Wilderness trails north of M-123

North of M-123 trails up to 13 miles long let hikers get away from the crowds into the backcountry. Trails pass through many habitats, including conifer forests, sandy ridges, and boggy lakes typical of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. A series of three wilderness lakes with northern pike and perch can be reached by an access road to Clark Lake and a half-mile portage to Betsy Lake. These trails are not handicap-accessible and can by difficult in places. Bring a compass or GPS, and of course the usual water, hat, snack, sunscreen. Expect to climb over windfalls. Come prepared for intense mosquitoes and black flies from May through July. Bug repellent, long pants, and a head net are highly recommended on all these trails.

The well-marked 6-mile CLARK LAKE LOOP takes hikers by peat lands and ancient dune swales common in the Eastern U.P., and along the shore of picturesque Clark Lake. This trail can be wet during spring but usually dries out by June. Again, from May through July insects are out.

The 7.5 mile WILDERNESS LOOP begins at the parking lot for the Stables Picnic Area on M-123, less than 1 mile east of the Upper Falls. Habitat resembles the Clark Lake Loop's. The Wilderness Loop can also be wet in spring. This is a good hike for those looking for longer distances or for connecting with the Clark Lake or Giant Pines loops.
The NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL enters the park from the northwest and passes through peat bogs and cranberry marshes too wet to support tree growth, alternating with ancient beach ridges. In areas it will be seasonally wet. The trail is a footpath, signed annually with the NCTs blue dots and maintained by volunteers from the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter, headquartered in Rudyard. See http//Xnorthcountrytrail.org/trail/states/michigan for overview map and excellent trail notes. NCT $7 trail maps are a good idea; the north section is lightly traveled and topography is tricky. Waterproof footgear and an insect jacket are recommended. (Park employees say the $35 bug jacket works fine.)

Within the park, the trail goes alongside the Tahquamenon River between the two falls (the most popular part—see "Upper Falls" for details about Tahqua Trekker shuttle). Then it goes on east to the Rivermouth Campground, and beyond the park to the shores of Whitefish Bay.

Return to Tahquamenon Falls State Park

TAHQUAMENON FALLS STATE PARK
POINTS OF INTEREST

North Star Bakery. A surprising treat in this remote area off the electrical grid: a bakery with a wood-fired brick oven turning out crusty loaves of European-style sourdough breads - 17 kinds, several cheese combinations, multigrains, French, raisin-walnut ... more

Upper Tahquamenon Falls. A dramatic observation platform lets you stand at the falls' brink and look down at the 50-foot rush of falling water, 200 feet wide. Look out a bit and you can gaze on the tranquil river before its plummet. Come early to avoid crowds ... more

Lower Tahquamenon Falls. Four miles below the more dramatic Upper Falls, the smaller Lower Falls, with its series of cascades, can be enjoyed from an island if you rent a rowboat. It's a more contemplative experience ... more

Wilderness trails north of M-123. 17 miles of trail get hikers away from crowds and into wildlife-rich wilderness habitat: lakes, conifer forests, sandy ridges, and bogs. The North Country Trail connects from the Two-Hearted River to the Falls. ... more

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