Mackinac: Island Trails, Shorelines and Heritage

Island Trails and Shorelines

Mackinac County includes Mackinac Island. In the county, Straits State Park offers 181 acres of recreational space on Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac. Trails also shape the landscape on Mackinac Island: Mackinac Island State Park covers more than 82 percent of the island, and there are more than 70 miles of trails for walking and hiking. Here, you’ll find a range of natural settings, from shoreline landscapes to longer trails across the island.

Explore the Outdoors

The North Country Trail passes through Straits State Park and runs partly along the park’s one-mile hiking trail. The park is especially notable during spring and fall bird migrations; it is also a destination on the Northern Huron Birding Trail. Access on the Lake Huron shoreline makes it possible to launch boats or equipment from shore. Water and weather conditions vary. The Tranquil Bluff Trail offers viewpoints overlooking Lake Huron and is suited to challenging hiking and mountain biking.

On Mackinac Island, the Botanical Trail focuses on plant life: signs cover trees, plants, fungi, flowers and ferns, as well as wildlife and birds. The British Landing Nature Center provides information about the island’s geology, plants, habitats and wildlife. An exhibit at a Mackinac Island State Park visitor center pairs historical images of Arch Rock with a timeline of the natural arch’s formation. These stops offer different perspectives: botanical signage, nature topics and the story of a distinctive rock formation.

History and Museums

At Straits State Park, the Father Marquette National Memorial was designated by the National Park Service in 1975 and opened to the public in 1976. An interpretive outdoor trail passes 15 stops; the memorial also includes powwow grounds and an amphitheater. Check for current on-site information before visiting.

The Museum of Ojibwa Culture grounds once housed a French Jesuit mission and are designated as the final resting place of Father Jacques Marquette. The museum and Marquette Mission Park feature indoor and outdoor exhibits on the culture and way of life of the Ojibwa and Huron peoples. Traditional teachings are presented in the museum in a longhouse that represents a Huron dwelling. Seasonal demonstrations, workshops and children’s craft activities round out the program; availability may vary by season.

Fort Mackinac has kept watch over Mackinac Island for more than 240 years. Visitors interested in everyday life and maritime history can explore tools and traditions of the people of Les Cheneaux at the Les Cheneaux Historical Museum, displayed in a log cabin. The Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum houses the O. M. Reif Boathouse, the Mariner’s Library, artifacts from the eastern Upper Peninsula and boats from Les Cheneaux. Admission to this maritime museum is free.

In Naubinway, the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum offers a different focus: it displays more than 185 antique, historic and classic snowmobiles. The museums thus span cultural and maritime subjects as well as the history of snowmobiling.

Plan Your Trip

Mackinac Island has been car-free for more than 100 years. Transportation and sightseeing options include carriage rides and horseback rides through Mackinac Island State Park. Ferries to Mackinac Island run from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City; check current schedules before traveling. The public marina on Mackinac Island has 80 slips. Most are available for temporary use during the day or overnight; check current availability. The island’s airport is available to regional charter flights and private aircraft as a self-service airport.

In St. Ignace, the Huron Boardwalk stretches about 6,000 feet along the downtown waterfront. It offers views of Lake Huron, Mackinac Island and ferry traffic. Information boards and historical kiosks cover the history, ways of life and industries of the Straits of Mackinac region. For cyclists, US Bicycle Route 10 is another regional reference point: it is designated in Mackinac County as a 60-mile route on paved roads. Route conditions and signage may change.

Discover more destinations: Brevort, Naubinway, Mackinac Island, St. Ignace, Delta County, Gogebic County, Roscommon County, Jackson.

For the broader travel overview: Michigan.