17 Tahquamenon Falls Things To Do: The Ultimate Guide 2024
Are you looking for the best Tahquamenon Falls things to do?
If so, this guide has you covered with 17 awesome activities to get you exploring this stunning Michigan attraction.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park features one of the largest waterfalls eastern upper Peninsula Michigan has to offer, plus miles of hiking trails, water sports opportunities, fishing, camping, geocaching, and winter fun. And those are only a few of the possibilities!
Read on to learn about all the best things to do in Tahquamenon Falls, plus tips on what to do nearby, how much time to spend there, and where to stay. Let’s dive in!
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17 Things To Do In Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls lends itself to the outdoor enthusiast. The area’s natural splendor is certain to wow you.
Although standing and taking in the views is a perfectly valid way to enjoy this beautiful spot, Tahquamenon is also an awe-inspiring place to enjoy a whole slew of fun activities.
1. Toonerville Trolley & Riverboat Tour
One of the top Tahquamenon Falls things to do is the Toonerville Trolley & Riverboat Tour! This full-day adventure starts in Soo Junction, where you’ll board a narrow-gauge train. The tranquil train ride leads through a beautiful forest where you’ll get the chance to sight wildlife. This is considered one of the best train rides in the state.
Once you reach the river, you’ll board a riverboat and enjoy a calm 21-mile ride. Along the way, you can soak in the views and learn some intriguing facts about local flora and fauna, logging, and Native American history.
PRO TIP: There is also a cash-only grill and bar on board for your eating and drinking pleasure.
Once the Riverboat reaches the rapids above Tahquamenon Falls, you’ll have the chance to walk 5/8ths of a mile to a private viewing area to see the beautiful waterfall for yourself.
Enjoy the ride back to Soo Junction by returning by boat and then by train. This tour begins at 10:30 am and ends at 5 pm.
2. Visit 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!
3. Visit 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.
PRO TIP: If you enjoy hiking, consider taking the four-mile trail between the Upper and Lower Falls. Although it is challenging, it’s a super scenic trail. Check out #5 for more details!
To fully enjoy Lower Falls, I recommend renting a rowboat. Read on to learn more.
4. Rent a Rowboat
If you are visiting Tahquamenon in the summer months, renting a rowboat is a great choice!
Rowboats are typically available at the concession stand. Don your lifejacket, take up your paddle and shove off into the beautiful river. Row to the island in the center of the falls for an amazing close-up experience of gallons of water slipping downstream.
If you have the time and inclination, you can dock on the island and walk a perimeter trail for an even closer view of the falls. If you enjoy fishing, why not take your gear along? Drop a line into the river and try your luck at catching a brown trout, muskie, or northern pike.
5. Hike the Tahquamenon Falls State Park Trails
If you love hiking, you’ll love Tahquamenon Falls State Park! This gorgeous natural wonderland features over 35 miles of hiking trails with options for every skill level.
✅ The Giant Pines Loop is a 3.8-mile trail that leads through a beautiful hemlock forest brimming with wildlife and scenic brooks. You’ll also get to see two of the largest giant white pine trees in Michigan. They date back to the 1800s! This trail is accessible from the Stable’s picnic area or the Upper Falls area.
✅ The River Trail is one of the most famous and challenging trails in Tahquamenon Falls. The effort is well worth it because the scenery from this trail is amazing! This four-mile route connects the Upper and Lower Falls and leads along the river. It has multiple staircases, hills, and exposed roots, so is best tackled by seasoned hikers. Make sure you take lots of water with you, as well as snacks, and bug spray.
✅ The Clark Lake Loop is a pretty 5.2-mile trail that leads through pine forests. You’ll also pass jack pine uplands, mossy lowlands, abundant ferns, blueberries, and silver and green lichen. Views of Clark Lake add to the beauty. For a longer walk, connect to the Wilderness Loop.
✅ The Wilderness Loop is a 7.4-mile primitive trail that crosses through old-growth hemlock forests, pine ridges, and peatlands. It is one of the more challenging trails in the park, so be sure to go prepared with plenty of water and snacks.
Check out this post on Tahquamenon Falls hiking routes & tips for more details.
6. Swim in the River
There’s nothing quite like swimming in crystal-clear water near a waterfall! Enjoy the chilly refreshing waters of the Tahquamenon River by swimming at Lower Falls. You can wade into the river, float, or step behind the waterfall!
PRO TIP: The current is strong so if you are going with kids, hold their hands! The rocks can be pointy, so consider wearing water shoes or water sandals to protect your feet.
7. Enjoy Winter Sports
If you plan to visit Tahquamenon Falls in the winter, you’re in luck! There are plenty of wonderful winter sports to enjoy. You can go snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
The Great Pines Trail is an excellent choice for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. You can see the frozen upper falls and admire two of the largest white pines in Michigan.
