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May 9, 2017
Contact: Craig Krepps, 906-492-3415 or John Pepin, 906-226-1352
DNR closes boardwalk temporarily for construction at Tahquamenon Falls State Park
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has closed temporarily a nearly half-mile-long boardwalk for construction at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls day use area in Chippewa County.
Closure of the boardwalk trail, between markers 13 and 14, is scheduled to remain in effect until June 15, while workers realign and level a .4-mile section of the walkway.
 “Park visitors can still experience beautiful views of the Lower Tahquamenon Falls during construction,” said Craig Krepps, park manager. “Visitors can see the falls from the paved walkway, or up close, by renting a rowboat to access the Lower Falls Island.”
A newly-renovated observation deck is opening this week, located across the from the gift shop. This deck and other viewing sites offer fantastic places to see the Lower Falls.
The Lower Falls gift shop and rowboat rental open May 12.
For those hiking the River Trail, between the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls, a reroute in place during the boardwalk closure will require walkers to hike for an additional 1.5 miles.
Tahquamenon Falls State Park, situated along M-123 in Luce and Chippewa counties, encompasses close to 50,000 acres stretching over 13 miles. Most of this is undeveloped woodland without roads, buildings or power lines.
The centerpiece of the park, and the very reason for its existence, is the Tahquamenon River with its waterfalls. The Upper Falls is one the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi. It has a drop of nearly 50 feet and is more than 200 feet across. A maximum flow of more than 50,000 gallons of water per second has been recorded cascading over these falls.
Four miles downstream is the Lower Falls, a series of five smaller falls cascading around an island. Although not as dramatic as the Upper Falls, they are equally magnificent. The falls can be viewed from the river bank or from the island, which can be reached by rowboat rented from a park concession. The island walk affords a view of the falls in the south channel.
For more information, visit the DNR’s webpage at: www.michigan.gov/tahquamenonfalls.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Suggested captions follow. Credit: Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Boardwalk: Closure signs and snow fencing mark the section of boardwalk closed temporarily for construction at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Deck: The newly-renovated observation deck at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls offers magnificent views of the river.
Map: A map shows the Lower Falls day use area, including the area to be closed temporarily for construction./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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