Camping Near Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
If you’re chasing a genuine bucket-list waterfall without leaving the Midwest, Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is about as good as it gets — and it’s an easy pairing with one of our favorite UP campgrounds.
What Makes Tahquamenon Falls Worth the Drive
Tahquamenon Falls is the largest waterfall in Michigan and one of the biggest in the eastern United States, trailing only Niagara in sheer volume. The Upper Falls alone stretches roughly 200 feet across with a drop near 50 feet, and during peak spring runoff it can push upward of 50,000 gallons of water per second over the edge.
The river runs a distinctive amber-brown color — locals call it “Root Beer Falls” — caused by tannins draining out of the cedar swamps upstream, and the churn at the base whips the soft water into thick white foam. It’s genuinely one of the most photogenic natural landmarks in the Midwest.
Four miles downstream, the Lower Falls splits into a series of smaller cascades around an island, viewable from the riverbank, a footbridge, or a rented rowboat. Between the Upper and Lower Falls, the park protects over 46,000 acres and more than 25 miles of hiking trails, plus a seasonal shuttle that runs between the two viewing areas so you don’t have to drive between them.
Where to Stay: Kritters Campground
For a home base near the falls, we point people to Kritters Campground in Newberry — consistently called one of the best-run campgrounds in the entire eastern Upper Peninsula. Spacious sites, genuinely clean shower facilities, free WiFi, and a well-stocked camp store make it a comfortable landing spot after a day of waterfall-chasing, and it sits close enough to Tahquamenon Falls State Park to make it your obvious base camp.
Tips for Visiting
- Bring good hiking shoes. The trail down to the Upper Falls overlook involves close to 100 steps, and the riverside trails can get genuinely rugged in spots.
- Fish the river if you’re into it. The Tahquamenon River holds brown trout, walleye, muskie, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and more — accessible shore fishing is available near the park’s campgrounds.
- Watch for wildlife. Black bear, otter, fox, and even the occasional moose have all been spotted in the park, especially along the main park road between the falls.
- Check the Michigan Recreation Passport requirement before you go — vehicle entry to the state park requires it.
- Fall color is spectacular here if you can time a visit for peak autumn foliage in the Upper Peninsula.
Pack for It
This is still camping, so bring the comfort gear that makes a UP trip actually enjoyable — our Camping Comfort Checklist covers everything from sleep setup to the camp kitchen. And if you’re making the trip solo, our Comfort-First Guide to Solo Camping for Women has tips for picking a first solo destination — a well-run, staffed campground like Kritters is exactly the kind of spot we’d recommend for it.
Looking for more of the Upper Peninsula? Browse the rest of our Michigan listings in the directory.