Kitchiti Kipi in Winter is a Breathtaking, Must-See Michigan Tourist Attraction in Michigan's Upper Peninsula | By Sherry Trautman | All photography by Traveling Michigan
Kitch iti kipi is Michigan's Largest Natural Springs and is absolutely breathtaking to see in the winter! Chris and I absolutely love it!
Located in Manistique within Michigan's Upper Peninsula, this little known tourist attraction makes the perfect Michigan winter getaway.
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What is Kitch iti kipi? Kitch-iti-kipi (The Big Spring) is Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring where you can see very large fish while taking a raft across the springs! |
Kitch-iti-kipi is located in the Palms Book State Park just outside of Manistique in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Also known as The Big Spring and “Mirror of Heaven," Kitch-iti-kipi is a magical place to visit in the winter. Check it out!
Absolutely! The lots are plowed and Kitch iti kipi is open for visitors. You may have to step over or through deep snow to get to the path so be prepared and wear boots and ski pants.
Well, someone in your party will need to manually turn a large wheel which pulls the raft across the water. See how it works in my video above!
Yes! You can visit Kitch iti kipi in the spring, summer, fall and winter! It's gorgeous any time of year!
Breathtaking Kitch iti kipi Springs (The Big Spring) in the Palms Book State Park is One of the Best Places to Visit in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the summer, too!
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Chris and I love visiting Kitchiti kipi in winter as there is less people and you can really enjoy the area.
Things to do at Kitch iti kipi include:
Around 1940 Palms Book State park protected 257 acres around Michigan's largest natural spring.
Per the City of Manistique, Big Spring measures 300 feet by 175 feet and has a depth of 40 feet. Years ago, people built rafts so they could go out into the pond. Also, shockingly, the Big Spring was also used as a dumping ground for trash.
YIKES!
However, due to the efforts of John I. Bellaire, Kitchitikipi became a state park. Thanks, John!!
Per the information display at Kitch iti kipi, from 1933 and 1942 the Civilian Conservation Corp's Camp Manistique worked to improve the Palms Book State Park. They each earned $30 a month to build roads, picnic tables, concession building and a new raft.
Hard to imagine, huh!
This early raft was supported by 55 gallon drums which was a maintenance nightmare. Each fall the raft was pulled ashore and checked for leaks. Then each spring the leaky barrels were replaced and tarred before the raft was put back into operation.
The raft was fitted with pontoons in 1957 and new decking was applied in 1961.
This is a photo of the park manager, Joe Anthony, pulling visitors across the spring in the 1930's. Pretty cool, huh! There are several more photos of the history that you can see when you arrive at the springs.
Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring maintains a constant 45 degree water temperature year-round so it rarely freezes over.
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What city is Kitch-ITI-Kipi? Not rated yet
Can you tell me how to get to Kitch-iti-Kipi? It looks fabulous and we would like to visit. Thanks!
Answer
Hey Cathy,
Kitch iti kipi is located …
Why doesn't Kitch-iti-kipi freeze? Not rated yet
Do you know why kitch iti kipi doesn't freeze? It look so magical!
Answer
Hi Darla!
Kitch iti kipi, Michigan's largest natural freshwater spring, …
Is Kitch-iti-kipi open year round? Not rated yet
Can you visit Kitch iti kipi in the winter? Or does it close in the fall?
Answer
Hey Angie,
You can visit Kitch iti kipi any time of year, even …
Are there natural springs in Michigan? Not rated yet
I wondered if there were any natural springs to visit in Michigan? Thanks!
Answer
Hey Ronald,
Absolutely! You need to check out Kitch iti Kipi …