Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Tahquamenon Falls State Park
iucn_category = V


caption =
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Michigan, USA
nearest_city = Paradise, Michigan
lat_degrees = 46
lat_minutes = 33
lat_seconds = 24
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 85
long_minutes = 9
long_seconds = 55
long_direction = W
area = 46,179 acres (186.9 km²)
established =
visitation_num = 500,000
visitation_year =
governing_body = Michigan Department of Natural ResourcesThe Tahquamenon Falls State Park is a 46,179-acre (186.9 km²) state park in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is the second largest of Michigan's state parks. Bordering on Lake Superior, most of the park is located within Chippewa County, with the western section of the park extending into Luce County. The nearest town of any size is Paradise.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park follows the Tahquamenon River as it passes over Tahquamenon Falls and drains into Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior. The Tahquamenon Falls include a single 50-foot (15-meter) drop, the "Upper Falls", plus the cascades and rapids collectively called the "Lower Falls". During the late-spring runoff, the river drains as much as 50,000 gallons (200,000 liters) of water per second, making the upper falls the second most voluminous vertical waterfall east of the Mississippi River, after only Niagara Falls.

The North Country Trail passes through the park.

The water in this region contains large amounts of dissolved minerals, accounting for the golden-brown color of the water as it cascades over the falls. In winter, the ice that accumulates around and in the falls is often colored in shades of green and blue.

Much of the park is undeveloped but it does have more than 22 miles (35 km) of hiking trails. Row boats and canoes are rented to use to approach the lower falls. The park receives as many as 500,000 visitors per year, many of whom drive in on the state park's only paved road, M-123. M-123 intersects with Interstate 75 at Michigan exit #352.

Nearby attractions include the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, and the Point Iroquois Light Station and Museum at Bay Mills, Michigan on Whitefish Bay.

External links

* [http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ParksandTrailsInfo.aspx?id=428 Tahquamenon Falls State Park] , official website
* [http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10365_10887-124495--,00.html Tahquamenon Falls State Park]
* [http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/wdpa/sitedetails.cfm?siteid=22565&level=nat World Database on Protected Areas - Tahquamenon Falls State Park]