We are very fortunate in the state of Michigan to have many state parks to visit. In total, we have 74 state parks, located throughout the entire state. -- north, south, east or west.

What State Parks Do People Like the Most?

We all have our favorites. Usually the state park we like the most is fairly close to home -- so we can visit it often.

Many of the state parks at the top of various lists are located along the shores of a Great Lake. Here in West Michigan, some of the favorites include:

Grand Haven State Park

Grand Haven State Park
Photo: Google Maps
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P.J. Hoffmaster State Park

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park
Photo: Google Maps
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Muskegon State Park

Muskegon State Park
Photo: Google Maps
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Saugatuck Dunes State Park

Saugatuck Dunes State Park
Photo: Google Maps
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Ludington State Park

Ludington State Park
Photo: Ludington State Park via Facebook
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The Best State Park in Michigan

The travel website The Discoverer recently put together their list of "The Best State Park in Each State". So what state park did they select as the best in the state of Michigan?

Tahquamenon Falls State Park

Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Photo: Tahquamenon Falls State Park via Facebook
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In their description of the "best" state park in Michigan they said...

Sure, Michigan is the Great Lakes State, but if you’re looking for what Michiganians describe as “paradise” you’ll need to head to the Upper Peninsula and explore Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Home to one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, Tahquamenon Falls is 200 feet wide, has an average waterflow of 50,000 gallons per second, and sits within 52,000 acres of undeveloped woodland.

(Is it Michiganians or Michiganders?)

I have visited Tahquamenon Falls State Park during every season and I am never disappointed. At times, depending on how much rain fall we have had, the falls vary in size. On one visit you will see roaring falls and at other times it seems like the river is only running at about half the regular flow -- still very impressive no matter how much water is running down the Tahquamenon River.

There are actually two sets of falls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park -- The Upper and the Lower Falls. The most picturesque are the Lower Falls. These are the falls most often seen in pictures of the state park.

Lower Tahquamenon Falls
Photo: Scott Winters/Townsquare Media
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Lower Tahquamenon Falls
Photo: Scott Winters/Townsquare Media
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Here are the Upper Falls...

Upper Tahquamenon Falls
Photo: Scott Winters/Townsquare Media
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What Tahquamenon Falls State Park has to Offer

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery
Photo: Scott Winters/Townsquare Media
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There is more to the state park than just trails to the falls. Tahquamenon State Park also has a brewery, appropriately named the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery. The Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub offers a fine selection of micro brewed beers and delicious food choices. The Brewery and Pub is located at 24019 Upper Falls Drive in Paradise, Michigan.

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery
Photo: Scott Winters/Townsquare Media
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Which Michigan State Park is Your Favorite?

U.S. News and World Report put together a list of The 20 Best Michigan State Parks. Take part in the poll below and tell us which is your favorite...

 

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