Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Aug 12
When we were still in lower Michigan we made reservation at Muskallonge Lake State Park because of it's proximity  to many of the "must see in the U.P." places. We had a few days to kill so we decided to head for Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  There are two campgrounds, Lower Falls (188 campsites) and Rivermouth (72 campsites).  Finding a campsite without a reservation on the weekends can be difficult, but we've had no problems on weekdays.  To be safe I called about 9:00am and they had 5 open sites between the two locations.  Not very many but we were only about an hour and a half away so we started heading that way.  About half an hour out we called again and there were only 2 available sites.  Our first choice was the Lower Falls location because of the proximity to the Falls but with the available sites going fast we decided to shoot for the Rivermouth Campground, 9 miles closer.  I walked into the office at Rivermouth with trepidation  in  my heart, "Any campsites available..." I asked?  The lady walked over to her computer and paused................................
she said "One site just opened due to a cancellation."  "I'LL TAKE IT!"

Rivermouth turned out to be a lucky break.  It's right on the Tahquamenon River where it empties into Lake Superior, hence the name, Rivermouth.  Our site (#63) was large and backed up to forest, however it was all sand.  And, there's a canoe launch right in the campground.  While we had to drive 9 miles to see the Lower Falls and several miles further for the Upper Falls, we preferred Rivermouth for it's paddling opportunity and it's quietness.

We setup camp, had lunch and decided to check out the Lower Falls. To get there we had to go through Paradise!  Paradise, Michigan that is.  Paradise has a few small Inns and a grocery/deli/bait & tackle shop/souvenir shop/gas station.  The only gas/diesel pumps for about 40 miles.  Reminded me of back home in Salt Springs, FL.  Michigan state parks have a daily admission charge of $8, an annual Recreation Passport can be purchased for about $11 when residents renew their driver's license.  For non-residence (like us) it cost $33 for the annual pass.  The pass is required even if you're camping in a park, and you can't camp without it.  It was kind of nice to just pull into any state park and they wave you right in.  We only camped in two State Parks, but visited several along the way so I'm not sure if we got our monies worth but at lease we were supporting their state park system.



After parking we followed a path along the shoreline with viewing platforms at strategic locations above and below the falls. The path is also the end of the River Trail that follows the river from the Upper Falls to the Lower for about 4 miles.  There's a shuttle service that will take you to the Upper Falls so you don't have to go both ways.  The Lower Falls were interesting, but not for the scenery. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful place, but we'd seen so many pictures it's like we'd already been there and it was a hazy overcast day.  What was interesting was all the people wading and playing in the small rapids above and below the Falls, (In A State Park). This seemed to be indicative of the laid back atmosphere we were experiencing in the U.P.  I don't know if things are that way in lower Michigan state parks, we never stayed in one before Tahquamenon.

Lower Falls

 Aug 13
This morning we started with a canoe trip on the Tahquamenon River.  It was a beautiful day with no wind and a little mist that burned off quickly.  We decided to paddle from the campground down stream around a bend in the river and out to Lake superior.  The water is very tanic, similar to most of the black/brown water rivers in Florida.  The trees are different though, we kept commenting about all the "Christmas Trees" growing in the U.P.

Paddling Lake Superior

About half way around the bend we saw a couple of turtles on a log.  We were suprised because we didn't think trutles would survive the severe U.P winters.


As we paddled under the M-123 bridge, the winds off  Lake Superior started picking up. The plan was to paddle to a small beach, take a picture to document that we "paddled" Lake Superior, then head back.   The chop was a little bothersome but nothing we couldn't handle.  The beach I was planning to paddle to was at a little road side park around the next point.  However, because of the wind we decided on a little strip of sand about 100 yards north of the Rivermouth.  It turned out to be a good choice.  There was a bench to prop the camera on and some drift wood to make it a little more interesting.  The wind and choppy seas made landing and launching more difficult than expected, but we accomplished our mission and headed back to the calm waters of the river.

Joan and Rick on Lake Superior.

On the way back we paddled a cut through that straightened the bend and gave us some different scenery to look at. We got back to our put-in at the campground but the morning was still young and decided to paddle a little more, up stream. On our left we passed the tent area then continued on with wilderness on both banks.  All the scenery was looking the same and the day was getting warm so we headed back to camp.  After grabing some lunch we headed toward the Upper Falls.


The Upper Falls are about 4 miles west of the Lower Falls on M-123 making the trip 13 miles from our campsite at Rivermouth.  This section of the park is more developed than the Lower Falls or Rivermouth. There are several trails with multiple viewing platforms and no one's wading in the rapids above these falls.  One trail leads right up to the Falls so you can get an up close and personal with the cascade.  That's where most of the people headed and it was getting crowded.  We decided to get a few pictures and head back along the bank to the other trail for some long views.

To get to the long view platform, you had to climb down, and ultimately back up, a significant number of steps.  By the time we got back up to the trail our legs were rubbery and we were huffing and puffing.


Okay, we got the obligatory pictures and did our share of walks along the river bank, now it's time for an early dinner at the Camp 33 Brewery.  Remember, we're in a state park and there's a Brewery, WOW I love this state!  To get to the pub you have to go through a forest of racks holding various Tee-shirts, Sweat shirts and Jackets poclaiming you've been to Tahquamenon Falls.

It was still a little early and our main draw was to sample the beer so we took a seat at the bar.  We always try something that's on tap and a local brew is prefered. We also like dark beers so Joan ordered the Black Bear Stout and for some unknown reason I ordered the Harvest Weat Ale.  I don't remember what I was thinking, I should have tried the Falls Tannin.  I guess the name turned me off. I was invisioning a glass of tannin river water.  My beer was Okay, nothing to write home about. Joan's, on the other hand was WONDERFUL.  It was hardy and very, very smooooooth.

After dinner we snapped a selfie with a local.

After browsing the menu, we decided to get a table and the first thing we ordered was another grass of Black Bear Stout.  Our menu selections wern't memorable but the beer was.

After we returned from the Upper Falls we decided to take a walk around the campground, to walk off some of that beer.  As we passed this campsite I saw a Chipmunk trying desperately to get under the wall of this very large dinning canopy. At first grance it looked like he wanted to get inside and steal a choice morsel from the picnic table.  But after watching him for a minute it became evident that the dinning canopy was between him and the safety of the forest.  He did eventually make it under the canopy wall, scurried out the door on the other side and headed into the forest.

Coming soon, Muskallonge Lake State Park.