Why Spring Is the Perfect Time to See Waterfalls
What makes waterfalls so spectacular in the spring? The answer lies in winter’s heavy snowfall. Each year, over 160 inches of glistening snow blankets Tahquamenon Country. As it melts, rivers swell and waterfalls roar to life with relentless power.
Watch as gushing torrents tumble down rocks and cliffs, their thunderous echoes heard long before they come into view. Also, the smaller waterfalls that often vanish in the dry summer months — murmur in the awakening forests. March through April is the ultimate time to pursue the rush.
Here’s where to witness nature’s breathtaking display of water in motion.
Witness the Splendor and Power of Tahquamenon Falls
In Tahquamenon Country, near Newberry or Paradise, you are minutes from Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Each spring the “root beer” colored Tahquamenon River races over shiny rocks and churns frothy white in dark pools below. You can feel the cold spray of both iconic falls:
- Upper Tahquamenon Falls: This fall is Michigan’s largest waterfall and the second largest in the U.S.A. east of the Mississippi River. It spans a majestic 200 feet across and has an impressive 50-foot drop. Each second you’re on the viewing platform, 50,000 gallons of water fall — the thundering noise is almost deafening. The scenery is spellbinding; keep your camera ready.
- Lower Tahquamenon Falls: Some think these five smaller cascades around an island in the Tahquemenon River are not worth seeing. Ignore them. You don’t want to miss walking across the pedestrian bridge or renting a rowboat, when available, to reach the waterfall-lined shore. Few places in the U.P. give such an intimate encounter with the falls, where you hear every babbling gurgle, the sweet love songs of returning birds and the warm wind rustling in the tree branches.
Local Tip: You will need a Michigan Recreational Passport or a day pass to enter the park.
Discover More Breathtaking Waterfalls — a Day Trip Away
The Upper Peninsula is home to more than 300 waterfalls and these 10 are within a day trip from Newberry. Stay over for a day or more to see several of them in springtime glory.
- Sable Falls: Hike a half-mile from the parking lot to a stairway that will take you to the base of the falls in a gorgeous dune setting. You can reach it within 56 minutes of Newberry.
- Chipmunk Falls: 5-foot drop; very soothing setting; It’s 57 minutes from Newberry.
- Miners Falls: This is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore’s most powerful waterfall. The fast-flowing Miners River drops 50 feet over a sandstone outcrop. Walk a half-mile from the parking lot to see it. It is one hour and 10 minutes from Newberry.
- Elliot Falls: Hike from the parking lot to Miners Beach. A small, but very scenic waterfall that flows over sculpted rocks. It’s one hour and 12 minutes from Newberry.
- Mosquito Falls: Park in the Chapel Falls lot and follow the signs for Mosquito Beach. It takes an hour and 13 minutes from Newberry.
- Bridalveil Falls: This waterfall is best viewed in the spring from the water; it’s only a trickle in the summer months. You can reach it in an hour and 14 minutes from Newberry.
- Chapel Falls: Well worth the hour-long hike from the parking lot; watch for wildlife along the way; best views are from the overlook. One hour and 15 minutes from Newberry.
- Spray Falls: This is the most remote waterfall along the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It drops 70 feet and you can see it from a well-marked overlook a quarter-mile from the falls. It’s an hour and 23 minutes from Newberry.
- Whitefish Falls: This waterfall is well worth the one hour and 36 minute drive from Newberry. Follow a 0.5-mile out-and-back trail near Trenary; it’s great for walking and it’s unlikely you will share the trail with anyone. While in Trenary, stop at the C-store to pick up a few bags of Trenary Toast or cinnamon bread.
Worth the Drive: Waterfalls 2+ Hours Away
- Fumee Falls: This nearly three-hour drive from Newberry is one of the most picturesque, with many attractions to see along Lake Michigan on US-2. Plan to add on several hours to explore Manistique, Kitch-iti-kipi, Rapid River, Gladstone, Escanaba and Iron Mountain. This roadside waterfall is easy to access.
- Piers Gorge: As you walk along the trail overlooking the gorge, you will stop often to take pictures. It gets its name from the drops over rock ledges that look like “piers.” If you are up for an incredible rafting/kayaking experience ride the rapids — spring is the best season for that as well. In Norway, it’s nearly three hours from Newberry.
- Bond Falls: When it comes to waterfalls, Bond Falls and Tahquamenon Falls are phenomenal bookends in the U.P. Bond Falls is formed as the Ontonagon River gushes over a wide belt of fractured rock, dropping 50 feet total. You will immediately see why this is one of the most photographed falls. It is, however, the farthest from Newberry — over three-and-a-half to four hours away. If you are driving from the west to Tahquamenon Country, consider stopping here on your way.
What to Know Before Going Spring Waterfalling
- Wear waterproof gear: The mist and spray when standing near the waterfalls can soak your clothes. Because it is spring, pack clothing for a wide range of temperatures. Include a light fleece or jacket, long-sleeve shirts and short-sleeve t-shirts, long pants, thermal underwear, a winter jacket, gloves and a hat.
- Prepare for muddy trails: This is our spring shower season. Sturdy, waterproof boots are a must. Add warm socks, too. For surer footing, bring along a walking stick or poles.
- Bring a still and/or video camera: You will want to capture and share the raw power and beauty of each waterfall.
- Carry a mobile phone, snacks and drinking water.
- Check road conditions and the weather: Even if you are only an hour away from Newberry, the weather and temperatures along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan can be drastically different from one waterfall to the next. This time of year has pop-up snow storms, too.
Use Tahquamenon Country as Your Waterfall Hub
Tahquamenon Country serves as an ideal base camp for nature enthusiasts. You are near breathtaking waterfalls, extensive ATV trails and forests teeming with wildflowers. Springtime brings the added delight of observing newborn wildlife and the return of migratory birds.
For comfortable accommodations, stay in Newberry, where several hotels welcome pets and offer a range of amenities to suit your needs. Spring rates are particularly appealing, making it an excellent time not only for waterfalling but to get the best value at lodgings. Dining options abound, with local restaurants providing a true taste of the Upper Peninsula. We eagerly await your visit when the snow melts.
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