Frequently asked questions

Yes. Boarding is first come, first served — be at your pickup stop a few minutes before departure. Your reservation is valid for any shuttle that day in your direction. We encourage booking online so you get the full trip details even when cell service at the park is spotty. Your confirmation email (and text, when delivery works) includes your HT code, shuttle timetable, and where to board at Upper Falls and Lower Falls — save or screenshot them before you lose signal. Online booking also makes planning a UP trip easier: pay ahead, then change your date online or cancel online or by text when plans shift. Pay online with Visa/MasterCard (+$2 processing fee); Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay appear when shown on your device. Prefer cash? You can still pay at the shuttle.

Yes — three ways. When you book: at checkout, pay online with Visa/MasterCard (+$2 processing fee). Venmo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay appear when shown on your device; Venmo’s total includes a small fee so we still net the posted fare. After you book, with your confirmation code: use your HT code at huntertransportation.net/pay (or the link in your confirmation email) to pay online before you reach the park. At the shuttle: prefer to pay when you board? Cash, Visa, or MasterCard are accepted at the shuttle. No online processing fee when you pay there. Save your confirmation page or email — your HT code works offline where cell service is limited.

Yes. Open Manage reservation (or the confirmation link in your text/email), enter your HT code, and pick a new date at no charge. All-day reservations can change through the end of the booked day (Eastern), including the same day. If you booked a specific pickup hour, you can change date or time until that hour starts. Payment stays the same — you are not charged again. In that same window you can change party size and From/To for in-park trips and published North Country Trail or off-park fares. If you already paid and the fare goes up, you pay the difference online. If it goes down, we refund the difference to the original payment. If that refund does not go through, or the trip uses a custom address or a morning-route fare, or the change window has closed, call or text (906) 291-3422. Date changes are not finished by text.

Yes, and it is free. There is no cancellation fee. Open Manage reservation and request a one-time verification code, or text CHANGE to (906) 936-7567 and reply with your HT code, a reason, and that same 6-digit code. You can cancel until a booked pickup hour starts, or through the end of the booked day for an all-day reservation. Weather and other plans can change up to that time. The code is sent to the phone on the booking, with email fallback. The HT code alone does not cancel the reservation. You’ll choose a short reason so we can improve the service. Eligible paid online reservations receive a full refund of the amount paid, usually within 4–14 business days, depending on your bank. Unpaid and pay-at-shuttle reservations are cancelled without a charge. Date changes stay on Manage reservation. After that window, or if you need help, call or text (906) 291-3422.

Show your HT confirmation code — from your confirmation email, text, or a saved/printed confirmation page. That proves your reservation and whether you’ve already paid online. You do not need live cell service at the park; save or screenshot your confirmation before you lose signal. Prefer to pay when you board? Cash, Visa, or MasterCard are accepted at the shuttle — still bring your HT code if you reserved ahead.

At the Upper Falls and Lower Falls parking lots, go to the tall green flags with hiking symbols. Wait there — that’s where the shuttle picks you up. If you booked campground pickup (Hemlock, Portage, Rivermouth, or an NCT/corridor campground), wait at the site number on your confirmation — the van comes to your site. Arrive a few minutes before departure. Your confirmation also includes boarding directions you can save offline.

Check the departure times posted at the lot (and on our schedule page), or text HOURS to (906) 936-7567. Drivers typically run about a 40-minute stagger between Upper and Lower Falls pickups when we’re on the regular in-park loop. You can also open the shuttle map or text TRACK — the van shows when a driver phone is sharing GPS (coverage in the park can be spotty). Arrive at the green flags a few minutes early — boarding is first come, first served.

You can often walk up and ride when there’s room — boarding is first come, first served. A free online reservation still helps: you get your HT code, timetable, and boarding directions even when cell service is spotty, and you can pay ahead or change the date online, or cancel online or by text. On busy days, space can fill.

Most of the day we run Upper Falls ↔ Lower Falls and back. That ride is usually about 20–25 minutes each way along M-123, depending on traffic, weather, and boarding. Rivermouth and other stops are available when booked, but they’re not on every loop. NCT and off-park trips vary by distance — you’ll see an estimate when you get a quote online.

Both. Most of the day we run Upper ↔ Lower and back, so you can ride one way or both ways. One-way Upper ↔ Lower uses the posted fare ($25 first person, +$7 each additional, +$5 per pet). Same-day Upper ↔ Lower round trip is a bundle: $40 first person, +$12 each additional, +$8 per pet (whole trip). Pay on the outbound booking; the return is included. Each leg is valid on any shuttle that day in that direction — hike one way, ride back whenever you’re ready. Other routes (Rivermouth, NCT, off-park) price differently; see the rates page or your online quote.

