Back HomeDiscover Whitefish Township
Hailed as the Blueberry and Cranberry Capitals of Michigan and the gateway to Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Township is a historical community famous for its awe-inspiring natural beauty. The township is surrounded by lush forests and sits right on the western shore of Whitefish Bay, making it a popular destination among adventure lovers, hunters, campers and birdwatchers.
The township serves as home to important natural reserves for various flora and fauna. In fact, the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum and the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, which are found on the northeastern portion of the township, are classified as prime birding areas. Here, the local government works hand in hand with the Michigan Audubon Society to do substantial research and develop educational programs that help enhance the protection of the rich and diverse wildlife found in the area.
Geographical Characteristics
The township is located east of the border between Chippewa and Luce counties, with the Tahquamenon River coursing through it. Its total land area spans 293.6 square miles, 52.1 of which being bodies of water.
Whitefish Township Must-Sees:
- Whitefish Point Light – The oldest lighthouse that’s still operational on Lake Superior, it has helped guide ships to safety since 1849. The lighthouse is located on the lake’s southern shore, which is considered to be one of the most high-risk areas in the Great Lakes due to the high number of shipwrecks that have occurred here.
- Tahquamenon Falls State Park – This expansive state park spanning 46,179 acres is considered to be the second largest state park in all of Michigan. One of the park’s major attractions is the Tahquamenon Falls, which is also popularly called “Rootbeer Falls” due to its distinctive brown hue, resulting from the tannins that come from the cedar swamps that flow through the river.
- Whitefish Point Bird Observatory – This popular birdwatching site serves as a natural migration corridor for thousands of birds of different species as they traverse the Great Lakes Region on their way to Canada. Just some of the species of birds that you can see here are northern saw-whet owls, stilt sandpipers, loons, scaups, Canadian geese, and piping plovers.