This post is part of the Connect Travel Post Challenge #GemsOfTheWorld initiated by @KashifMisidia .
In this opportunity, I would like to take you to Kitch-iti-kipi, the largest natural freshwater spring in Michigan and one of the Upper Peninsula’s major attractions. This must-see site reflects its surroundings year-round on crystal-clear waters. This park is located at Palms Book State Park. Please visit their website here and do not forget to watch their short videos. It explains a lot about this spring.
Caption: Underwater ancient logs can be seen clearly in a greeny water
Caption: The name “Mirror of Heaven” suits this Spring very well
For you who does not know much about Michigan, it is divided by two major peninsulas, Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula and it is united by the Mackinac Bridge with a length is approximately five (5) miles. This is the longest suspension bridge in the Western Hemisphere suspended in the air over the straights of Mackinac.
The name Kitch-iti-kipi originated from the Ojibwa language, it means “Big Cold Spring” or “Mirror of Heaven”. It spans 200 feet across and 40 foot deep springs with more than 10,000 gallons a minute of gush water from the opening in the underlying limestone.
Caption: Some brochures and info about the largest natural freshwater spring
To make it easy for visitors to enjoy the spring, the park provides a self-observation O-shaped raft that can accommodate about 50 people to take you to the vantage point with a viewing window in the middle where visitors can see the transparent underwater. Visitors are also able to view on the side of the raft. This raft was actually constructed in 2003.
Caption: Free ride with human-operated raft crossing the spring
This park offers:
- Take your pet-friendly dog to the ride
- Children can enjoy turning the wheel to crack the raft across the spring
- Operate daily from 8am to 10pm
- Open all year long
- Free of charge to ride the raft
Exception:
- No swimming
- No fishing
However, to enter the State Park just like any other state park, visitors need a Michigan recreational pass.
On the way back make sure to check their concession store for souvenirs and all kinds of novelties. A big park next to the store has picnic tables and grills.
Caption: The store sells souvenirs and all kinds of concessions and novelties. Big park with picnic tables and grills
How about kayaking? About 4 miles down the road there is another park with a small boat and kayaking access. A quarter (¼) mile from here there is the mouth of the river or the inlet taking us back to the spring it’s about one mile upriver. You can only go so far and it has a stop before the spring. A sign saying NO Boats! do not go beyond this point!!!.
Caption: This is the farthest you can kayak, ahead of it is the spring. As you can see people from far away are waiting for their turn to get into the raft
Caption: My family on their kayaks
Caption: Small boat ramp/kayak launch and photos of the clearwater river
Accessibility 
: This park is ADA-accessible attraction; the trail from the parking lot leading to the raft and the raft itself is wheelchair friendly. A big restroom for the wheelchair is available.
Caption: Modern restroom with wheelchair accessible
A short video made by me while visiting the Spring and kayaking can be seen [HeRe]
Thanks for reading and if you have any chance to visit Michigan, this place is highly recommended by me 
