Tahquamenon Falls State Park Photo: Attila Nagy (anagy) / CC BY 2.5
United States › Michigan

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

ByWilderness Experts

Fast facts

  • Size: nearly 50,000 acres (200 km²), one of Michigan’s largest state parks
  • Signature feature: the Upper Falls, about 200 feet (61 m) wide with a drop of nearly 50 feet (15 m)
  • Trail link: the North Country National Scenic Trail
  • Gateway: Paradise and Newberry
  • Managed by: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The landscape

The Tahquamenon River flows through a large, wild park of northern forest, bogs and wetlands before reaching Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay. Its water is stained amber by tannins from the cedar swamps, and it pours over the broad Upper Falls and a series of smaller Lower Falls around an island. Black bears, moose, otters and many birds live here.

Best time to go

Summer is busiest, with bugs in June. Late September brings fall colour. Winter is long and snowy, with snowshoeing and skiing to frozen falls.

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Getting there and around

M-123 runs between the Upper Falls and Lower Falls areas, each with parking, trails and campgrounds. The river, Lake Superior shore and backcountry are reached by trail or canoe.

Things to do

Boardwalks and stairs lead to views of both falls. At the Lower Falls, visitors rent rowboats to reach the island. Hikers follow the river trail between the falls and the North Country Trail through the backcountry, with designated campsites. Paddlers explore the river above the falls.

Staying safe

Stay behind railings at the falls and out of the fast water above them. Black bears are present, so store food properly. Bugs can be fierce in early summer. Winter conditions are severe, so carry warm gear. Leave a trip plan for backcountry trips.

Know before you go

A Recreation Passport is needed for every vehicle. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report, so confirm conditions and reservations with the Michigan DNR before you go.

Navigation
Coordinates
46.5964, -85.2083
Magnetic declination
6.7° W (2026)

Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.

How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass

15 places in Tahquamenon Falls State Park

A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.

Getting there 1

Park entrance

On the trail 4

Campgrounds

Picnic site

Sights 10

Waterfalls

Lakes

Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).

Trip types
Day hikeCar campingWeekend backpackingCanoeing & kayakingWinter trip

Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →

Terrain
ForestRiversWetlandsCoast
Key hazards
Black bearsColdfast water above the fallsBiting insectsDeep snow and cold in winterRemote backcountry
Best seasons
Summer, Fall (foliage), Winter (snowshoeing)
Difficulty
Easy to moderate
Access / trailheads
M-123 between Newberry and Paradise in the eastern Upper Peninsula, with separate Upper Falls and Lower Falls areas.
Water
Rivers and lakes; filter or treat all water. The river is stained brown by tannins.
Cell / satellite coverage
Patchy; none in much of the backcountry.
Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
Emergencies: 911.
Permits & regulations
A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry. Backcountry camping needs a permit or reservation.
Leave No Trace
Camp only at designated backcountry sites, store food from bears, stay on boardwalks in wetlands, and pack out all waste.
Conditions by month

October This month

Average high53°F(12°C)12°C(53°F)
Average low33°F(1°C)1°C(33°F)
Rainfall4.5 in(113 mm)113 mm(4.5 in)
Daylight, mid-month10 h 59 minSunrise 7:57 a.m., sunset 6:55 p.m.

What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.

Plan a trip here →

Averages for 1991–2020 from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, measured at the Tahquamenon Falls Sp station, 1 miles (1 km)1 km (1 miles) away at 745 feet (227 m)227 m (745 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.

Before you go Conditions, permits, fire bans and closures change constantly — we summarise and link out, but always confirm with the managing agency first.
Official park website → Last verified 2026-09-21

Nearby parks

Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.

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