Hi there!

 

The Lower Falls campground is the best campground at Tahquamenon Falls State Park if you want to be closer to the waterfalls and the main area of the park.

The other Tahquamenon Falls campgound is the Rivermouth campground, and that is a 20 minute drive away, but it is near Lake Superior! (map)

 

So you’re planning a camping trip in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan!

What’s a perfect stop to add to your UP trip?!

A waterfall stop! The Tahquamenon Falls are among the most popular (if not THE most popular) waterfalls in Michigan, located in the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula.

There are many spots to see waterfalls on the Tahquamenon River, and there is a campground that’s located relatively close to one of the popular waterfall viewing areas, and a bit further down the road from another.

 

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. eastern upper peninsula camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. eastern upper peninsula camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. eastern upper peninsula camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. eastern upper peninsula camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. eastern upper peninsula camping. up michigan travel blog

 

More for your trip to the UP beyond a Tahquamenon Falls campground

If you’re interested in camping in Tahquamenon Falls State Park, then you may also be interested in these things around the UP:

 

Now…

First, some quick things to know about the Lower Falls camping area that’s located in Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Then, a bit on how to make camping reservations.

 

 

Things to know about camping at Lower Falls Campground in Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. up michigan travel blog

 

 

1. The start of the trail to the Lower Falls overlook is a few minutes drive from Lower Falls campground.

Lower Falls overlook trail near Lower Falls campground. camping near tahquamenon falls. up michigan travel blog

 

You’ll then take a trail to get to the Lower Falls viewing spot. You want to give yourself at least 45 minutes for this trip.

 

 

2. Along the way on the trail to the overlook is where you can take a boat to see waterfalls up close and personal!

boat to waterfalls near Lower Falls campground. camping near tahquamenon falls. up michigan travel blog

 

It’s possible to take a boat to cross the Tahquamenon River to get to an island in the middle of the river to get close to some small waterfalls.

According to a state park employee, it’s the only area where you can see “all 5 lower falls up close.”

You can rent a rowboat to row the boat yourself, or you can take the boat “shuttle” across the river.

It’ll take around around 5 minutes to row to the river island, and then there’s a loop trail of around half a mile that goes around the island.

It’s popular to wade in the water here.

So you might want to give yourself 1-2 hours for this trip depending on how much time you want to spend on the island, in the river, and at the waterfalls!

I heard someone who had just gotten back from the boat trip and they called it the best part of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. 

You can expect to pay around $7 per person to rent a rowboat to row yourself, or around $10 per person for the boat shuttle.

 

boat to waterfalls near Lower Falls campground. camping near tahquamenon falls. up michigan travel blog

waterfalls near Lower Falls campground. camping near tahquamenon falls. up michigan travel blog

waterfalls near Lower Falls campground. camping near tahquamenon falls. up michigan travel blog

 

 

3. The campground is for tent camping and RV camping

…and other types of camping!

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. tent camping, rv camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. tent camping, rv camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. tent camping, rv camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. tent camping, rv camping. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, rv camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, rv camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, rv camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, rv camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park, tent camping. upper peninsula. up michigan travel blog

 

 

4. The Lower Falls campgrounds are “modern” campgrounds in Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

There are multiple campgrounds in Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

There are the “modern” campgrounds in the Lower Falls area (Hemlock Campground and Portage Campground).

According to Michigan State Parks:

The Hemlock Campground is located about 1 mile from the Lower Falls.

The Portage Campground is near the river and located 1/4 mile from the Lower Falls.

 

Lower Falls campground map, Tahquamenon Falls State Park. up michigan travel blog
👆 Map of Lower Falls area of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Portage Campground is in the upper left corner. Hemlock Campground is in the lower right corner.

 

Lower Falls campground map, Tahquamenon Falls State Park. up michigan travel blog
👆 There’s a trail that connects from the Portage Campground to get to the Lower Falls parking area.

 

And separately, there is another campground in Tahquamenon Falls State Park with modern, semi-modern, and rustic campsites that is located towards Lake Superior (Rivermouth Campground). It’s possible to get a riverfront campsite at the Rivermouth Campground, camping right on the Tahquamenon River.

 

Map of Tahquamenon Falls State Park campgrounds. lower falls campground or rivermouth campground. up michigan travel blog
Explore the map. The “inland” spot to the left on the map is the Lower Falls campground, and the lakeside spot to the right is the Rivermouth campground. It’s about a 20 minute drive from the Rivermouth campground to the start of the Tahquamenon Falls waterfall trails.

 

 

5. You can get electricity at your Lower Falls campsite.

Lower Falls campground: electricity, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: electricity, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: electricity, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

6. There are regular bathrooms along with hot water showers at the Lower Falls campgrounds.

Lower Falls campground: bathroom, toilet, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: bathroom, toilet, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: hot showers, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: hot showers, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: hot showers, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

Closer to your campsite, you may find basic no-flush toilets.

