Palms Book State Park

Introduction of Palms Book State Park

For tourists visiting the Upper Peninsula, Palms Book is a worthwhile side trip since Kitch-iti-kipi, The Big Spring, one of Michigan’s appealing natural features, may be found there. The biggest freshwater spring in Michigan is the 40-foot-deep Kitch-iti-kipi, which is 200 feet wide. Fissures in the underlying limestone let out almost 10,000 gallons per minute. The flow runs all year long at a steady temperature of 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Visitors are led to vantage locations with views of amazing underwater features and fantasies using a self-propelled observation raft. As they glide over the pure waters deep below, old tree trunks, lime-encrusted limbs, and plump fish seem poised in nothingness. The ever-changing shapes and formations created by sand clouds created by flowing streams test the imaginations of both young and old. The Kitch-iti-kipi Legend: According to legend, Kitch-iti-kipi was a young chieftain who was defeated by his girlfriend. In contrast to the other dark-haired women dancing under his birch bark wigwam, he informed her that he loved her more. Show me, she commanded. She ordered him to paddle his canoe onto the deep pool in the conifer swamp as a test of his love. She was to jump from a hanging branch, and he was to grab her from his boat. The spring was given the name Kitch-itikipi in honour of the young chieftain who allegedly drowned himself in the frigid waters to appease his ladylove’s irrational whim.

Palms Book State Park Activities

Historic Sites

Visitors are led to vantage locations with views of amazing underwater features and fantasies using a self-propelled observation raft.

Picnicking

There are barbecues and picnic tables available.

Hunting

Hunting is an option. Please contact the park for additional details.

History of Kitch-iti-kipi

The neighbourhood had been a thriving lumber hamlet in the late 1800s, like most of Michigan. A lumberjack by the name of John Bellaire discovered the spring in the 1920s, tucked away in a remote area. There wasn’t much to see when he first came upon Kitch-iti-kipi; the trees were overgrown, and the spring was clogged with waste materials left behind from the neighbourhood timber mill. John, though, saw how lovely the lake was below.

He negotiated for the state of Michigan to acquire the land for $10 rather than buying it for himself. In order to be used as a public park, the initial 90 acres were transferred to the state in 1926. The Palms Book Land Company, which assisted in the transaction, is the source of the name Palms Book State Park.

Palms Book State Park Today 

Despite the state park’s current 300-acre size, Kitch-iti-kipi is still its only draw.

However, there is a snack stand, a gift store, restrooms, and a little picnic space right there.

The state park Palms Book does not provide camping. Less than 10 miles to the south is Indian Lake State Park, which has both contemporary and basic camping amenities.

Northwest of Manistique, Palms Book State Park is roughly 20 minutes away.

Directions

Driving

A 15-minute drive north of Thompson on US-2 is Palms Book State Park, which is situated at the northernmost point of state route M-149.

Parking

Parking is available.

Public Transport

Public Transport is available.