All About Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s Largest Freshwater Spring

Michigan’s Crystal-Clear Beauty

Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan’s largest freshwater spring sits in the Upper Peninsula, where it pumps out 10,000 gallons of clear water every minute. The spring, known as the ‘Mirror of Heaven’ by natives, is 300 feet wide and 40 feet deep.

Now part of Palms Book State Park near Manistique, this natural pool draws people to its crystal clear waters.

Sinkhole That Turned Into a Spring

Over time, water permeated cracks in the limestone bedrock, gradually dissolving it and creating subterranean voids.

Eventually, the overlying rock layer collapsed into one of these cavities, resulting in a sinkhole.

When the top layer of limestone dissolved and collapsed into an underground cave, later filling with water through fissures in the limestone.

Once the Spring Was Discovered

John Bellaire, a former schoolteacher from St. Joseph County, discovered Kitch-iti-kipi in a dense forest near Indian Lake in 1920.

He worked to ensure it became an accessible state park by persuading the Palms Book Land Company, owned by the Palms and Book families, to sell 90 acres surrounding the spring to the State of Michigan for $10.

Special Meaning for Native Americans

Before Europeans arrived, the Ojibwe people treated Kitch-iti-kipi as a sacred place. They gave it a name that can mean either “big cold water” or “mirror of heaven,” showing how important it was to them.

The tribes passed down stories about using the spring water in healing ceremonies. Some legends suggest that Native American parents would visit the spring to seek names for their newborn children.

There’s Ancient Trees at the Bottom

When you look into the clear water, you’ll spot old white pine and oak trees lying on the spring’s floor. The spring’s frigid water temperatures preserve everything resting below, including tree trunks and branches.

The water is rich in calcium, which has turned parts of the wood into stone. The sand at the bottom of the spring is in constant motion due to the gushing waters from fissures in the limestone rocks.

Water Has a Special Green Color

This oval pool measuring 300 by 175 feet and about 40 feet deep has an emerald green bottom because of its depth and minerals.

When sunlight hits the dissolved calcium in the water, it creates color that changes through different parts of the pool. The water is so clear that you can spot individual grains of sand at the bottom, 40 feet down.

Even on cloudy days, you can see the ancient trees and make out every detail.

Stays Liquid All Year Long

The spring typically remains unfrozen during winter due to its constant 45-degree Fahrenheit temperature. The ancient limestone underneath constantly breaks down and adds minerals to the water.

However due to glacial melts, in March 2021, the spring experienced surface ice. While the park around it turns into a winter wonderland, the spring keeps pumping out 10,000 gallons of water each minute through its underwater channels.

Watch Sand Swirl in the Currents

Forty feet below the surface, water flows through cracks in limestone rock before reaching Kitch-iti-kipi. These natural channels formed over thousands of years and now create strong currents at the bottom.

As water passes through the limestone, it picks up calcium and magnesium. From the observation raft, you can watch sand swirl above spots where underground water pushes up through the spring floor.

Fish Have Made It Their Perfect Home

Brown and brook trout thrive in the spring’s mineral-rich water, with some growing as long as two feet. These fish do well here because the water temperature and chemistry never change.

Looking through the raft’s viewing windows, you’ll see these impressive fish swimming between old tree trunks and swirling sand clouds.

The water is so clear that the fish seem to float in mid-air as they move around.

Works Like a Natural Fountain

Think of this spring as a natural fountain where water pushes up through limestone cracks without any pumps.

This happens due to the hydraulic pressure that forces groundwater to the surface. This pressure system keeps working no matter what the weather is like above ground.

That’s why it has a consistent flow rate throughout the year.

The Observation Raft Views

A special raft moves across the 200-foot-wide spring on cables, and you get to steer it yourself. The ADA-accessible raft has big windows built into its floor so you can look down into the water while floating above it.

You can turn a large wheel to move the raft wherever you want to go. The current design (though renovated) has been helping people explore the spring since the 1920s, giving everyone a chance to see what lies beneath the surface.

You Can Visit Any Time of Year

The spring welcomes visitors 364 days a year, only closing on Christmas Day. Each season offers something different to see at Kitch-iti-kipi. In summer, you can feel the contrast between the warm 80-degree air and cool 45-degree water.

Winter brings a special sight as steam rises from the unfrozen spring while snow covers the surrounding forest. Thanks to paved paths and a covered raft, you can enjoy your visit in any weather.