 

Lower Falls campground: bathroom, toilet, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

7. There are faucets throughout the campground for drinking water.

Lower Falls campground: drinking water, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

8. There’s firewood available for purchase on-site.

Because of invasive species that could come with wood brought from elsewhere, it’s always best to buy your firewood locally.

The cost of a bundle of firewood at Tahquamenon Falls State Park is around $5.

 

Lower Falls campground: firewood, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: firewood, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: firewood, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

9. There’s a garbage dumpster for campers.

Lower Falls campground: trash, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

10. There’s an RV dump station.

Lower Falls campground: rv dump station, sanitation station, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground: rv dump station, sanitation station, camping in tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

11. Down the road from the Lower Falls entrance of the state park, there’s a convenience store and gas station.

You can buy ice here, and it’s also the closest gas station near Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It’s a 1-2 minute drive. On google maps, it’s called Genes Tahquamenon. When you’re there, look for the 76 sign. When you are leaving the campground, you will turn right onto the main road. (map

 

Tahqaumenon general store near Lower Falls campground. campground store, gas station near tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Tahqaumenon general store near Lower Falls campground. ice, campground store near tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

Tahqaumenon general store near Lower Falls campground. campground store hours, near tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

 

12. It’s a 10 drive to the start of the trail to Upper Falls from the Lower Falls campground.

Upper Falls overlook trail near Lower Falls campground. camping near tahquamenon falls. up michigan travel blog

 

Once you get to the Upper Falls parking area, there’s a short trail to the Upper Falls overlook. You’ll want to give yourself at least 45 minutes for this trip.

You can also hike to Upper Falls from Lower Falls, and that would be around an 8-mile round trip hike. In normal times, there’s a shuttle for you to hike one way, but this was not operating in 2020 due to public health safety reasons. For 2021, you can check in with Michigan State Parks to see if the hiker shuttle is operational once your travel date gets closer.

 

 

12. Summer days are long.

Paradise MI is the city where the Porcupine Mountains State Park is located. In June and July, there are days when sunrise is before 5:30am and sunset isn’t until around 8pm in Paradise MI.

That means time for lots of outdoor activities!

 

 

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Now…

How to make camping reservations at Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping reservations. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping reservations. up michigan travel blog

 

This is the official website for making a Michigan State Parks camping reservation.

You can choose Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and then go from there to choose one of the Lower Falls campgrounds or Rivermouth campgrounds.

You’ll be able to find an updated campground map too.

You can also see the individual campsites that are available. If you click on an individual campsite, it will also give you any noteworthy description of the site, including whether it’s a riverfront campsite on the Tahquamenon River for example.

 

Lower Falls, Hemlock Campground map

Lower Falls campground map, hemlock campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping reservations. up michigan travel blog

 

Lower Falls, Portage Campground map

Lower Falls campground map, portage campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping reservations. up michigan travel blog

 

Rivermouth Campground map (modern campsites)

Lower Falls campground or rivermouth campground, rivermouth modern campsites, riverfront tahquamenon river. tahquamenon falls state park camping reservations. up michigan travel blog

 

Rivermouth Pines Campground map

Lower Falls campground or rivermouth campground, rivermouth rustic campsites, riverfront tahquamenon river. tahquamenon falls state park camping reservations. up michigan travel blog

 

 

Cost of camping at Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Lower Falls campground. cost of camping at tahquamenon falls state park. up michigan travel blog

 

In 2020, the cost of camping in Tahquamenon Falls State Park at a Lower Falls campground was around $32 per night. There is an additional reservation fee.

See updated camping fees:

Also, as a Michigan State Park, a Michigan recreation passport is required for entry.

If you’re a Michigan resident, hopefully you already have the annual recreation passport, in which case there’s no additional fee.

If you don’t have the recreation passport, or you’re from out of state, for Michigan residents the annual pass is around $17 when purchased at a state park and for out-of-state residents it’s around $34. See current fees here.

 

 

Checking in to your campsite

Then, once you arrive at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, you’ll stop by the little office to check in and get your camping permit!

 

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

 

Then off you go to find your campsite!

 

Lower Falls campground. campsite tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. campsite tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. campsite tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. campsite tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. campsite tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

Lower Falls campground. campsite tahquamenon falls state park camping permit, reservations, checking in. up michigan travel blog

 

 

And that’s a bit about Tahquamenon Falls camping at a Lower Falls campground!

See things to do as a day trip from the Lower Falls campground:

The rest of the UP:

More waterfalls in Michigan:

More campgrounds near Tahquamenon Falls you may consider:

And see more Michigan camping spots on the list of best Michigan state park campgrounds in the UP.

 

HAPPY CAMPING IN TAHQUAMENON FALLS STATE PARK AT LOWER FALLS CAMPGROUND!

 

 

Lower Falls campground. tahquamenon falls state park camping. eastern upper peninsula camping. up michigan travel blog

 

 

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