The Tahquamenon Falls: Michigan's Niagara

The state of Michigan is known for its nature. There's obviously the great lakes, which are amazing in and of themselves, but there are also forests, islands, sand dunes, and waterfalls. With regards to waterfalls, the place to see them is in the upper peninsula of the state(often simply called "the U.P." by residents). You can spend an entire vacation just exploring the waterfalls the of the upper peninsula, as they span most of the region. If, however, you just want to hit the biggest and best, then you need to see the Tahquamenon Falls. The Tahquamenon Falls is actually many falls, designated roughly as "upper" and "lower". To get to these falls, you need to head north along I-75 from the Mackinac Bridge until you get to 123. Take 123 north until you reach the city of Paradise, Michigan. From there, the falls are about 15 miles.

If you are familiar with the Niagara Falls, Tahquamenon Falls will be a bit of a change. There are no hotels overlooking the falls, no wax museums, no fancy restaurants, etc. The Tahquamenon Falls are set out in a woods with only the state park gift shops nearby.

There are entrances at both the upper falls and lower falls, which are separated by about 4 miles. It costs $6 for a day pass that is good for either entrance. Camping is also permitted. The falls are also connected by a boardwalk that goes along the river, but unless you are prepared for an 8-mile trek, it might just be simpler to see one falls and then drive to the other one. Another option is a shuttle bus, which is $9 per person. Many visitors park at either upper or lower, walk the 4 miles to the opposite falls, and then send back one individual on the shuttle to retrieve the car and pick up the rest of the group.

The upper falls is the more popular of the two and provides a more 'traditional' falls experience. It is basically one large waterfall that you can get quite close to. It is very picturesque, and like the lower falls, has cascading brownish-yellow water. The color is due to natural tannins(a plant) and is not a sign of pollution. The upper falls has a beautiful gift shop that also serves food and drink.

The walk to the upper falls from where you park is not far, but there is a 91-step staircase down to the closest viewing point. For most this is not bad, but if you are out of shape, have asthma, or some other medical condition, be aware that this may be a struggle for you.

The lower falls, unlike the upper falls, is not one large falls but instead a series of smaller falls that run on either side of a small island. While it is possible to see these falls from the side of the river, the view is not terribly spectacular. However, you can rent a rowboat for a small fee($12) and row over to the island. I would strongly recommend this option. Once you reach the island, there is a ½ mile trail that circles it. Following the trail leads you to within feet of several breathtaking falls. Although the signs along the path do not recommend it, I saw many visitors leaving the path and actually walking out onto the falls. Opportunities for photos here are everywhere. I would recommend some form of insect protection, though, as the mosquitoes can be pretty fierce.

The lower falls also has a gift shop. It is not quite as large as the one at the upper falls, but it does offer some gifts that the upper falls shop does not have and is worth a visit. Food is also available at this gift shop.

So if you are planning a trip to check out the waterfalls in the upper peninsula of Michigan, or are going to the upper peninsula for any reason, be sure to check out the Tahquamenon Falls. They are amazing works of nature.