On the regular Upper ↔ Lower loop, boarding is first come, first served and space can fill — especially for walk-ups on busy days. If this van is full, wait for the next loop (about a 40-minute stagger when we’re on the falls schedule). Booking ahead helps. Timed NCT and other off-park trips are different: we only confirm what we can seat. If you have a confirmed off-site reservation, you should not arrive to a full van — call us if anything looks wrong.

Upper ↔ Lower (all-day reservation): Your booking is good for any shuttle that day in your direction. If you miss one van, wait for the next loop at the green flags. Timed NCT / off-park pickup: Be at your stop a few minutes early. If you’re running late, call or text (906) 291-3422 as soon as you can — we hold a short window, then may need to continue the route. Missing a timed pickup without notice may mean rebooking; refunds follow our cancellation policy. If we are late or at the wrong stop, call us and we’ll make it right.

Shuttle service may be delayed or cancelled for weather, road, or park conditions. The Michigan DNR is not responsible for weather-related delays or cancellations. If we suspend service for the day, we text and email everyone with a confirmed reservation for that day to issue refunds or help you rebook. You can also check park conditions on our site, and call or text (906) 291-3422 if you’re unsure whether we’re running.

Service animals are welcome. We do not discriminate in shuttle service based on disability. Our day-to-day vans are standard passenger vehicles (not lift-equipped wheelchair vans). Foldable strollers may ride if they fit safely with your party and other guests — call or text (906) 291-3422 ahead if you have mobility or equipment questions so we can plan the stop and seating.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Michigan DNR) keeps a limited number of wheelchairs for park visitors at the Upper Falls and Lower Falls parking lots. They are first come, first served — we cannot guarantee one will be available, especially on busy weekends. Ask at the lot or visitor contact point when you arrive. Our shuttle vans are standard passenger vehicles, not lift-equipped — see shuttle accessibility for boarding. Call or text (906) 291-3422 ahead if you have mobility or equipment questions about riding.

Not currently. Car spotting (shuttling you one way and moving your vehicle to the other falls lot) is not offered. We focus on shuttles between Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Rivermouth Campground. Call or text (906) 291-3422 if you have questions about a future season.

For Upper ↔ Lower and other in-park stops, reservations are all-day (any shuttle that day in your direction). Book the same day, or ahead through the end of next season. Memorial Day, July 4th week, and peak summer weekends get crowded — reserve online so you have your HT code and boarding directions. For NCT and off-park trips, book online for morning or evening windows — including same day when a window is still open. Trailer gear space is limited too — add it when you book if you need it.

Three products, one company. Falls shuttle: in-park Upper ↔ Lower (and Rivermouth when booked). Most of the day we loop Upper and Lower. All-day reservations; board at the green flags. Start at /book. North Country Trail (NCT): trailheads and corridor campgrounds (like CR-500). Fits around falls service; timed pickups and advance notice. Start at /north-country-trail. Off-park: pickup and drop-off at stops like Wagner Falls and Laughing Whitefish Falls, plus custom trips in Alger, Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft counties — hotels, marinas, Whitefish Point, and campgrounds. Quotes online; some trips need a call. Start at /off-park. In-park falls service is always our daily priority.

Yes, when the hotel is in Alger, Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft counties. Use Off-park booking — select your hotel, a named stop like Wagner Falls or Laughing Whitefish Falls, or Custom location. Published Whitefish, Wheelhouse, and NCT fares checkout online. Custom addresses get an instant quote; pay online when the fare is fixed. Same-day, midday, or special timing: call or text (906) 291-3422.

Yes, in Alger, Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft counties. We do not shuttle Marquette, Escanaba, or the western Upper Peninsula. We pick up and drop off at Wagner Falls Scenic Site, Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, and other named stops, and we quote custom addresses in those counties: hotels, trailheads, campgrounds, and towns. Use Off-park booking — choose a named stop or Custom location. You get an instant estimate; pay online when the fare is fixed. Same-day, midday, or special timing: call or text (906) 291-3422. See the county map. In-park Upper ↔ Lower remains the daily priority.

