The Official Newberry Area Chamber of Commerce
Upper Tahquamenon Falls, Lower Tahquamenon Falls & Boat Rentals

Come and explore Upper Michigan's incredible Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It is definitely on the most breathtaking natural wonders in the United States.  Pristine & virgin forests surround the Upper Tahquamenon Falls and Lower Tahquamenon Falls in every direction. A walk path (paved) will escort you through the forest. As you step closer down the trail to the upper falls, you will begin to hear the water falling into the mighty Tahquamenon. 

"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. "

We Are "Your Tahquamenon Gateway"
The Upper Tahquamenon Falls is over 200' wide and 50' high. Visitors will love the spectacular scenes that are available along the nature trail down to the falls.  Many will venture down to the observation platform for an up close view of the Upper Falls.  Please note that there are 94 steps down to the main viewing deck at the end of the walk.

The Tahquamenon river was made famous in the Longfellow poem Hiawatha. The water's amber color 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. 
Great Family Experience
The Tahquamenon Falls State Park offers a variety of great activities and educational programs.  Pictured here, is the "Michigan's Gray Wolf" kiosk at the walk way entrance down to the Upper Tahquamenon.  Educational Programs run throughout the year and include:  Guided snowshoe hikes, lantern lit ski and stroll, dog sled rides, maple sugaring day, races, and hikes.  To participate and see their up-to-date listing, please »click here.

Birding the Upper Tahquamenon Falls
In summer, songs of the winter wren, black-throated blue warbler, black-throated green warbler, black-burnian 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 saw-whet owls, northern goshawk, yellow-bellied sapsucker, pileated woodpecker, brown creeper, red-breasted and white-breasted nuthatches, chimney swift, and the scarlet tanager, just to name a few.

Great Eats, Gifts and History
Also featured at the Upper Tahquamenon Falls is the privately owned establishments, The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery and Pub, owner Lark Ludlow along with the Camp 33 Gift Shop, owner Barrett Ludlow.  In the year of 1949, Jack and Mimi Barrett (grand parents of the current owners of both businesses) gifted the land adjacent to the Upper Tahquamenon Falls and surrounding forests to the State of Michigan.  Their foresight and philanthropy ensured the preservation of this natural wonder along with making it available for all to experience for generations to come.  Their grand children both built with keeping with their grandparents vision.  The focal point of all structures is the fire...a logging camp must! The warmth of the fire can now be enjoyed in all seasons.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park is Open Year-Round
The state park is open year-round and the Upper Tahquamenon Falls is especially beautiful in the winter.  This area offers a step back in time with a view of Michigan's pre-settlement forests. This American beech, sugar maple, eastern hemlock, and yellow birch old-growth forest encompass 1,500 acres.

As you get closer to the viewing decks, you can hear the growing sound of water flowing and falling.  It is truly an awe-inspiring experience for all ages. Please note that there are 94 steps down to the main viewing deck at the end of the walk. On the platform below there is a bench to sit and rest on while taking in the beauty of the falls.

Lower Tahquamenon Boating
There are boat rentals available at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls along with a seasonal concession stand.  This is a great fishing opportunities for family and friends.  Life preservers are also available for all boaters. 

Rental boats can be used to cross the Tahquamenon River, park and enjoy the Lower Tahquamenon Falls by viewing, wading and "Shooting the Falls" (riding the rush of water).

Lower Tahquamenon Falls
The Lower Tahquamenon Falls are "Nature's Water Park" with many small falls throughout the area.  It is located four miles downstream from the Upper Tahquamenon Falls.   Many small waterfalls cascade around an island.

The Lower Tahquamenon Falls four mile hike to the Upper Falls is a great experience that entails a winding path along the Tahquamenon River. This is a long trail, please bring adequate clothing, food and water with you along this hiking excursion. Because of the terrain, it does take a while to traverse. 
Lower Tahquamenon Falls Video
The Lower Tahquamenon Falls attracts people from all over the world. The Tahquamenon Falls State has over 40 miles of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. The Lower Falls is amazing with its small cascading waters that people love to come in play in. We invite you to come and experience the beauty of natural wonders of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Great place to cool off during a hot summer day.  We look forward to seeing you here.

Birding the Lower Tahquamenon Falls
The Lower Falls area offers a variety of birding opportunities. Along the "Mainland Trail", a 3/4 mile boardwalk through a narrow conifer lowland, river edge songbirds 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"


Quick Glance at Our Tahquamenon Facts:
  • Upper Tahquamenon is 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide
  • 1/4 mile walkway leads to the Upper Falls
  • 50,000+ gallons of water spill over the upper falls per second in the spring
  • 40 plus miles of hiking trails
  • pronounced tuh-qwa-meh-non (rhymes with phenomenon)
  • 2nd largest park in Michigan
  • 13 inland lakes
  • 24 miles of the Tahquamenon River
  • 20,000 acres of natural area
  • camping
  • hiking
  • fishing
  • canoeing
  • boating
  • great place for photography
  • great interpretive programs: geocaching, arrow away, river hunt, owl puke investigation, bear den hike, wild about wolves, along with many more
  • many picnic areas
  • the unique coloration of the water is due to the presence of tannic acid in the river - leeching naturally from trees and plants
  • birding
  • hunting
  • fall color viewing
  • snowmobiling
  • cross-country skiing
  • snowshoeing
  • 125 species of nesting birds
  • moose
  • bear
  • wolves
  • fishers
  • year-round events
  • open year-round
  • 94 steps down to the main viewing deck
Tahquamenon Falls Links and Information

The Upper Falls Fact Shack will be staffed daily from 12:00-5:00pm beginning in late May.  Daily interpretive programs will begin late June  For more information call the Tahquamenon Falls State Park office at 906-492-3415 or see the link above.

Entrance Fees to any state park:
Non-Michigan residents:  $8.40 daily pass, $30.50 annual pass

Michigan Residents can purchase a $11 Recreation Passport when renewing your vehicle registration with the Secretary of State.  The Recreation Passports will also be available at Park offices or at the Fact Shack at the Upper Falls during the summer.