Kitch-iti-kipi, the Big Spring, sits in Palms Book State Park at the north end of Indian Lake, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula near Manistique. The Michigan DNR calls it the state's largest freshwater spring. 1

What to see

More than 10,000 gallons of water a minute come through fissures in the limestone, at a constant 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The DNR describes a crystal-clear pool with an emerald-green bottom. From the self-guided, accessible observation raft you can see tree trunks, lime-encrusted branches, lake trout and clouds of sand kept moving by the spring. 1

The raft is for viewing only. The DNR prohibits swimming, bathing, skin diving, scuba diving, fishing, boating, entering the spring, or launching or placing any object in it, including underwater cameras. Drones are prohibited over the raft. 1

Indian Lake is in the northeast part of the park, reached from Fishing Site Road, not from the main spring entrance. The park does not offer camping; the DNR points campers to nearby Indian Lake State Park. 1

Best seasons

The spring runs year-round at that same 45 degrees. 1 The park store is seasonal. Whether the raft is running that day belongs on the DNR park page. 1 People often pair this stop with Tahquamenon Falls or Pictured Rocks on an Upper Peninsula trip. The DNR itself names Pictured Rocks as a nearby lakeshore people also visit. 1

How to get there

The DNR address is 1380 Sawmill Road, Manistique, Michigan, 49854, at the northern end of M-149. Signs may say Palms Book or the Big Spring. 1

Tips

  • Stay on the raft and the path. The rules about the water are posted because the spring is the whole park. 1
  • We do not have a Kitch-iti-kipi listing in the shop. The UP water we do print is Tahquamenon Falls.

Safety

Cold spring water and a moving raft are the hazards the DNR names. This page does not report whether the raft is running today. Check the Palms Book State Park page before you go. 1