Tahquamenon Falls State Park Rivermouth Campgrounds

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This campground was located right next to the Tahquamenon River. The first night we drove up to the Whitefish Point lighthouse and saw the Northern Lights off of Lake Superior. There are two beautiful but separate waterfalls. The water is amber color like root beer due to the tannic acid of the hemlock trees. We tried to bike a local foot trail but had to turn around after it became too difficult to traverse. Our camphosts, John and Karin (from Texas) and camp neighbors Holly and Jodie (from Michigan) were delightful neighbors.

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Photos

Whitefish Point Lighthouse
The oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior, it was established in 1849. It is located at a critical turning point for vessels entering and leaving Lake Superior.

Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
The museum educates visitors on the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes. The Whitefish Point Light Station is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sunset on Lake Superior
A beautiful sunset as we settled in to wait for the Northern Lights. People were out on the beach with blacklights looking for Yooperlites. These are granite like rocks rich with flourescent sodalite that gloves vibrant orange and yellow under ultraviolet light. Our next trip to the UP we will bring a blacklight.

Northern Lights
We had heard the conditions were right for possible viewing of the Northern Lights over the Labor Day weekend. We headed up to Whitefish Point and arrived at the end of sunset. Sunset itself was beautiful. About 30 minutes after sunset we began to see white streaks across the sky. The phones captured the colors our eyes did not see.

Northern Lights
Still want to see the Northern Lights in Alaska or perhaps Iceland, but we can at least say we have seen them.

Lower Tahquamenon Falls
There was construction of a new gift shop and bathrooms underway when we visited. Will be a nice addition to the area.

Viewing platform
You can feel the mist from the falls as you stand on the viewing platform. The brown color comes from the tannic acid from decomposing cedar, hemlock, and spruce forests found in the drainage basin.

Tahquamenon River
View of the river above the lower falls. Seems like it would be fun to canoe or kayak.

Lower Falls
Loved the sound of the water rushing over the falls. So powerful and beautiful!

Rootbeer foam
Three natural factors give rise to the foamy appearance at the base of the falls:
Soft water + organic material + turbulence = Foam.

island
There is a small island in the river where the river splits. There is a bridge to the island. Several spots on the island trail get you right next to the water. Mike could not resist getting out on the rocks.

Ducked
We came back to the Jeep after viewing the Lower Falls and found we had been "ducked". If someone likes your Jeep, they leave a small rubber duck on the driver door handle. Meant to pass on positive vibes.

Upper Tahquamenon Falls
The falls drop about 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across. During peak flow, usually in April, over 50,000 gallons per second can flow over the falls.

Viewing platform at Upper Falls
You can get close to the top of the falls on a viewing platform. You have to take stairs down to the viewing area. Worth the trek.

Upper Falls
View from the trail leading to the falls.

Distant view
Still hear the rushing of the water from this vantage point.

Relaxing day
Loved the day hanging out at the campground and getting in some hiking, reading, and a campfire. Enjoyed sharing it several nights with Holly & Jodie and Karin & John. So fun to meet people along the journey!