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Discover the “Mirror of Heaven”

In the heart of Palms Book State Park lies Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest natural freshwater spring. Its ever-bubbling, teal-colored water surrounded by trees has mesmerizing powers, something the Ojibwa discovered centuries ago. They nicknamed this ancient spring the “Mirror of Heaven.”

Step aboard the self-operated wooden raft and glide across the surface. Beneath you, clouds of sand swirl in constant motion as 10,000 gallons of water per minute surge through fissures in the limestone bedrock. Large trout drift through the clear 40-foot-deep water, and if you’re lucky, you may see a river otter in pursuit.

This natural marvel is open year-round, and despite the cold temperatures of winter, the spring’s 45-degree water rarely ices over. The view down into this living, shifting world with fish, branches coated in lime and ancient tree trunks is one you won’t forget.

Bring your camera and take your time. Many visitors stay longer than expected.

Directions

   

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Accessible for Everyone — Even Pets

The park is wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, with benches and accessible parking. A short 0.2-mile (0.3 km) paved path leads from the lot to the dock, where the raft is ADA accessible. Leashed pets up to six feet are welcome on both the path and raft. Please clean up after them.

Reflections From Kitch-iti-kipi’s Past

For many years, Ojibwa families hunted and lived in the forests surrounding Kitch-iti-kipi. Many left as settlers followed the routes of European explorers and adventure seekers. The newcomers cleared trees, trapped wildlife for trade and harvested lumber to build communities across the Upper Peninsula and the Midwest. Lumber camps used Kitch-iti-kipi as a dumping site for unwanted logs and debris.

In the 1920s, Manistique shopkeeper John Bellaire came upon the spring and was captivated by its beauty. He visited often, determined that it should belong to everyone, not just one owner. Bellaire persuaded members of the Palms and Book families, who owned the Palms Book Land Company, to sell 90 acres surrounding the spring to the State of Michigan for $10. The deed required that the property always remain a public park.

Over the next two decades, the State acquired additional parcels, and today Palms Book State Park spans nearly 388 acres.

Many stories surround the spring. Ojibwa storyteller Carole Lynn Hare (Miskwa Anang Kwe) shared her tribe’s version in her 2020 book The Legend of Kitch-iti-kipi, preserving its deeper cultural significance. Bellaire, meanwhile, created his own tales in the 1920s to attract visitors to the area.

Kitch-iti-kipi Raft Operation

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Self-Operated Raft

The raft holds over a dozen people. Passengers turn the large wheel to move it out into the spring and back. A shaded central viewing window offers clear views of the water below. Rangers sometimes feed trout to attract them for photos. The raft runs year-round except in extreme winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Kitch-iti-kipi is the largest natural freshwater spring in Michigan. It is 200 feet across and 40 feet deep.

  • It rarely freezes in the winter. Its water temperature stays at a constant 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • About 10,000 gallons of water per minute erupt from fissures in the limestone at the spring’s floor.

  • The overflow enters a stream that winds through the surrounding forest and empties into Indian Lake.

  • Yes. The spring is connected to Indian Lake, so fish move between the bodies of water. Common species seen in the spring include lake trout, brown trout and brook trout.

   

Sightseeing Nearby

Plan several days in the area and make the most of your trip with other nearby experiences.

Plan Your Getaway Today

Whether you want a weekend getaway or an extended stay, this region offers plenty to see and do around the Big Spring. Stay close to the park so you have unhurried time to explore and room in your schedule to explore nearby lakes, trails and historic sites. Make your lodging reservations now and experience why visitors return year after year.

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