahquamenon River or by a rowboat rented from a park concession.

In the Upper Falls day-use area, three accessible viewing platforms are located along a paved pathway a third of a mile from the parking area.

Drone use is prohibited on or above the viewing platforms.

Picnic Area

Picnic Area: Accessible picnic areas are located at Whitefish Bay Picnic Area and in the Lower and Upper falls day-use areas and include picnic tables and charcoal grills that are available first come, first served. A nonaccessible picnic area with picnic tables and charcoal grills is available at the Stables, located between the Upper and Lower falls.

Picnic Shelter

Picnic Shelter: There is a picnic shelter located in the Lower Falls day-use area that includes picnic tables and a group charcoal grill. There is no electricity, and it is a short walk to the restrooms. Shelter reservations can be made 12 months in advance at MIDNRReservations.com or by calling 1-800-447-2757.

Rustic Site

Rustic Site

Sanitation Station

Sanitation Station: There are sanitation stations located at Lower Falls Modern Campground and Rivermouth Modern Campground, open seasonally mid-May to mid-October. Each has potable water available and two lanes. A $10 fee will be assessed for those not camping at Tahquamenon Falls.