Eastern Upper Peninsula only: Alger, Chippewa, Luce, Mackinac, and Schoolcraft. That includes Tahquamenon Falls, Paradise, Newberry, Sault Ste. Marie, Whitefish Point, St. Ignace, Munising, Grand Marais, Manistique, and Seney. We do not shuttle the western Upper Peninsula (Marquette, Houghton, Escanaba, and farther west). See the service area map.

Call Tahquamenon Falls State Park at (906) 492-3415 for camping, trails, waterfall access, passes, and other park questions. Call or text Hunter Transportation at (906) 291-3422 for shuttle bookings, pickup times, and ride changes.

If you drive your own vehicle into Tahquamenon Falls State Park, yes — a valid Michigan Recreation Passport or day pass is required at the entrance. Passports and day passes can be purchased at the park upon arrival. Passengers riding our licensed shuttle do not need a separate passport for that shuttle leg. Michigan DNR — Recreation Passport

Pets are not allowed in park buildings. Service animals, as defined by federal law, ride free. Other animals may ride the shuttle when we can take them, for $5 each, subject to park rules.

You must bring your own car seat or child restraint that meets Michigan law — Hunter Transportation does not provide car seats. Infants 24 months or less ride free with a paying adult when properly secured. Infants still count toward shuttle capacity.

Yes. Camping gear, bikes, kayaks, and canoes can ride in our enclosed trailer (dry haul). Equipment fees are add-ons on top of the passenger fare. When you book online, use the enclosed-trailer table to add each piece, enter standard or custom weights, confirm everything fits under our cargo limit, and see the quote before you pay. Capacity is limited; boats must be clean–drain–dry, and e-bike batteries ride in the cabin. Fee list: rates page. Call or text (906) 291-3422 to reserve trailer space if you are unsure.

Yes — call or text (906) 291-3422 to arrange. One trail sled is $150 one-way ($263 same-day round trip). Two sleds: $250 one-way or $438 same-day round trip when weight allows — we confirm before dispatch. This is not online checkout and not the in-park falls shuttle. Details: huntertransportation.net/snowmobile.

Sometimes. Our day-to-day tow vehicle has a limited cargo budget after the enclosed trailer dry weight (~1,289 lb). We confirm sled models, fuel, and gear weight before we commit to two sleds. Call (906) 291-3422 with your sled details.

Use the calendar when you book — days are color-coded so you can see what’s open online and what is on-call. Planning ahead (from March 1): book and pay online for the upcoming season — no phone call to hold your seat. Soft opening weekends (from May 1): Saturday and Sunday are online. Monday–Thursday on-call days are May 1–15: book online and choose a 1-hour window for when you expect to arrive at the park. After your hike, text PICKUP UPPER or PICKUP LOWER to (906) 936-7567. Monday–Thursday after Labor Day through season end: online booking required — same PICKUP keywords (both words). Questions or booking help: (906) 291-3422. Hours/rates without a call: text HOURS or RATES. Main season: on regular service days, book and pay online — no phone call needed. Outside the season: send a trip request on the booking form, or call us, and we’ll follow up.

In-park shuttles between Upper Falls, Lower Falls, and Rivermouth stay our daily priority — those reservations are all-day (any shuttle in your direction), and you can book them the same day or ahead through the end of next season. A trip with one end at Tahquamenon Falls needs 24 hours’ notice. A trip with both stops outside the park needs 48 hours. Same-day off-park adds a $40 premium. Midday off-park travel isn’t available online — call us. Instant quotes are on the NCT and off-park booking pages.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911 first. For non-emergency bailout (out of daylight, injury that allows walking, lost mileage, need a ride off corridor): text BAIL to (906) 936-7567, or call (906) 291-3422 if you need a person. We alert dispatch right away. Share your location pin in a follow-up text if you can — it helps us find you faster. BAIL trips get priority over routine scheduled runs when we dispatch.

If you opt in at booking, we send transactional texts only — not marketing (confirmation, payment updates, cancel codes). Always save your confirmation page or email; your HT code is valid at the shuttle without a text. SMS is optional — you can book by phone without a mobile number. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. For live info, text SHUTTLE (today’s ride steps), HOURS (schedule), RATES (rates), TRACK (live map), BOOK (book), CHANGE (free cancellation), or HELP to (906) 936-7567. On-call days, text PICKUP UPPER or PICKUP LOWER when your hike is done (UPPER or LOWER alone will not work). On posted-service days, wait at the green flags — do not text PICKUP for a staged pickup. Cancellation verification falls back to your booking email if SMS isn’t available.