Discover Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island is located in the Straits of Mackinac, where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet. Water, nature, and history shape the island in different ways: Haldimand Bay is a natural harbor at the southern end and part of the Mackinac Island National Historic Landmark District.

Mackinac Island’s Landscape and Trails

More than 80 percent of the island is owned by Mackinac Island State Park; most of this parkland has been preserved in its natural state. The State Park was established in 1895, after Mackinac National Park had served as the second national park in the United States for twenty years. Today, the park includes 70.5 miles of signed and interpretive roads and trails.

One route on a different scale is State Highway M-185, which runs 8.2 miles around the entire island. Motor vehicles are not permitted on this road. One way to get to the island is by ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace; seasonal schedules may change. Check the schedule for your planned travel date.

The nature trails also offer different areas of focus. The Native American Cultural History Trail has six stops with informational signs about Native American history on Mackinac Island. The Mackinac Island Botanical Trail connects seven stops with plantings and signs about the island’s plant life. The British Landing Nature Trail features 20 nature exhibits and 19 marked trees.

Sugar Loaf, the island’s largest limestone outcrop, rises 75 feet above the ground. The action of the waves of the ancient Great Lakes wore away softer rocks in the surrounding area, exposing the limestone formations of Mackinac Island. The landscape thus draws attention both to individual prominent outcrops and to the geological processes that exposed the formations.

The Tranquil Bluff Trail offers another point of reference for planning: from the Milliken Nature Center at Arch Rock, stairs lead to its starting point. Trail conditions may vary. If you would rather organize your time on the island around nature topics, the signs and exhibits along the various trails provide specific themes—from plants and trees to Native American history.

Historic Sites and Cultural Insights

Mission Church was built in 1830 by the island’s first Protestant congregation. It is Michigan’s oldest surviving church building. The island’s military history can also be placed in time: in 1780, the British moved Fort Michilimackinac to the island.

The Biddle House depicts the home of Agatha and Edward Biddle in the 1830s. The McGulpin House is a rare example of early French Canadian residential architecture and features an interactive audiovisual program about Mackinac Island’s historic architecture. The Benjamin Blacksmith Shop demonstrates and explains traditional blacksmithing techniques; demonstrations are seasonal.

The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum presents fine and decorative art inspired by Mackinac over time. The collection ranges from hand-embroidered Native American clothing to 17th- and 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes. The Somewhere in Time Gazebo has a different connection to the island’s history: it is the original gazebo from the film Somewhere in Time, which was filmed on Mackinac Island.

Planning Your Stay

Fort Holmes is located at the highest point on Mackinac Island and offers an almost 360-degree view of the island and surrounding areas. The grounds are open at all times, while the blockhouse is open from May through October. Access periods may change; check the information before your visit.

The Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center is on the waterfront, at the foot of Fort Street and across from Marquette Park. When looking for a hotel on Mackinac Island, you can start by considering whether nature trails, scenic viewpoints, or historic sites will be a particular focus of your trip. This can help you choose a destination based on the themes you would like to explore during your stay.

Discover more destinations: St Ignace, Brevort, Naubinway.

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