Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, Michigan
The Tahquamenon (Rhymes with Phenomenon) Falls are awe-inspiring, located on the Tahquamenon River in Tahquamenon State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Tahquamenon Falls are nicknamed the Root Beer Falls due to the tannins naturally found in the river, thanks to the cedar, cypress, and hemlock trees in the surrounding swamps upstream from the falls.
We arrived at the park right before sunset, which was beneficial in that the crowds were sparse, but detrimental in that all the facilities, including the restaurant and gift shop, were closed.
The falls were beautiful with sunset casting an array of colors over the Tahquamenon River valley. The golden hour coloration was reminiscent of the Elven town of Rivendell in the Lord of the Rings movies.
Like most places in Michigan, bring bug spray to protect against mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are relentless in the summertime. We could have spent more time at the falls, and I encourage any traveler to devote at least 3-4 hours to the state park. The park offers camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and, seasonally, hunting and cross-country skiing.
My final thoughts: if you are looking for the majesty of Niagara Falls without the built-up tourism, Tahquamenon Falls is a highly recommended visit.
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