Tahquamenon Falls State Park — Attraction in Whitefish Township

The place was absolutely gorgeous with the fall colors, and the falls themselves were quite something. So the rest of this has no bearing on that.

First off the lame brain Michigan DNR charges a non-resident tourist using a Michigan plated rent car almost twice what the daily fee should be for a non-resident simply because the rent car has a Michigan plate.

Second, the even more lame brain Tahquamenon Falls State Park administration closes the trail halfway to the brink of the Upper Falls overlook all the way to that brink overlook for construction. This was halfway through the day on Columbus Day during peak fall colors. There was a lot of people already on that section of trail, but still they wouldn't allow anyone else. Talk about stupidity and mismanagement!

I mean good grief, what's the priority, a normal working hour schedule for employees or providing a visitation experience for paying visitors? I guess I got my answer. For heaven's sake, wait to close until after peak colors or at least if you're going to close, have someone stay late to put up the closure or get there early, not in the middle of the day when half the visitors got to go and the others are screwed.

Typical incompetent government bureaucracy. But then I guess it is Michigan with that...

Absolutely gorgeous. For all the hikers, and backpackers! Start at the lower falls early day (at open) take in the lower falls and it's beauty then take the 4.4 mile hike. It's trail rated "hard" and I'll admit, for someone who doesn't have much hiking experience just starting out and Ill admit am a little out of shape this was a tough one at times. But if you take your time you can make it. Once you finish this 5 mile hike (trust me it's more like 5 miles once you get off) you can either choose to go down one of viewing areas, don't. Just go to the bathroom refill on water and eat your lunch. Give your legs a break. When you rested up a Lil then check the viewing areas and enjoy the upper falls, then do the trail in reverse to get back to your car. When you finish, spend the rest of the day on the island in the lower falls. It's a great place to swim and relax.

It's got alot of steep inclines and declines you feel like you trekked a mile and you did .5 haha but it was absolutely awesome! All of it! I'd do it again in a heartbeat and I'll be back to...

The park is very beautiful and clean. The visitor centers are quite well put together, and there is plenty of parking to boot.

The issue ("issue") with the park is that the Upper Falls is sort of an underwhelming, for lack of a better term, experience. If you're going to this State Park, you're going for the falls. The Upper Falls are incredibly accessible: very well paved sidewalks, not a horribly long walk, well shaded. For me, it very much had the feel of walking around a theme park. This is fine, great even if you have little kids or elderly family members and you want a family outing. If you're looking for something a little more outdoorsy, the Upper Falls is a short stop.

The Lower Falls, however, is a much better experience. You can actually get into the water and walk around the shallow river. It's accessible for most ages; I saw kids as young as maybe 7 or 8 playing in the water.

Overall, very beautiful and well put together. Probably can't put a whole week trip together for just this park, but it's definitely worth the visit...