Snowmobiling is also a super fun activity you can enjoy near the park. Consider snowmobiling on Trail 8 (which ends near Crisp Point Lighthouse), or take the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway.
8. Go Camping
Camping is another of the best Tahquamenon Falls things to do. Immerse yourself in nature, roast hot dogs and marshmallows over a crackling fire, and star gaze at night. Delightful!
The Lower Falls Campground or Rivermouth Modern Campground is a great choice for camping inside the park and features 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups and bathrooms. There are 188 total camping spots with a nice variety of sun, shade, and river views to choose from.
Dispersed camping is available on the North Country Trail. These sites include access to a latrine, fire ring, picnic table, and bear bag.
9. Try Geocaching
Another fun thing to try at Tahquamenon is geocaching! Add a bit of a treasure hunt to the experience of the park by navigating to the Tahquamenon geocache. Follow the directions to sign the logbook, exchange nicknacks, and go right on having an amazing time enjoying the falls.
If you have kids, this is a fun way to get them involved in enjoying the area. Learn more about the Tahquamenon geocache.
10. Go on a Guided Hike
Although many visitors to Tahquamenon do nothing more than check out the Upper Falls, there is so much more you can do here! Stop by the visitor center to learn about the current guided hikes, tours, and talks on offer.
In the winter, the Guided Snowshoe Hike is a fun activity. Follow a park naturalist through the forests, learning more about the park and learning some fun tips and tricks to improve your snowshoeing technique.
The Lantern-LIt Snowshoe trail is also an amazing event. It is held on certain Saturday evenings and involves snowshoeing a 1-mile trail lit with 70 kerosene lanterns. How cool is that?
During the summer, you can enjoy archery, aquatic insect hikes, astronomy walks, archery, and insect safaris. Fun!
PRO TIP: If you’d like a guided tour of the park, schedule one 6 months in advance by calling or emailing Theresa Neal (906-259-3959), the park interpreter. The guided tours take 45 minutes and end at the Upper Falls viewing platform.
11. Go Fishing
If you have the hankering to go fishing, Tahquamenon Falls is an incredible spot to do so! You can fish from the shore above the falls and between the lower and upper falls or by renting a boat or fishing charter and heading out into the river!
The Tahquamenon River is full to the brim with a whole slew of fish species including brown trout, yellow perch, walleye, muskellunge, northern pike, and smallmouth bass.
12. Go Canoeing or Kayaking
Another great way to enjoy Tahquamenon Falls State Park is to go canoeing or kayaking. Watercraft are available for rent at the Lower Falls during the summer months, however, you can also rent from The Woods, on M-123.
As you paddle the river, you’ll be in a prime spot to sight blue herons, eagles, sandhill cranes, beavers, deer, otters, wolves, and moose.
If you have your own canoe or kayak, you’ll have the freedom to go wherever you want on the river! You can put in at the Lower Falls and kayak to the river mouth (or vice versa), work your arm muscles, and enjoy the tranquility of being in a beautiful place.
13. Enjoy Photography
Taking photos is another fun thing to do at Tahquamenon!
The park features miles of hiking trails, beautiful waterfalls, hemlock forests, silvery lichen, and more. Not only that, the changing color of the water can make for even more interesting photos.
If you are up for a challenge, there is always the opportunity to engage in wildlife photography as well. Set yourself up in the woods and wait for the birds and forest creatures to wander into view!
The changing seasons add extra beauty as well with fall foliage or frozen winter scenes.
14. Go Birding
Birding is another fabulous activity to enjoy at Tahquamenon. Over 300 species of birds have been sighted in Tahquamenon thanks to its unique location in a migration corridor. Many birds fly down to Whitefish Point from Canada and then continue through the park. They use the same route to return, making this a birder’s paradise!
There are also great birding opportunities during the breeding season. The hiking trails lead through multiple habitats, so if you hit several, you can see quite a few different species.
15. Visit Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub
Spending time outdoors can make you pretty thirsty and hungry!
If you have a parched throat and rumbling belly, your best bet is to head to Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub. Don’t let the name fool you, there is a restaurant here as well! It even features a children’s menu.
Enjoy a delicious array of salads, soups, pasta, appetizers, and fabulous entrees. Eat some Upper Peninsula pasties with a side of coleslaw and gravy, and wash it all down with micro-brewed beers. Porcupine Pale Ale and Black Bear Stout are popular choices.
16. Shop at the Camp 33 Gift Shop
Now that you’ve eaten and drunk your fill at the Brewery & Pub, head next door to pick up some great mementos of your trip. This gift shop features a whole range of Upper Peninsula merchandise including shirts, hoodies, hats, shoes, purses, stuffed animals, toys, and handicrafts.
