Paradise: Waterfalls, Forest and Bird Migration

Paradise is easy to locate by its cardinal directions: Lake Superior lies to the north and east of the town, Tahquamenon Falls State Park to the west, and the Hiawatha National Forest to the south. This places the lake, forest and waterfalls alongside one another as distinct regional points of reference. If you’re looking for a hotel in Paradise, you can plan your stay around a particular theme and decide whether nature watching, trails, waterfalls or history matter most to you.

Nature Watching and Trails

Along M-123 between Paradise and the Lower Falls, moose can occasionally be seen feeding in wetlands. A sighting is not guaranteed; the possibility applies to this specific stretch of road. This offers nature enthusiasts a different focus from the named trails in the area.

The Paradise Pathway is also near Paradise. The trail is 8.2 miles long and consists of three wooded loops. As a single trail with a specified length and its own layout, it differs from the trail network at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, which includes more than 35 miles of hiking trails.

Waterfalls and River Landscape

Tahquamenon Falls State Park lies west of Paradise. In addition to hiking trails, there are several overlooks of the Upper Falls and Lower Falls. Visitors can explore both waterfalls from the riverbank and the Ronald A. Olson Island Bridge, or rent a rowboat. The waterfalls can therefore be viewed from several different vantage points: overlooks, riverbank, bridge and rowboat.

Another distinctive feature of the park is the river’s amber hue. It comes from tannins in the surrounding swamps. This explanation links the visible color to the wetlands around it and adds a distinct nature theme to the waterfalls and trails.

Whitefish Point: Lighthouse, Museum and Bird Migration

Near Paradise, Whitefish Point brings together nature and history. The Whitefish Point Light Tower has been in continuous operation since 1861 and is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. Whitefish Point Light Station is a historic site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

At Whitefish Point Light Station, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum teaches visitors about the dangers of shipping on the Great Lakes. The lighthouse and museum offer different perspectives: one focuses on the tower’s long history of operation, the other on explaining maritime hazards.

In autumn, bird migration brings birds and birdwatchers to Whitefish Point Bird Observatory. This is a seasonal nature theme, while the Whitefish Point Light Tower is defined historically by its operation since 1861. If you time your trip around a particular theme, these offer a recurring autumn event and the lighthouse’s long history of operation.

Explore more destinations: Dafter, Brimley, Sault Ste. Marie

View the main travel guide: Chippewa County.