Tahquamenon Falls Riverboat Tour and Toonerville Trolley

Old postcard of the Tahquamenon riverboat. It's a 21-mile trip to the falls

The Tahquamenon Falls Wilderness Excursion is a relaxing, all-day excursion (from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). It goes through real roadless wilderness by train, boat, and an optional nature hike to the Tahquamenon River's Upper Falls. Especially on the boat trip, passengers can see wildlife in its natural habitat—often deer, sometimes bears, eagles, sandhill cranes, many other birds, and on rare occasions a moose. A hawk owl has sometimes been seen at the depot during the day. Scanty food in Canada can bring hawk owls south.
Rail fans appreciate the 24" narrow-gauge track over the original logging route. It's the longest 24" gauge railroad in the U.S. Visitors can take just the wilderness train ride, in 1 3/4 hours. But we recommend the all-day train and river trip if you have the time. Days when the light sparkles on the water would be nicest of all, especially in fall color season, usually at the end of September. (Reserve ahead!)
First, the TRAIN part of the trip. A five-ton diesel engine, originally used in mines, pulls the train through a roadless area that is an interesting mix of northwoods habitats: spruce (both scrubby and majestic), tamarack, birch, and young maples. It's a bumpy, noisy ride, just like an old-time railroad, 35 minutes each way. Passengers are handed a tree guide with numbers corresponding to numbers marked on trees they pass. (This is also offered as a separate trip. See details.)

The RIVER TRIP (4 hours on the boat) passes mature second-growth forests and a few cottages. Wildlife and the 21 miles of the wide Tahquamenon River are the main attractions. The 250-passenger, double-deck riverboat is quiet, without disturbing vibrations. It's easy to hear Captain Kris Stewart, the knowledgeable narrator/pilot. He is a longtime local resident who's good at wildlife identification. He highlights local Ojibwa lore, the history of Tahquamenon logging, and, above all, nature and wildlife. There's food and bar service (by cash only). The grilled hamburgers are excellent. Restrooms are available.

The boat docks quite a ways upstream from the falls and pauses for 1 hour and 15 minutes. A 5/8-mile NATURE PATH goes to the UPPER FALLS through a beautiful old-growth mixed forest, with huge hemlocks and upland hardwoods (birches and maples), colorful in fall. This optional nature hike looks down at the river and goes up and down through the forest before visitors descend down stairways along a dramatic sheer cliff to the falls overlook platforms. This is actually the original Indian trail to reach the falls from the river. Longfellow's long poem Hiawatha ends with the grown-up Hiawatha, distraught at the loss of his love, traveling to the falls to end his life there.
This path is for the exclusive use of customers of the Riverboat Tour. Roots and other irregularities have been smoothed over for most of the pathway. However, tour-goers with problems in walking, breathing and heart function are advised to stay behind in the boat.

This view of the Upper Falls, from the south side, is less complete than that from the state park on the river's north side. However, the falls experience means more when the approach is not from a busy parking lot but from a trail, and the sound of rushing water becomes louder and louder. The lower platform here is closer to the falls, to its foam and churning water, than from other viewpoints. The water's roar is louder. On some days, the wind blows mist to the platform.

Leave 10:30 a.m., return 5 p.m. Adults $45, ages 9-15 $29, ages 4-8 $20. Family package by reservation only: $100 for 2 adults, 2 children. Extra children half off.
2010 schedule: mid June to July 1 and mid/late August into early/mid October: leaves 10:30 am. Mon, Wed, Sat. From early July into late August adds Tuesday. On Labor Day Weekend: extra tour Sun, no tour Mon.

Walk-ons welcome, reservations preferred. Come by 10 or so to be sure of a seat. Wear a jacket or windbreaker, and warm clothes in fall. Trip may be cancelled because of severe weather or too few people.

Wilderness train ride (1 ¾ hours): Trip departs at noon. Short stop with sandwiches, restroom at Tahquamenon. Second half of June: one trip Fri & Sat. July thru mid August: one trip Tues-Sat. Labor Day weekend: 1 trip Sat & Sun.

Ask about private charters and group discounts. Reservations advised for holiday weekends.

Train leaves Soo Junction (about 2 miles north of M-28 and 12 miles east of Newberry). Big signs on M-28 mark the turnoff. (888) 77-TRAIN (year-round) or (906) 876-2311. trainandboattours.com Handicap access: not for wheelchairs. Help is available to climb in and out of train cars and boat. Boat trip need not involve steps. Optional walk to falls is not accessible.

Return to Soo Junction

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