West Michigan Kayaking Club · Upper Peninsula River Guide
Tahquamenon River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
River History
Ojibwe legend holds that Hiawatha met his death in a plunge over the Upper Falls. The river's dark, tannin-stained water drains a vast swamp-and-forest heart of the eastern Upper Peninsula.
In 1883 the Tahquamenon Improvement Company cleared obstructions on the upper river so logs could run toward Lake Superior, and Dollarville grew into a lumber town that is now a ghost town. Later, river-boat excursions ran from Slater's Landing at the mouth of the East Branch.
Interactive River Map
River Overview
The Tahquamenon flows about 89–94 miles (sources vary) through Luce and Chippewa counties to Whitefish Bay.
Paddlers use three reaches: Dollarville Flooding and Newberry down toward the Upper Falls, the 17 miles from the Lower Falls to the mouth, and the bays around the mouth.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
The Paradise gage sits just 0.6 mile above the Upper Falls (drainage 790 sq mi). Whether the Newberry gage reports real-time data: Verify locally.
Paddling Character
- Wide, slow, tannin-dark water. Above the falls it feels more like a long lake than a river.
- M-123 bridge to McPhee's Landing: about 6 miles, about 3 hours, through forest and meadow.
- Lower Falls to the mouth: 17 miles, about 6 hours, with few places to land and rest.
- At the mouth: a 1-mile loop around Marsh Island, or the Lake Superior shore to Emerson Island.
Michigan Water Trails
Verify locally. The Tahquamenon Scenic Heritage Route publishes paddling itineraries at explorem123.com.
Dams & Portages
Never run the falls.
- Dollarville Dam (west of Newberry): holds the Dollarville Flooding. Access exists above and below the dam. Portage route: Verify locally.
- Upper Tahquamenon Falls: MANDATORY portage on a trail to the base of the falls. Exact take-out location and side: Verify locally.
- Lower Tahquamenon Falls (about 4 miles below): an island splits the river into two flumes. Portage. Rowboats rent to the island Memorial Day to mid-October as levels allow.
Never run a dam.
Launches
- Natalie State Forest ramp, Dollarville Flooding (off County Road 434, not maintained in winter): fishing pier
- Tahquamenon River dam ramp near Newberry: hard surface, paved parking, rustic toilet, boardwalk
- Tailwaters access below Dollarville Dam
- M-123 bridge just north of Newberry
- McPhee's Landing (DNR), County Road 462, about 5 miles east of Newberry
- Slater's Landing, mouth of the East Branch. Public access: Verify locally.
- Lower Falls day-use area: carry-in launch beside the picnic area
- Rivermouth: accessible paved ramp near Rivermouth Campground
Camping
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Lower Falls Modern Campground: Hemlock and Portage loops. Portage loop is near the river, about a quarter mile from the Lower Falls.
- Rivermouth Modern Campground and Rivermouth Pines
- Sanitation stations open mid-May to mid-October
- Recreation Passport required
Wildlife & Fishing
- Brook trout in the higher-gradient upper river.
- Walleye, northern pike and muskellunge in the middle river.
- Brown trout and Lake Superior salmon runs below the falls.
- Bald eagles, otters, beaver, kingfishers and moose.
Safety
- The falls are the main hazard.
- Remote, with few landings below the Lower Falls.
- Lake Superior wind at the mouth.
- Nearest hospital: Newberry. Name: Verify locally.
Best Time & Access
June to September. Park campground services run mid-May to mid-October.
Trip Planning
- Check the USGS gage
- Check the weather
- Leave a trip plan with someone
- PFD on
- Dry bag packed
- Shuttle set
- Cold-water gear ready
River Difficulty
- American Whitewater: Class IV–VUpper Falls to Lower Falls — Class IV–V
Rest of river not rated by American Whitewater.
Ratings rise at high water — check the USGS gage before paddling. American Whitewater
Quick Reference
- Length: ~89–94 mi
- Basin: Lake Superior (Whitefish Bay)
- Gage: USGS 04045500 near Paradise
- Mandatory portages: Upper and Lower Falls
- Best: June–September
Sources
Paddle It With the Club
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Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.