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Tahquamenon Falls

Photo: USFWS Midwest Region from United States / Public domain · source

🌊 Lakes & rivers

Tahquamenon Falls

Paradise, MI · Eastern Upper Peninsula, Michigan

About

Tahquamenon Falls runs the color of root beer, its water stained amber by tannins leached from the cedar swamps upstream. The Upper Falls is the headline act, a single drop of about 48 feet spread more than 200 feet wide, one of the largest waterfalls by volume east of the Mississippi. In late spring runoff the river can push 50,000 gallons a second over the lip. Four miles downstream, the Lower Falls breaks into five smaller cascades wrapped around an island you reach by rented rowboat or by wading in summer. A paved path and a stairway of 94 steps drop you to the Upper Falls viewing decks, close enough to feel the spray. Come in early May for peak flow or in October when the surrounding hardwoods turn. The park sits near Paradise in the eastern Upper Peninsula. A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry.

Highlights

48 ft single drop, 200+ ft wideRoot-beer color from cedar tanninsUp to 50,000 gallons/sec in spring runoffLargest waterfall in Michigan94-step stairway to Upper Falls decksRecreation Passport required (nonresident $11/day)

Getting there

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