Luce County: Waterfalls, Rivers and Forests

Water, forests, and logging history define many of the named natural and cultural sites in Luce County. At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, several accessible viewpoints overlook the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The Tahquamenon River offers a 17-mile paddling route between the Lower Falls and the area at the river mouth. The county also has Lake Superior shorelines, natural areas, and historic museum buildings.

Rivers, Lakes, and Forest Landscapes

The county has more than 300,000 acres of publicly accessible land and 15,000 acres of inland waters. Rivers and streams extend for a total of 658 miles; the named rivers include the Big Two Hearted River. Luce County also has 32 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. The Two Hearted River in northern Luce County has a 35-mile main stem that flows into Lake Superior. Inland waters, flowing waterways, and the Lake Superior shoreline offer different landscape highlights.

The Tahquamenon Natural Area is considered one of Michigan’s largest old-growth northern hardwood forests. Activities available there include hiking, birdwatching, canoeing, cross-country skiing, hunting, fishing, and environmental education. The McMahon Lake Preserve is in the watershed of the Two-Hearted River, which is designated a Natural River. It also has a notable literary connection: the preserve was immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s story “Big Two-Hearted River.”

The 217-acre Muskallonge Lake State Park borders both Lake Superior and Muskallonge Lake. The park preserves remnants of its past as a logging settlement and mill pond. The site thus combines a shoreline landscape with traces of earlier use. Visitors interested in river landscapes will find another specific point of interest in the Two Hearted River: its main stem flows into Lake Superior.

Trails, Waterfalls, and Seasonal Activities

The county’s recreational trails vary by activity and length: there are 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 20 miles of cross-country ski trails, and 77 miles of designated motorcycle trails. Each type of trail offers a different focus. For a winter sports trip, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are the main options; the motorcycle trails offer another designated activity.

The waterfalls can be combined with a specific paddling route: the Tahquamenon River route runs for 17 miles from the Lower Falls to the area at the river mouth. The viewpoints at Tahquamenon Falls State Park also look out over the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. This makes it possible to plan two different ways to experience the water: from the viewpoints and along the river route.

Water-related amenities are also a focus at the Mouth of Two Hearted River State Forest Campground. The campground offers access to the Two Hearted River for canoe camping, as well as an improved boat launch and an adjacent day-use area. These are separate options for visitors interested in river access or spending time by the water.

Logging History and Lighthouse

The Tahquamenon Logging Museum showcases original buildings and artifacts from the logging era. A boardwalk and nature trail run along the Tahquamenon River and through the forest. Visitors can enjoy a traditional “Lumberjack Breakfast” in the authentic cook shack. The Luce County Historical Museum brings history to life in a restored sheriff’s residence and jail: preserved features include original men’s and women’s jail cells, the sheriff’s office, the judge’s bench, and the witness stand.

Crisp Point Lighthouse was built in 1903 and began operating on May 5, 1904. The grounds are open year-round; the lighthouse and visitor center are closed in winter. Another seasonal condition is important for getting there: the last seven miles of Luce County Road 412 are a seasonal road and are not plowed in winter. The grounds’ opening, building hours, and road conditions are therefore separate aspects to consider when planning a visit.

Oswald’s Bear Ranch operates a 240-acre rescue sanctuary for North American black bears. Free school bus tours teach visitors about rescued bear cubs and black bear conservation. This adds a specific focus on animals and conservation to the landscape and museum themes.

Hotel and Trip Planning

When looking for a hotel in Luce County, you can start by choosing the focus of your stay. Waterfalls and paddling, forest activities and seasonal trails, or logging history and the lighthouse each offer a different emphasis. When planning, also check the seasonal conditions mentioned above, especially the winter closure of Crisp Point Lighthouse and the fact that the last seven miles of Luce County Road 412 are not plowed.

Discover more destinations: Newberry, Alcona County, Allegan County, Gratiot County, Charlevoix County, Mason County, Midland County, Gogebic County.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.