Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Paradise, Michigan
Terrain // Grass/Stone Plot | Cost // $32 a night | Campground Rating // 7 | State Park Rating // 9
Overview
We knew we wanted to see some fall foliage in the UP. When researching different destinations, the waterfalls here instantly captured my attention. Unfortunately, there weren’t a ton of boondocking spots in the area. We stayed in Rivermouth Campgrounds, which is on the east side of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The campground itself was beautiful, but we weren’t able to get Starlink to connect to any satellites because of the tree coverage above our spot. Luckily, there was a bit of service by the river where I was able to hotspot from my phone to work for a day.
Hiking
All Michigan State Parks require a Michigan Recreation Passport for vehicle entry. For nonresidents, it was $39 for an annual pass that expires at the end of the calendar year that it was purchased.
Tahquamenon Falls – Upper Falls
We did a short hike to the right and left of the Upper Falls Loop Trail. Most of the route is paved, but there are a lot of stairs along the route. It’s a great destination if you're short on time and looking for a hike with a gorgeous payoff!
Tahquamenon Falls – Lower Falls
The Lower Falls were pretty populated, but there were a lot of points along the trails to grab photos of the gorgeous scenery. This was also the first time I saw some handiwork up close from a beaver!
Excursions
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
We didn’t actually pay to go into the buildings, but walking around outside was just as cool! A short crossing takes you to the beach right on Lake Superior. The beach was gorgeous, with blue water, a ton of driftwood, and river rocks in hundreds of different colors.
Tip:
Be sure to check campground availability. We came at the very end of the season, so this campground was closing up the shower house the day we left.
