"In his "Song of Hiawatha," Henry Wadsworth Longfellow described the Tahquamenon Falls area as undisturbed forests, tranquil rivers and abundant wildlife. This is still true today. As a state park, it is managed as a wilderness area, dedicated to preserving its natural beauty and recreational opportunities." From the DNR website

" Because the headwaters of the river are located in a boreal wetland that is rich in cedar, spruce and hemlock trees, the river's waters carry a significant amount of tannin in solution, and are often brown or golden-brown in color. The Tahquamenon Falls are thus acclaimed as being the largest naturally dyed or colored waterfall in the United States. The state park preserves the falls area and some 24 miles (39 km) of the river."  From Wikipedia