# Tahquamenon Falls [http://www.shorelinevisitorsguide.com/select-michigan-state-park-maps-and-guides/tahquamenon-falls-state-park/](http://www.shorelinevisitorsguide.com/select-michigan-state-park-maps-and-guides/tahquamenon-falls-state-park/) AT LEAST 4 HOURS AT THE FALLS! It is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, all year round. To access the park, you will need a current Michigan Recreation Passport for residents or non-residents. Tahquamenon Falls is a 77.5-mile (1.5-hour) drive from Grand Marais and an 88.3-mile drive (just over 1.5 hours) from Munising, the two gateways to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. **Directions** Tahquamenon Falls State Park Upper Parking Lot! Tahquamenon (Tah-kwa-me-non) Falls State Park is located at (LOWER FALLS) 41382 W. M-123, Paradise. There is also an entrance to the park on M-123 in Newberry. GPS: 46.610734,-85.206323 Upper Falls^^ (Construction on viewing platform set to wrap on 10/01/25 but all three other platforms are open and available.) ### Tahquamenon Upper Falls The Upper Falls at Tahquamenon is the park’s premier attraction. The beautiful waterfall is 200 feet wide and drops 50 feet into the river below. The water is an interesting brown color that churns into a rainbow hue of mahoganies and tans. The color comes from tannins leached from the surrounding cedar and hemlock trees and is not, as some jokingly claim, the run-off from a nearby root beer factory. **This is why you’ll sometimes hear this waterfall called Root Beer Falls.** To reach the Upper Falls viewing area, simply walk about ¼ mile to reach the overlook. This is a great spot to snap some photos of the falls. If you want a closer look, heading to the brink viewing platform is a great idea, just be prepared for steps! You’ll need to climb down 93 of them. If you want an even closer look, you can climb down another 112 steps to reach the river. Beautiful! \*To reach the Upper Falls, walk a short distance from the parking lot and follow the ⅓-mile ADA-accessible paved path and boardwalk to the viewing area. For a closer look at the brink, you will need to descend 94 steps. From the paved path, you also can take a right at the fork and descend 116 steps to the base of the gorge. A long boardwalk path takes you to a viewing area that gives you the most direct view of the falls.\* ### Tahquamenon Lower Falls Although the Upper Tahquamenon Falls is the larger and more famous cascade, the Lower Tahquamenon Falls are absolutely worth a visit. These falls are actually a series of five waterfalls surrounding a small island, creating a tranquil and picturesque scene. The Lower Falls viewing area receives fewer visitors than the Upper Falls–perfect if you don’t fancy crowds! Take a look at the falls from the different viewing platforms. Walk along the boardwalk to get to one of the prettiest viewing points: a platform at the edge of the trees. There is now a footbridge to the island! A 0.4-mile, ADA-accessible path from the parking lot takes you to viewing areas along the river bank. A 143-foot, universally accessible pedestrian bridge offers beautiful views of the falls and Tahquamenon River. Once on the island, you can take an ADA-accessible boardwalk around the island for close-up views of the falls. There are also ADA-accessible restrooms and a concession store are also at this site. The lower falls has an excellent .75 mile boardwalk to the viewing platforms and a little island you can walk around to take in the sights. I believe they are still working on the upper falls viewing platform so that’s a 100-step staircase down/up to view them. Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub Camp 33 Gift Shop ### What Else Is There To Do Near Tahquamenon Falls? One of the best ways to enjoy the beauties of Upper Peninsula Michigan is with a road trip! ##### Head down the M-123 **Tahquamenon Scenic Byway**. Continue along Lake Superior to visit Crisp Point Lighthouse, one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Michigan State. **Crisp Point Lighthouse**: 1944 Co Hwy 412, Newberry, MI 49868 Tahquamenon Falls-Nature Trail: 0.5mi - A half-mile, forested trail offering an alternative route from the Upper Falls viewing area back to the parking lot. The trail is groomed for cross-country skiing and integrated into the park’s lantern-lit winter trail program. The Nature Trail provides an alternative half-mile route from the Upper Falls viewing area back to the parking lot. This forested trail features excellent birding during spring migration and is carpeted with ferns during the summer. The Nature Trail is integrated into the lantern-lit cross-country ski and snowshoe program typically offered every Saturday in February. #### Dark sky park is great here too! #### **Oswald's Bear Ranch** [https://www.oswaldsbearranch.com/](https://www.oswaldsbearranch.com/) Open from Memorial Day through October 10th. $30/car. 9a-5p Pictures with cubs $10/group Mixed reviewed on morality. [![image.png](https://wikipedia.mutschlerhome.com/uploads/images/gallery/2025-09/scaled-1680-/JASimage.png)](https://wikipedia.mutschlerhome.com/uploads/images/gallery/2025-09/JASimage.png)