Tahquamenon Falls Upper

The Tahquamenon (pronounced: Tuh-KWAHM-in-uhn) Falls State Park area of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (i.e. the yoop) consists of the upper and lower falls, and both are located just outside of the small town of Paradise at the extreme eastern border of the yoop just a few minutes south of Lake Superior. This is the area where my mother grew up so it has special meaning to me; I feel rooted and peaceful when I see and hear the sound of rushing water in the Tahquamenon River.

This park is the second largest in the state trailing behind the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, which is located along the extreme western border of the yoop. It is open year-round.

My image showcased on this page is the upper falls and it was photographed in October of 2022.

At a width of 200 feet, the upper falls is nearly 50 feet in height — that’s the same as a five-story building! During the peak runoff season in the spring, the amount of water pouring over the edge — 50,000 gallons per second — is second only to Niagara Falls amongst falls east of the Mississippi. During the rest of the year, as pictured, the flow is about 7,000 gallons per second.

If you want to be cool, the locals call it “Root Beer Falls” because of the brown color of the water. The color comes from tannins that leach from the cedar swamp at the start of the Tahquamenon River.

To reach the viewing deck I was standing on to capture this image and related cell phone videos, I used a 94-step staircase. Weather permitting, additional steps are available to walk down to the river level where a rugged hiking trail connects the upper falls with the lower falls. Visitors who choose not to navigate steps have plenty of high-angle viewing opportunities along a handicapped accessible trail that is connected to the parking lot.

Viewing tip for greater detail: Click any of the images on this page for a larger view.

To purchase, contact me or email: DebbieWolfe@DebbieWolfeNatureArtPhotography.com