You can also pick up Merrell shoes, Minnetonka Moccasins, art prints, mugs, sunglasses, baskets, blankets, and more.
The gift shop is open from 10 am to 5 pm May 1st through the 3rd week of October.
17. Join a Special Event
There are several special events that take place (or end) in Tahquamenon Falls. These include the Two Hearted Train Run, the Tahqua Trail Run, the Wilderness Canoe Race, and the Harvest Festival.
✅ Two-Hearted Trail Run
The Two-Hearted Run is a Marathon or Half Marathon trail run that leads along the rugged coastline, beautiful forests, and shoreline of Culhane Lake and the Little Two-Hearted River. The race takes place in June.
✅ Tahqua Trail Run
The Tahqua Trail Run leads through spectacular scenery. Ten-kilometer and 25-kilometer races are available. This race takes place in August.
✅ Wilderness Canoe Race
The Wilderness Canoe Race can be done individually or as a team of two people. It starts at Lower Tahquamenon Falls and ends at Lake Superior. This race takes place in September.
✅ Harvest Festival
The Harvest Festival at Tahquamenon Falls takes place in September and is a fun day full of activities. During the festival, there is coffee and hot chocolate available, campsite decorating, hayrides, archery, crafts, bonfires, and a chili cook-off.
How fun is that?
Visiting Tahquamenon Falls: FAQs
In this section, you’ll find the answers to your frequently asked questions about Tahquamenon Falls State Park, including how long to spend there, if it is worth it, and what to do nearby.
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. Visit Paradise and Newberry, explore Tahquamenon Falls, and eat a tasty picnic at the Whitefish Bay Picnic Area. The water is chilly there, but it is worth dipping your toes in the water!
⭐️ Looking for more road trip ideas? Check out this ultimate Michigan road trip itinerary.
If you have time to head further north, consider Whitefish Point. Be sure to check out the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum to learn about the perilous waters of the lake and the many shipwrecks along the coast.
Continue along Lake Superior to visit Crisp Point Lighthouse, one of the most beautiful lighthouses in Michigan State.
⭐️ Want to head in the other direction towards Traverse City? Consider visiting Mackinac Island!
Where To Stay Near Tahquamenon Falls
If you’re looking for a place to stay near Tahquamenon Falls State Park, consider either of these two great options.
Tahquamenon Suites Lodging Motel
Tahquamenon Suites Lodging Hotel is a spacious accommodation option only 10 minutes from Tahquamenon State Park. This comfy lodging option is perfect for families. You’ll have access to a full kitchen equipped with utensils, cookware, dishes, and a coffee maker. The air-conditioned living spaces feature sleeper sofas, a TV, and wifi.
Enjoy all your favorite creature comforts with easy access to the natural splendor of the state park.
➡️ Check rates and book Tahquamenon Suites Lodging Motel
Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise
If you’re looking for a luxurious place to stay near Tahquamenon State Park, look no further than the Magnuson Grand Lakefront Hotel in Paradise, Michigan.
This beautiful hotel features balconies with water views, satellite television, and a complimentary breakfast. There is also an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, and hot tub.
There is wifi throughout the property and excellent customer service.
➡️ Check rates and book Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise
How Much Time Should I Spend At Tahquamenon Falls?
You should spend a minimum of 3-4 hours at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. This will give you a chance to visit both the upper and lower falls.
Of course, there is plenty more to do if you want to spend an entire day, or several days enjoying the camping, hiking, and birdwatching opportunities here.
Can You Do Tahquamenon Falls And Pictured Rocks In One Day?
Yes! If you are pressed for time, it is doable to visit Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Pictured Rocks in one day. Give yourself the entire day, and get an early start so you can hit a few hiking trails and see the top sights in each area.
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.
⭐️ Check out these top things to do in Pictured Rocks.
Keep in mind, you won’t be able to see and do everything on such a short trip, so pick your main points of interest and plan accordingly.
Is Tahquamenon Falls Worth Visiting?
Yes! Tahquamenon Falls is absolutely worth visiting. This beautiful state park features one of the largest waterfalls in Michigan, gorgeous forests, and scenic hiking trails.
There are guided walks, water sports activities, fishing, camping, stargazing, and plenty more to enjoy here.
Conclusion: Things To Do In Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls is one of Northern Michigan’s most spectacular state parks! Visit “Root beer falls”, hike the scenic river trail, wander through hemlock forests, and stargaze from your campsite.
You can also go fishing, birding, row boating, kayaking, swimming, and geocaching. Nature lovers and nature photographers will find plenty to enjoy at this incredible state park.
What about you? Which of these Tahquamenon Falls things to do catch your fancy? Are you ready to book a winter getaway or a summer road trip to this awesome state park?
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