Tahquamenon Falls

“Just let it go-and fall like a little waterfall”-Bob Ross

There’s something mesmerizing about watching water pour over a cliff face. Churning as it falls to the misty water bellow. Waterfalls no matter the size, are one of the most beautiful natural creations we can see. To the small ones that cascade gently over the rocks bellow. The whirlpools of water where the bubbly foam just sits and spins. To the big falls where walking up to them you can hear the shear size of if in the distance. The thunderous roar of the water getting louder and louder with each step you take. Every time I go to a waterfall, especially in Michigan, I can picture visions of Native Americans. A lone birch bark canoe making it’s way down the river, up ahead in the distant the river ends, the roar of the falls getting closer and closer. I like to think it’s because of these great people, we are able to experience mother nature at her best.

The Tahquamenon River snakes it’s way nearly 90 miles till it empties into lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The river has a naturally dark brown color from the cedar swamps it flows through. Dead decaying trees leak tannins causing the river to turn a root beer color, hence the nickname “Root beer falls”.  Along the river are the popular upper and lower falls. The falls stand withing the Tahquamenon  Falls State Park. The park is made up of 46,179-acres, making it Michigan’s second largest State Park. Most of the park is undeveloped except five different campgrounds totaling 350 sites. The North Country Trail crosses through the park along with 22 miles of hiking trails. There is a trail that connects the upper and lower falls. The trail hugs the river giving great views of the copper color water through the trees. The trail is four miles one way and there is a shuttle service to take you back to your car if you don’t want to do the full eight miles.  Tahquamenon Falls State Park sits between the Town of Newberry and Paradise off of M-123.

Visiting the upper falls requires a Michigan Recreation Passport, those can be purchased right at the entry gate. upon entering the park you will arrive into a decent sized parking lot. Depending on the time of year you visit, don’t be surprised if the parking lot is full. To the west side of the parking lot you’ll see the Tahquamenon Falls brewery and pub, a little concession stand and a gift shop. I recommend grabbing a bite to eat at the brewery, it has really good food and the atmosphere is really nice. The walls have various animal mounts and skins, just a whole rustic Michigan feel to it. Following the path to the south you will come up to a pavilion talking about some of the wildlife that call this park home. Just pass the pavilion will be restrooms, your last chance to go before you head to the falls. The path continues for maybe a quarter of a mile before it splits to the right or left. It’s at this point where you can really start to hear the thunderous water pour over the falls. To the right the path you take you to some great lookouts leading towards the falls. with each step you take the the falls get louder and louder. The first lookout to the right in my opinion gives you the best view of the falls. Trees and bushes make a beautiful natural frame for the falls.  If this will be the first time you’ve seen the falls, take the time and just soak it in. It doesn’t get better than this. Continuing to the right the path will lead you to a flight of roughly 90 steps. If you can’t do stairs, just take your time. The steps will lead you to an observation platform standing just over the falls. Here you will be able to watch the water tumble right over the rock face, you might even get a little misted. I like to stand right where the water falls over, it’s a very unique view. The falls appear so close, it’s as if you reach out you’ll be able to touch them. This view is perfect picture opportunity if you want the falls in the background. Heading back up the steps and past the path leading to the parking lot you begin to get further away from the falls. At the end of this path is another flight of stairs, this one has more. Again take your time, it’s not a race. This is the gorge, another one of my favorite views. You take steps down going lower and lower into a grotto of rock faces. Tree roots and moss hugging the rocks makes for a view straight out of a fairy tale. The gorge view will put you right on the river with the falls straight ahead. It’s from this view where you can really see the size of the falls. The sunlight hits the water just right to really make the hues of yellows, browns and white stand right out. Keep an eye out in the river for playful otters and other wildlife. Who just like us, like to take in the views.

Four miles down the road are the lower falls. Again a Michigan Passport is required for entry. The lower falls is also a campground, the campground sits above the river and depending on your site you can hear the falls. Entering the lower falls leads to another parking lot where a path gently sloping upwards will lead you to the lower falls gift shop. Here will be another set of restrooms if you want to change into your swim wear. I highly recommend you do this, we will get to why in a little bit. Straight ahead of the gift shop is an observation platform overlooking the entire lower falls. The lower falls consist of a series of smaller falls and cascades that falls on either side of a small island. The island can be reached via rowboat. Boats can be purchased and you’ll be able to row across the river to the island. If you don’t want to pay to take a boat the island can be reached on foot but you will need to cross the river, why i said to change into your swimming suit. Off the observation platform will be a path leading to a wooden boardwalk that will take you to the lower falls. Bugs can be very bad through here, lots of standing water and shade. Reaching the lower falls there will be a observation platform standing over one of the bigger falls of the lower falls. It’s here where you can see just how much fun people can have here. You will see people rowing the boats to the island that will be right in front of you. People will also be playing right in the falls, that’s right you can swim with waterfalls. Of course there will be warnings saying, “stay within the fence”. As long as you’re careful and take your time you’ll be fine. The water doesn’t get that deep. continue up the path and you will come to a dirt path, it’s the start of the four mile hike to the upper falls. Here you can drop your gear and walk in the river. Do yourself the favor and have on good water shoes that will stay on your feet. Like I said the river doesn’t get all that deep and surprisingly isn’t too forceful. Now I’m not telling you to do this but I am saying if you want to, it’s not really that bad. Crossing the river will take you to the island in the middle of the river. The river will split and go around making falls on either side. It’s on this back side where you will find falls that you can stand under. Again, I’m not saying to do this but how often can you say you went behind a waterfall. Be sure to always have someone with you and take your time. The lower falls aren’t as big as the upper falls but they make up for it for being a playground the those wiling to be daring.

Tahquamenon Falls never disappoint, no matter what season you go there is always something different to see. Winter the half frozen upper falls gives a different view. The water falling around huge pillars of ice is very neat to see.  None of the paths will be paved so if snow shoeing and cross-country skiing  is your thing, plan a trip to the falls. In spring, after the winter melt, the falls will be flowing at max water volume. You’ll be able to see just how much water flows over the edge. As Spring turns into summer life has returned to the falls, the towering trees in full bloom, the animals playing in the water to cool off. With the nights getting shorter autumn slowly approaches. The trees changing, giving way to the falls being surrounded by a “fire” of colors. If you’ve never been to the falls, do yourself the favor and plan a trip. If it’s for the day or a weekend, the falls have a little something for everybody. The next time your at a waterfall, think of that lone Native American in his birch bark canoe discovering the falls for the first time.