UpperTahquamenon Falls

The UpperTahquamenon Falls are on the Tahquamenon River that feeds into Lake Superior They are located in the state park close to the appropriatly named town fo Paridise Michigan. (at least it is pardise in the summer months). This is a major tourist and local attraction in the area. There is an upper falls and lower falls park entrance. From the top of the falls to where it leads into Lake Superior is a bigger drop than Niagara Falls. The color of the water isn't do to a high iron content, it is tannin.



Information from the Sate Park web site: http://www.exploringthenorth.com/tahqua/tahqua.html





Tahquamenon Falls State Park
41382 West M-123, Paradise, MI 49768
Phone # (906) 492-3415, Fax # (906) 492-3590, TDD # (906) 492-3812
For camping reservations, call 1-800-44-PARKS

Tahquamenon Falls is an easy drive along M-123, the highway offers a loop from Highway M-28 through Paradise, past Tahquamenon Falls State Park, through Newberry and back to M-28. (map) This beautiful falls in Tahquamenon Falls State Park is hidden in the forest along the Tahquamenon River and is easily accessible for those seeking the quiet and solitude of the Upper Peninsula wilderness.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park encompasses close to 52,000 acres stretching over 13 miles. Most of this is undeveloped woodland without roads, buildings or power lines. Centerpiece of the park, and the very reason for its existence, is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls.

The Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. It has a drop of nearly 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across. A maximum flow of more than 50,000 gallons of water per second has been recorded cascading over its precipice.

A paved pathway (.4 mile) leads from the parking lot at the Upper Falls, through an old growth forest to the observation platforms at the crest of the Falls and is handicap accessible. Steps lead to the bottom of the falls where the water crashes into the Tahquamenon River. There is a 4 mile hiking trail along the river to the Lower Falls. (Park map)

A restaurant and gift shop are located at the Upper Falls. Originally a logging camp, the building is a replica of the original camp, Camp 33. There is a large deck with a fireplace and places to sit and relax. There are picnic tables scattered near the trail entrance for enjoying a picnic lunch. Handicap accessible restrooms are located by the entrance to the trail that leads to the Upper Falls.
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