Kitch-iti-kipi : Road Trip to the Big Spring in a Little Town Up North

Raft on Kitch-iti-kipiHeather Raulerson

One of the best tourist attractions in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the least known. Kitch-iti-kipi is the largest freshwater spring located in Manistique and one of the most challenging destinations to pronounce. Situated in Palms Book State Park, you can ride a raft that takes you slowly across the spring where you can see in the water to watch over 10,000 gallons of 45 degrees Fahrenheit water gushing up through the cracks in the rock.

The banks of the Big SpringHeather Raulerson

This natural wonder of the Big Spring has a legend that is said to be about a young Native American chieftain whose girlfriend got the best of him. He told her he loved her far above the other Indian maidens. Prove it, she insisted. So to test his devotion, she was to leap from an overhanging branch, and he was to catch her from his canoe, proving his love.

He took his canoe onto the icy waters looking for her, but he couldn’t find her. Tragically, his canoe tipped, and he drowned. Where was his love? Back in her village, laughing at his frivolous attempt to prove his love. The Big Spring is named Kitch-iti-kipi for the memory of the young chieftain who tragically lost his death for the vanity of a silly girl.

Waiting for the Kitch-iti-kipi raftHeather Raulerson

Kitch-iti-kipi is in a state park, so you will need a Michigan recreational pass or a day pass to enter the park. During the summer months, the parking lot will be crowded. Watch out for kids and people moving among the cars while you are trying to find a spot. Once you’ve parked, head down to the spring, following the path in the woods. Due to erosion of the banks around the spring, please stay on the path to prevent any rocks or twigs from getting in the water. You can see several tree branches that have fallen below the surface from the path.

Tree trunks under the waterHeather Raulerson

The path winds down to the platform, where you board onto the raft that takes you across the water. As you head onto the raft, pick a spot in the center where you can look down into the open area of the raft into the water. The day I went, the wind was breezy, creating ripples along the top of the water, making it hard to see down. However, the open area in the center of the raft gives you a straight shot down through the calm crystal clear blue water.

The bottom of Kitch-iti-kipiHeather Raulerson

Looking over 40ft down, you can see a volcano of limestone sand bursting upward with the water between the cracks in the ground. And as you move slowly further across the spring, you start seeing the huge lake trout swimming along the bottom of the spring. It is a fantastic sight to look up and see the colors of the blue sky and green trees reflected on the top of the spring and then look down to see the violence happening below the surface.

Reflections in Kitch-iti-kipiHeather Raulerson

The raft ride seems so slow, and at the same time, you are disappointed that it ends so quickly. On the first pass over the spring, spend the time looking into the water, and then on the return ride, you can look out and raise your face to the sun and enjoy the view. Kids are even offered a chance to drive the raft on the return trip.

Boarding the raft on Kitch-iti-kipiHeather Raulerson

Indian Lake is connected to the spring, and on my visit, we saw canoers enjoying the spring from a different viewpoint from Indian Lake. After the raft ride, make sure to check out the signs by the overlook. You can read and see photos of Palms Book State Park since the 1930s and Kitch-iti-kipi photos of the late 1800s. And before you leave the park, you have to take a stroll through the gift shop to pick up your souvenirs.

Leading into Indian LakeHeather Raulerson

Kitch-iti-kipi is an absolute must-visit destination when you are road tripping through Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Taking the detour to see the Mirror of Heaven is worth the extra time it takes to find once you cross over the Mackinac Bridge. I’m still surprised that it took me over 30 years of living up here and visiting the U.P. to explore this majestic big spring finally. I hope you can find your way up here to experience the beauty and calming influence that the spring will bring you. Take a look for yourself!

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