Tahquamenon Falls
State Park encompasses close to 40,000 acres stretching over
13 miles. Most of this is undeveloped woodland without road,
buildings, or power lines. The centerpiece of the park, and the
very reason for its existence, is the Tahquamenon River, with
its waterfalls.
The Upper Falls
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
these falls.
The Lower Falls
Four miles downstream is the
Lower Falls, a series of five smaller falls cascading around
an island. Although not as dramatic as the Upper Falls, they
are equally magnificent. The falls can be viewed from the river
bank or from the island, which can be reached by rowboat rented
from a park concession. The island walk affords a view of the
falls in the south channel.
The Tahquamenon River
Rising from springs north of
McMillan and drains the watershed of an area of more than 790
square miles. From its source, it meanders 94 miles before emptying
into Whitefish Bay. The amber color of the water is not rust
nor is it muddiness; it is caused by tannin leached from the
Cedar, Spruce and Hemlock in the swamps drained by the river.
The extremely soft water churned by the action of the falls causes
the large amounts of foam, which has been the trademark of the
Tahquamenon since the days of the voyagers.
Recreational Activities
The park offers visitors a wide
variety of recreational opportunities. During the spring and
summer, camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, nature study and
photography are popular activities. Fall colors provide a beautiful
picturesque view of the park. In addition, hunters will find
ample opportunities to pursue their sport. Winter offers opportunity
for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing with miles
of marked trails. Ice formations along Lake Superior and frozen
waterfalls are a photographer's delight. Moose are occasionally
seen wandering through the park, and from time to time, bald
eagles are also spotted by visitors. Black bear, coyotes, otter,
deer, fox, porcupine, beaver and mink are a few of the other
wildlife which can be seen in the park. The abundant bird life
includes spruce grouse, sharptail grouse, pileated woodpeckers
and a variety of waterfowl and songbirds. One of the few nesting
sites in Michigan for the sandhill crane is found in the park.
Camping
Four campgrounds are available
in the park; two modern campgrounds at the Lower Falls and a
modern and semi-modern campground at the Rivermouth. Each of
the modern campgrounds have approximately 90 sites and each site
is equipped with electricity, a fire pit and a table. Hot showers
and flush toilets are also features of the modern campground.
Sanitation stations are available at the Lower Falls and Rivermouth
Units. There is no campground located at the Upper Falls. This
is the land of Longfellow's Hiawatha - "by the rushing Tahquamenaw"
Hiawatha built his canoe. Long before the white man set eyes
on the river, the abundance of fish in its waters and animals
along its shores attracted the Ojibwa Indians, who camped, farmed,
fished and trapped along its banks. In the late 1800's came the
lumber barons and the river carried their logs by the millions
to the mills. Lumberjacks, who harvested the tall timber, were
among the first permanent white settlers in the area.
