Michigan’s diverse landscape has made it one of the most beautiful states in the country. Tahquamenon Falls is actually two waterfalls (Upper and Lower) that are found in Tahquamenon Falls State Park. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Upper Peninsula, here are five fun things to do when you visit Tahquamenon Falls this year.
First time visiting Michigan? Read our vacation guide for things to do, places to eat, and dates for festivals all over the Wolverine state.
Five Fun Things to do in Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Exploring the Park
Tahquamenon Falls State Park sits on roughly 50,000 acres of protected land and covers 13+ miles of the beloved Upper Peninsula. Mostly undeveloped, pure Michigan land, the park is a must-see if you are a lover of nature. Getting into the park is free with a Michigan state park pass or $17/car or $11/motorcycle.
Hiking to the Tahquamenon Falls (Upper and Lower)
The Upper Falls is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi River with a flow of 50,000 gallons of water per second. Nicknamed The Root Beer Falls for the color of its flow, hiking to the Upper Falls is pretty easy to do once you are in the park. The hiking trail is a 1.5-mile loop that is rated as kid-friendly.
The Lower Falls is actually made up of several cascading waterfalls and is a bit harder to access with a 2.6-mile hike required.
View and Observe Wildlife
The park is teeming with wildlife both in the water and in the undeveloped 50,000 acres of prime Michigan land! Staff at the park will host daily programs during the summer to see the moose, bears, and other animals that populate the Upper Peninsula. You can also go hiking on one of the several trails in the park to go birdwatching if you prefer to be self-guided.
Take a Train and Riverboat Tour
Book a riverboat tour during the summer and fall with Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tours to see the beautiful area from a different vantage point. The 6.5-hour tour starts with a train ride through the wilderness and is followed by a riverboat cruise, a nature hike, and a return home. It is a fun day trip for the kids and adults to see the wildlife and the power of the falls from the water and the private viewing deck.
Stay at a Freshwater Vacation Rental
Freshwater Vacation Rentals offers the ultimate getaway to Michigan’s beautiful outdoors. We have a selection of properties across the state, including the Upper Peninsula. Check out our UP Things to Do page for a closer look into everything that this region has to offer.
Start planning your vacation today by booking one of our rentals. We look forward to welcoming you to the Freshwater family!