About the area and the Hotels Near Tahquamenon Falls
The Tahquamenon Falls are two distinct waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River. Both are present near Lake Superior in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The water is notably brown from the tannins leached from the cedar swamps which the river drains. Consequently, the upper falls are also known as “The Root Beer Falls.” While Tahquamenon is now primarily linked with the falls, it initially designated an island in Whitefish Bay: Tahquamenon Island.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park contains close to 50,000 acres extending over 13 miles. Most of this is not developed, and there are woodlands without roads, giant constructions, or power lines. The main attraction of the park, and the very reason for its presence, is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls. The Upper Falls is one the most prominent waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Then almost at four miles, there is a lower fall, a chain of five more secondary falls cascading around the land. Although not as exciting as the Upper Falls, they are equally exotic. People can view the falls from the river bank or the island, where they can reach by renting a rowboat from a park concession. The island walk provides a view of the falls in the south channel. Some campsites have a 50 amp service. Moreover, Tahquamenon’s track chair helps visitors travel areas of the park where traditional wheelchairs might not. These off-road, electronic chairs can comfortably handle trails, snow, sand, and up to 8 inches of water and are present at zero cost on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is a worth visiting place and a favorite of tourists. Except for the views, there are a bunch of things that tourists do there, and the favorite things are:
- Hike the River Trail. It follows the 5 miles between the upper and lower falls. Sometimes you are leading along the river. Sometimes you are in extensive hardwood stands. It’s 10 miles round trip, but a shuttle bus in peak times can get you back to the trailhead.
- Rent a rowboat at the lower falls to go to Lower Falls Island—it’s fun to row the boat crossed the river and then hiking the half-mile trail around the island.
- The river mouth campground is the best place to camp in Michigan. Lake Superior is right there. Site #19 is the most famous, and it’s right on the river, on the outside loop, so it’s private. But there is a pile of great campsites. If you’re not a camper, rent the Tahquamenon Lodge, it’s the former park manager’s residence. Reserve a campsite.
- Hike the half-mile trail into Clark Lake. There are no motors, so it’s peaceful and beautiful. You can carry or wheel-cart a canoe out there. It doesn’t get much fishing pressure—fish for perch, pike, and bullheads. Look for the osprey nest on the lake.
- Hike the Giant Pines Trail. It’s a 4-mile hiking loop that starts and ends at the Upper Falls. The trail passes through mature hardwoods, some beautiful stands of hemlock, and two enormous white pine trees that the course is known for.
- Attend a nature program here. The interpretive staff does daily schedules in the summer and does a great job of changing the topics to keep them fresh and fun.
- Look for remnants of the sawmill town of Emerson on Emerson Island. From the Lake Superior shore, look for pilings from the shipping dock that was once there.
- Rent a kayak at the river mouth and paddle all around. The river is wide and slow in this stretch. Also, know this: unless you are experienced, don’t paddle out into Lake Superior. Conditions can change in an instant and become dangerous.
- Canoe the 17 river miles from the lower falls to Lake Superior. Woods Canoe Rental will help you spot a car.
The paradise and exotic hotel and suite properties of Tahquamenon Falls accommodate everything that any tourist-friendly hotel should accommodate. The comfort of home and services like five stars is the quality of hotels near Tahquamenon falls. The hotels are perfect, comfortable, ideally located, and clean, with every possible amenity supplied by the owners.
