Lower Falls Rowboat Trail

Four miles downstream from the thundering Upper Falls, the Tahquamenon River splits around a wooded island to create the Lower Falls, a collection of smaller cascades that visitors can access by renting a rowboat from the park concession and paddling to the island between them. The trail itself begins at the lower parking area and follows the east bank of the river through a classic Great Lakes floodplain forest of silver maple, black ash, and ostrich fern. The amber river moves slowly here, barely perceptible until it suddenly quickens around both sides of the island. Rowboat rentals allow hikers to land on the island and explore short footpaths between the two main cascade channels, standing at water level among the rushing brown water. The experience is intimate compared to the grandeur of the upper falls, with visitors able to touch the algae-green bedrock shelves over which the river slides. The surrounding forest shelters breeding warblers in May and June, including Connecticut, mourning, and Canada warblers that prefer the dense shrub layer near the floodplain edge. The loop returns via the west bank through cedar swamp on a slightly elevated boardwalk section that keeps feet dry during spring high water.