Tahquamenon Falls State Park: Things to Do, Brewery, Camping, Hiking Trail Maps, Hotels and Photos of Michigan's Most Jaw Dropping Waterfalls (Upper and Lower Falls)


Tahquamenon Falls State Park | By: Sherry Trautman | Travel- Mi.com | Updated: September 29, 2023

Did you know the Upper Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan?  It is absolutely breathtaking during all four of Michigan's seasons.

Since it's so close to Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island, be sure to start your trip there and then head north through 80 miles breathtaking scenery. 

Keep reading for:

  • Best Tahquamen Falls Camping 
  • Best Tahquamen Falls Hotels and Lodging - Where to Stay!
  • Best Tahquamen Falls Things to do! (At both the Lower and Upper Falls)


Upper Peninsula Michigan Map and Tahquamenon Falls State Park Directions 


Tahquamenon Falls is 1 hour, 30 minutes (80 miles) from Mackinaw City. You will cross the Mackinac Bridge on Interstate 75 and then continue north on US 123 to the Falls.


Along the Way, Keep an Eye Out for This Spectacular Pond!


This gorgeous pond is located on the north side of US 123, just before reaching the park.  It's really jaw dropping!


How Much Does It Cost to Get Into Tahquamenon Falls?

How much does it cost to get into Tahquamenon Falls?

You will need a recreational passport that is valid for one year and/or until your license plate registration expires. Per 2023:

In State

Vehicles: $13 when purchased with your license plate registration.

Vehicles: $18 when purchased at state parks (Recreation Passport fee + $5 convenience fee = $18)

Motorcycles: $7 when purchased with your license plate registration renewal 

Motorcycles: $12 ($7 passport fee, plus $5 convenience fee) when purchased at state parks.

Out of State: 

Annual: $39 

Daily: $11 (good for entry and re-entry to any state park for the day)

Towed motor vehicle: $8

You can get into any Michigan State Park including both sites (Upper and Lower Falls) at the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Pay at the entrance.


How long of a hike is Tahquamenon Falls?

To reach the Upper Falls, it is a 1/3 mile walk (all flat ground) to the upper accessible viewing area but there are also 94 steps to reach the brink (closer viewing spots). 

To reach the Lower Falls from the parking lot, there are several viewing spots very close to the parking lot.  Additional viewing spots (closer to the falls) requires a 0.4 mile walk. 


Is Tahquamenon Falls Worth Visiting?

The breathtaking Upper Falls is Michigan's largest waterfall so yeah, it's definitely worth visiting. Did you know it is approximately 200 feet across with a 50-foot drop? Freakin' incredible!


What Should I Pack for Tahquamenon Falls?

Here is what I always bring when headed to the falls:


● Friendly dogs on leashes are welcome on trails

● Wheelchairs are available to borrow at Fact Shack

● The park is open year-round

Where to Stay Near Tahquamenon Falls (Recommended Hotels and Lodging)


Tahquamenon Falls Interactive Map - (zoom in and out, click on the icons for more info)

  • Click on the plus and minus in the left corner to zoom in or out of the map.
  • Click on the icons for more info, addresses and photos of the stops.
  • Click on the map to drag and move it to view surrounding areas.
  • In the Header, click on the rectangle in the upper left of the map to see a menu of all of our stops. Click on anything that looks interesting to see where it is on the map. To hide the menu, click the rectangle in the header.
  • In the Header, click on the "square" icon in the upper right side to expand the map for better viewing.

If you are wondering where to stay near Tahquamenon Falls, the two towns closest to the Falls are Newberry, Michigan and Paradise, Michigan. We have hotels and lodging options for both towns below.

We always stay in Newberry.  Mostly out of habit as we go there for snowmobiling in the winter and there are more amenities. 


Americas Best Value Inn & Suites - Tahquamenon Country


Address:  12956 Michigan 28, Newberry, MI 49868, United States of America

This Tahquamenon Falls hotel has an indoor pool, hot tub and sauna.  We enjoyed the pool. 


Quality Inn & Suites


Address: 13954 State Hwy M-28, Newberry, Michigan

The Quality Inn and Suites is where we personally stay.  It's 30 miles (35 minutes) to Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

The check in area is very nice and I love their store with cute things from the UP. We had a suite with a separate bedroom which was nice and the bed was comfortable.  


Tahquamenon Suites Lodging


Address: 7967 N. M-123, Paradise, MI 49768, United States of America

The Tahquamenon Suites Lodging motel is only 12 minutes (10.8 miles) from Tahquamenon Falls State Park!  The nice thing is, the rooms have a kitchen, which is super important if you have a special diet, prefer to cook your own meals to save money with families or want to have breakfast and snacks before you leave for the day. 

The motel rooms have air conditioning, a large seating area, flat-screen TV with satellite channels, dining area and a private bathroom.


Tahquamenon Falls State Park Camping Map


Looking for Tahquamenon Falls camping options? Here are three great Tahquamenon Falls camping spots with a map of their locations above. 

Tahquamenon Falls State Park Portage Campground- 6867 N Lower Campground Ln, Paradise, MI 49768. 

Tahquamenon State Park Campground North-Unnamed Road, Paradise, MI 49768

Tahquamenon Falls State Park Rivermouth  Campgrounds- 41382 M-123, Paradise, MI 49768

Each of these camp sites have their merits so read more: Book camping reservations 


Camping/Water Exploring Must: Water Sports Shoes Barefoot Quick-Dry Aqua Yoga Socks Slip-on for Men Women

It's a good idea to bring water shoes so you can explore the waterways and it's also safer for the showers!

