Incredible Tahquamenon Falls Winter Guide: The State Park is Open! Best Activities, Pictures, Winter Snowshoeing and Hiking Maps, Adventures, Things to Do and See in Michigan's Upper Peninsula!
Tahquamenon Falls Winter Guide | By: Sherry Trautman | Travel-Mi.com | Updated: October 23, 2022
Can you visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Winter? You bet cha! It's freakin' incredible! There are so many Tahquamenon Falls winter activities!
Chris and I love hiking, snowshoeing and viewing Michigan's largest waterfalls each winter. So many things to do!
Learn More About:
Is Tahquamenon Falls Open in the Winter?
YES, Tahquamenon Falls State Park is open! You will love it, Chris and I had an absolutely blast!
UPPER FALLS: The Upper Falls are open, the parking lot is plowed and the bathrooms are open-real flushing toilets!. The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub are also open (maybe double check their website before you go).
- The Brink viewing deck is open but the Gorge viewing deck is not.
LOWER FALLS: You can park in a further out lot and walk 1 mile each way to the lower falls. Note: The walk is downhill to the falls and well, uphill on the way back.
Does Tahquamenon Falls Freeze?
No, the Falls do not freeze. Both the upper and lower falls are incredible to see in the winter! However, the section of the lower falls near the viewing decks freezes to a small river.
Hi! I'm Sherry, Let's Explore Tahquamenon Upper Falls in Winter!
We will start with the magnificent Upper Falls first and then hike to the Lower Falls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park!
So get bundled up and let's go!
Tahquamenon Upper Falls Winter Map (Snowshoe Trails)
(The red star is the paved parking lot-your starting point.)
This Tahquamenon Upper Falls Winter Map shows the 1/3 mile walk to the viewing areas, snow shoe trails, the Giant Pines Ski Loop, and Lantern loop. The Lantern loop is the guided snowshoeing hiking trail offered on the weekends in February.
Upper Falls Winter Activities at Tahquamenon Falls
- Each February, Tahquamenon Falls has fun weekend activities such as snowshoeing by lantern light.
- Bring cross country skis to ski the Great Pines Ski Loop!
- Got snowshoes? Bring 'em and explore the snowshoe trails!
Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub at Tahquamenon Upper Falls
Grab Lunch or Dinner at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub at Tahquamenon Upper FallsClip on your feed bags because the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub are open daily 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
The servers are so friendly and they have a great beer list and food menu. It's a great place to warm up before you begin your hike to the lower falls!
Fun clothing items and gifts at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub at Tahquamenon Upper Falls
Plus, there is a cute shop to buy Tahquamenon Falls souvenirs such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, socks and stickers right inside the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub.
Let's Walk to the Upper Falls in Tahquamenon Falls State Park!
The walk to the Upper Falls is absolutely majestic, especially after a fresh snowfall.
There is one viewing area and then the 94 steps to the Brink. The steps are metal, so be sure to hold the handrail on the way down. The National Park Service at Tahquamenon Falls State Park works hard to keep these stairs clean all winter!
Isn't this incredible!? There is a pathway that leads to different views of the Upper Tahquamenon Falls so you can get great photos.
But then it's all worth it because the views of the rushing waterfall and icy trees are incredible!
Let's Explore Tahquamenon Falls State Park's Lower Falls in Winter!
Lower Falls Winter Activities at Tahquamenon Falls
- Skiing
- Hiking
- Photography
- Snowshoeing
Lower Tahquamenon Falls Winter Trail Map
Above is the detailed Lower Tahquamenon Falls Winter Trail Map that is perfect for snowshoeing, hiking and skiing.
Take note: The closest parking for the Lower Falls is a 2 mile round trip walk or snowshoe.
Once you get to the summer parking lot, you will see the entrance to the hike to the lower falls.
Be sure to see the gushing falls before you begin your hike to the viewing platforms.
This is the #13 snowshoe trailhead on the map above. It is a very scenic trail taking you through the woods.
What happens at the Lower Falls stays at the Lower Falls, right? Lol
Seriously though, we were pretty happy to have open outhouses at the Lower Falls....no squatting in the snow, right?
The path to this viewing platform is not groomed or shoveled so you will have to trudge through snow. Wear tall and warm boots!
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