There are waterfalls you admire from a distance — and then there’s Tahquamenon. The 200-feet-wide Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River, and it pours with a force that you genuinely feel before you even see it. Located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near Paradise, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is the second-largest state park in Michigan, drawing visitors who come for one waterfall and leave having discovered an entire wilderness world.
In 1936, the State of Michigan acquired 2,200 acres surrounding the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls from the U.S. Forest Service, and after acquiring other lands through gifts, tax delinquency, and exchanges, the Michigan State Parks Commission officially dedicated 17,000 acres in January 1947 and named it Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It is now one of the most-visited and photographed state parks in Michigan.
The Falls: Two Stunning Experiences, One Unforgettable Park
The Upper Falls are nearly 200 feet across and 50 feet high — and each second you spend at the viewing platform, up to 50,000 gallons of water flow down the falls right before your eyes. The river’s remarkable 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 creates the river’s trademark large amounts of foam. Locals have affectionately nicknamed it “Root Beer Falls,” and once you see that rich, frothy cascade, the name makes perfect sense.
Just four miles downstream, the Lower Falls offers a series of smaller cascades around an island, which you can explore from the riverbank, the Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge, or by renting a rowboat. Renting a boat lets you row over to the islands in the middle of the river, enabling you to hike even closer to the Lower Tahquamenon Falls and hop into the refreshing water at your leisure. Many visitors are surprised to find themselves enjoying the Lower Falls just as much — if not more — than the iconic Upper Falls, thanks to the intimate, multi-cascade layout and ability to get right up to the water.
In September 2021, the park installed a bridge to the island at the lower falls to allow easy access for people with disabilities — before this addition, the island was only accessible by rowboat. The $250,000 pedestrian bridge can handle 4,000 pounds, includes railings, and provides views of angles of the running water that had never been seen before. It’s one of the more thoughtful infrastructure improvements the park has made in recent years.
Hiking, Wildlife & Year-Round Adventure
The park has more than 40 miles of hiking trails, 13 inland lakes, 24 miles of the Tahquamenon River, and approximately 20,000 acres of natural area. The four-mile River Trail connecting the Upper and Lower Falls is a perennial favorite — it’s considered an intermediate route and is well worth the effort for the payoff of experiencing both falls in a single outing. For those who want to go even deeper into the backcountry, the Clark Lake Loop (5.2 miles) and Wilderness Loop (7.4 miles) offer a chance to explore the park’s quieter interior, circling a pristine inland lake where you might spot loons, beavers, and other wildlife.
Wildlife abounds in the park, with black bears, coyotes, otters, deer, foxes, porcupines, beavers, and a variety of birds, including spruce grouse, pileated woodpeckers, and bald eagles. Moose can sometimes be seen feeding in the park’s wet areas, especially along M-123 between Paradise and the Lower Falls. Keep your camera ready on the drive in — wildlife sightings along M-123 are a genuine highlight for many visitors.
In fall, many people enjoy hunting and viewing the beautiful autumn colors, while winter finds visitors snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing on the miles of marked trails. The falls take on an entirely different, ethereal character in winter, when the ice that accumulates around and in the falls is often colored in shades of green and blue.
The Brewery, Dining & On-Site Amenities
One feature that genuinely surprises first-time visitors: there’s a brewery right on the grounds. The privately owned Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub sits near the Upper Falls and remains open even during ongoing construction work at the boardwalk. It’s an unexpectedly delightful spot to grab a craft beer and a full meal after a morning on the trails. Well-behaved dogs are even welcome in the outdoor seating area, making it a convenient stop for visitors with pets.
At the Upper Falls visitor center you’ll also find a tourist shop, a coffee and ice cream kiosk, and a beer garden restaurant with a full menu — more than enough to refuel between the two falls. The Lower Falls area has its own café and picnic tables as well, so you won’t go hungry no matter which end of the park you explore first.
Atmosphere & Setting
The drive to Tahquamenon is part of the experience. M-123, known as the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway, leads you north toward Paradise through a landscape of pristine Upper Peninsula forest, setting the tone well before you reach the park entrance. The sheer scale of the place — thousands of acres of old-growth trees, amber rivers, and sky-filling canopy — makes the noise of everyday life feel very far away.
A 900-foot-long boardwalk pathway winds through the old-growth forest to the brink viewing platform at the Upper Falls, offering one of the most dramatically framed natural views in the Midwest. The paved paths are well-maintained throughout, making the park accessible to a wide range of visitors without sacrificing its deep, wild character.
Good To Know Before You Go
What does it cost to get in? To access the park, you will need a current Michigan Recreation Passport for residents or non-residents. Non-residents can purchase a daily passport for around $11 per car, which covers both the Upper and Lower Falls areas — so one pass gets you the full experience. Michigan residents can add the passport to their annual vehicle registration for a lower cost.
Is it good for families and kids? Absolutely. The paved paths and boardwalks make the falls accessible to younger children and strollers, and the Lower Falls area — with its island trails, shallow wading spots, and café — is especially popular with families. The park’s track chair program helps visitors explore areas where traditional wheelchairs might not manage, available on a first-come, first-served basis at no cost.
When is the best time to visit? From the powerful waters of spring to the serene snowscapes of winter, Tahquamenon is a park for every season, with each time of year bringing its own unique charm. That said, Tahquamenon Falls is one of the major attractions of the Upper Peninsula, which makes it a busy place — if you are going in the summer or fall, expect to see a lot of people. Arriving early in the morning is your best bet for a more peaceful experience and better photos.
What about bugs? This is worth mentioning honestly: the biting insects — particularly in early June — can be prolific in the more remote and wooded areas of the park. Pack insect repellent, especially if you’re camping or planning long trail hikes. July through October tends to be far more comfortable for most visitors.
Can I camp here? The park is home to multiple campgrounds and overnight lodging facilities, a boat launch, and more than 35 miles of trails. The Rivermouth Pines Rustic Campground is a beloved option, with many wooded and private sites, many of which sit right on the Tahquamenon River. Reservations are strongly recommended during summer weekends, as the campgrounds fill up fast.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
📍 41382 W. M-123, Paradise, MI 49768
Website: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/places/state-parks/tahquamenon-falls
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