What's Cool? They come in a ton of super cute patterns!


Ready to Explore? Let's Start at the Upper Tahquamenon Falls!

First Viewing Area at Tahquamenon FallsFirst Viewing Area at Tahquamenon Falls


41382 W. M 123, Paradise MI, 49768

At 200 feet wide and 50 feet tall, the Upper Falls is absolutely breathtaking! You only need to walk a quarter-mile of paved trail to reach the viewing areas.



Climb the 94 steps down to the Brink viewing area to get a closer look at the magnificent falls. For another spectacular viewing spot, follow the paved trail downstream to the gorge, where 116 steps continue to the river's edge.  


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.

Upper Falls Trail Map

The water flow is more than 50,000 gallons per second!

 


From the Gorge View, you can hike the River Trail 4.8 miles to the lower falls (or drive to it). 

Accessible restrooms are located by the entrance to the trail that leads to the Upper Falls.



As you can see, Tahquamenon Falls is spectacular during all four seasons!


Grab a Brew and Great Eats at the Tehquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub


After parking at the Upper Falls, we recommend putting your name in for reservations at the Tehquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub.  Don't wait until you are starving (nobody wants to deal with "Hangry" emerging, lol!) as the wait can be over an hour during prime tourist summer months (we learned the hard way).  

There are also a few other walk up food choices also, like a really good taco place that I ate at while waiting for a table at the brewery.  



While you are waiting for your table, wander through the fantastic stores for souvenirs, clothing and fun finds! Camp 33 Gift Shop has a great variety of apparel and a huge selection of shoes, purses, jewelry, toys and handcrafted goods.


Tahquamenon Lower Falls


The entrance to the Lower Falls is four miles east of the Upper Falls along M-123. You can photograph these falls along a paved walkway. A quarter-mile boardwalk will take you through a thick forest leading to viewing platforms for an up-close look at the falls. 


Tahquamenon Lower FallsTahquamenon Lower Falls

This is a view of the island taken from the main path to the Lower Falls. The boardwalk on the left of the photo above is on the island.



It is fun to hike the circle around the island to truly see the Lower Falls, and the rental rowboats are the perfect (and only) way to get there!

The boats are very stable and life vests are provided.  Safe for kids to ride along. You can pay with credit card at the nearby gift shop before walking down to the launching area.


Lower Falls Hiking and Trail Map


Here is a fantastic map of the hiking trails, parking locations, restroom spots and layout.  You can see the location for the boat rentals and the island on the map.


Tahquamenon Falls Hiking Trails


Tahquamenon Falls offers fantastic hiking opportunities with wonderful views and shady spots.  See the trail map above to begin planning your trip!


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What is the largest waterfall in Michigan? Not rated yet
We wondered where the largest waterfall in Michigan is located? We are going on a waterfall tour this summer!! Answer Hi Josh, The largest waterfall …

How long of a hike is Tahquamenon Falls? Not rated yet
We wondered how much work it is to hike to Tahquamenen falls, is it hard? Answer Hi Sharen, To reach the Upper Falls, it is a 1/3 mile walk …

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We would love to visit there is summer and wondered how much it costs? Thank you. Darren T. Answer Hi Darren, The cost to enter Tahquamenon …

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I'm sooooo excited to travel to Tahquamenom Falls again this summer, I snapped this pic last year. I'm planning an upper peninsula road trip so if you have any ideas of what I can see on the way to the falls or in the UP please let me know!! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #tahquamenonfalls #michigan #waterfalls #michiganwaterfalls #majestic #bluesky #Michigan #puremichigan #michigantravel #greatlakesstate #michiganstate #puremittenpride #lovemichigan #michiganders #exploremichigan #puremittigan #northernmichigan #greatlakesstate #greatlakeslocals #getlost #mittenlove#midwestmoment #michiganders #mittensmitten #onlyinmichigan #michiganoverboard #naturalmichigan #mittenstatelove #landscapephotography #travelingmichigan

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About the Lead Author | Sherry Trautman

Thanks for stopping by!

Our Words of Wisdom: “Never follow anyone else’s path. Unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path, then by all means follow that path.”

"Sherry & Chris"

We're Sherry and Chris the founders of one of Michigan's most comprehensive and Top Travel Blogs!

    Sherry Trautman is a seasoned business owner and a multifaceted content creator, deeply entrenched in the world of travel in Michigan. With her extensive background in writing, editing, photography, marketing, website design, web mastering, social media, and publishing, she is the driving force behind the acclaimed Michigan Travel site "Travel-mi.com." A lifelong Michigander, Sherry's journey began in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan led her to St. Joseph during her formative years, and further to Kalamazoo for her higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design and Fine Art from Western Michigan University. Her career initially blossomed in Battle Creek, where she contributed significantly to aviation, marketing, and the art industry.

    In 2018, Sherry, alongside her husband Chris, embarked on a passionate endeavor with the inception of Travel-MI.com. This venture was not just a business but a full-time commitment to exploring and celebrating the diverse landscapes and communities of Michigan. Together, they tirelessly traverse the state, curating unique experiences, capturing stunning visuals, and weaving engaging narratives that showcase Michigan's rich cultural tapestry and natural beauty. From her early experiences in different Michigander locales to her extensive professional background, Sherry's life and work epitomize a deep-rooted expertise in Michigan travel, making her an authoritative voice in this niche.

Sherry & Chris are at the Inn at Bay Harbor and looking out at the lake.
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