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Our Featured Upper Peninsula Attraction
Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Come and explore Upper Michigan's incredible Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It is definitely on the most breathtaking natural wonders in the United States. A pristine forest surrounds the falls in every direction. A walk path (paved) will escort you through the forest. As you step closer down the trail you will begin to hear the water falling into the mighty Tahquamenon.
The Tahquamenon river was made famous in the Longfellow poem Hiawatha. According to Indian lore, the origin of the name Tahquamenon is attributed to the water's amber color, which is the result of leaching of | |
tanic acid from the cedar and hemlock swamps that feed the river. The Tahquamenon is special in many ways. One little known fact is that it is the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi, with Niagara being the largest.
Tahquamenon Falls Photo by Gina Harman, Velvet Green Creations
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Tahquamenon Falls State Park Bird Watching Opportunities
Migrating birds using Whitefish Point to enter or return from Canada, pass through the park every spring and fall. More than 300 species, including the rarities, have been documented using this migration corridor.
"The Upper Tahquamenon Falls area offers a glimps of Michigan's pre-settlement forests. This American beech, sugar maple, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch old-growth forest encompass 1,500 acres. In summer, songs of the winter wren, black-throated blue warbler, black-throated green warbler, blackburnian warbler, least flycatcher, |
 | rose-breasted grosbeak, red-eyed vireo, wood thrush, and veery fill the dense forest. This forest is also home to barred and sawwhet owls, northern goshawk, yellow-bellied sapsucker, pileated woodpecker, brown creeper, red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches, chimney swift, scarlet tanager, and Swainson's truch: to name a few.
The Lower Falls area offers a variety of birding opportunities. Along the "Mainland Trail", a 3/4 mile boardwalk through a narrow conifer lowland, riveredgesongbirds mingle with hardwood dwellers. Summer residents include American redstart, northern waterthrush, mourning warbler, red-eyed vireo, and scarlet tanager. Bald eagles fish the rapids below the falls early in the morning. In the evenings, common nighthawks swoop up emerging insects in mid air. Other species common in and around the pool below the falls include the red-breasted and common mergansers, great blue heron, spotted sandpiper, belted kingfisher, osprey, and northern rough-winged swallow."
—Information provided by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, "Birding within the Tahquamenon Falls State Park"
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Immature Bald Eagle Photo by Gina Harman, Velvet Green Creations
The Upper Falls Fact Shack will be staffed daily beginning Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 12:00-5:00pm. Daily interpretive programs will begin on Friday, June 25, 2010. For schedules and information about interpretive programs click here or call 906-492-3415.
Entrance Fees to any state park:
Michigan residents: $6 daily pass, $24 annual pass
Non-Michigan residents: $8 daily pass, $29 annual pass
Beginning in October 2010, Michigan State Residents can purchase a $10 Recreation Passport when renewing your vehicle registration with the Secretary of State. The Recreation Passports will also be available at Park offices beginning Oct. 1, 2010. |
