Upper Tahquamenon Falls — 48ft Block in Michigan

Upper Tahquamenon Falls is a 48-foot block waterfall in Luce County, Michigan, reached by an easy walk over 0.4 miles.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi by water volume — 50,000 gallons per second over a 200-foot-wide, 48-foot-tall amber-colored cascade. The amber color comes from tannins from the cedar swamps upstream that stain the water. Tahquamenon Falls State Park runs both the Upper Falls and the smaller Lower Falls (4 miles downstream); the well-maintained trail system and the boat-shuttle to Lower Falls Island make it one of Michigan's most-visited state parks.

What to expect

Drive into Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Buy the Michigan Recreation Passport ($14 for nonresidents) or pay the day fee. Park at the Upper Falls lot. Walk the 0.4-mile paved trail to the brink overlook and down to the gorge view. Multiple viewing platforms. Stairs down to the lower river view (~100 stairs). The Lower Falls (4 miles east) is a separate trail with rowboat shuttle to the island in the river. Pair with the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, the Soo Locks, or the Pictured Rocks lakeshore.