Mackinac Island State Park Reviews

Upon arriving on Mackinac Island you instantly feel a little bit more relaxed. With the hustle and bustle of traffic you can meander around the island on bike or horse and take in all the sights and sounds of Mother Nature. It is completely amazing. Most of Mackinac is a state park. Pretty much the whole time you are there you are enjoying one of Michigan’s finest.

Great little island. Obviously touristy, but it’s quaint and cute and unique. We explored the interior of the island by hiking scenic and easy trails. Was so peaceful and you could smell the cedar wood at times. Sugar Loaf was a neat rock formation. This was a nice get away from the busy main streets. I highly recommend hiking here.

Main streets- horses and bicycles all over; so fun! We’re pretty sensitive to smells in my family, and the island main streets did not bother us much at all. There are workers constantly cleaning and hosing things down. Sure, you have to watch your step sometimes, but when heading to an island full of horses, that’s pretty obvious.

To avoid super crowds and long wait times- go on a weekday, or off season, or eat at random times. We got into the Pink Pony with eight of us in 20 minutes at 3:00 pm on a Tuesday in the summer. It’s not hard to enjoy touristy places with a little bit of planning and less popular eating times. And this island and state park are totally awesome and unique!

Can’t wait to go back.

A must see! Over eighty percent of Mackinac Island is State Park property, and most of this parkland remains in its natural condition to be enjoyed. It has a great variety of historic and natural resources. I observed historic landmarks, breathtaking vistas, spectacular rock formations, quiet forests, and inspiring nature trails. I saw the park when I took my 2-hour carriage ride with a tour guide that was very knowledgeable about the area.

I only went for the day, but it wasn't enough time. I could spend a weekend alone just doing the hikes!

It is misleading if one assumes this Park is not much more than some forrest and natural settings in one area. Most of Mackinac Island is, in fact, the state park, so it is extensive and comprehensive. There is SO much to see and appreciate! It includes things like the Governor’s summer residence, Anne’s Tablet, Skull Cave, Marquette Park, Scout Barracks, Cass Monument, Dwightwood Springs, Arch Rock, cemeteries, forts and more. It would be wise to read a bit about the various points of interest and their historical importance to the island before going if possible. For example, Skull Cave was a hiding place for Alexander Henry, one of few Brits to survive Pontiac’s Uprising in 1763. Websites should have info. I think if one has a bit of knowledge about the history of the island and these sites ahead of time they will enjoy and appreciate everything much more. I wish we had done that.

I had not been to the island since 1972. I shouldn't have waited. My wife dragged me here and I grudgingly consented. And you know what? I loved it! What a great place to spend a day or two. Beautiful views, quaint old buildings and winding, hilly streets. Restaurants and shops, the clip-clip of horses and lots and lots of bikes. Good times!

We saw tourists, horse poop, more tourists, more horse poop, more tourists, more horse poop...... Too crowded, too many t-shirt shops and fudge shops, too many tourists on bikes. If not for the addition of horses pooping all over everywhere, you could have been at any other tourist trap in the world.

We walked one morning in the park and it was beautiful! Lots of types of trees not found in our state. I would recommend doing this early in the day before it gets too hot.

Taking the ferry to the island was quick and easy. It drops you off onto path that leads to Main Street . The Main Street was VERY crowded with people. Most were there for shopping and eating sweets. There were many shops with fudge and ice cream along with tons of tee shirt shops. Very interesting fact. There are not cars on the island, everything is horse driven or bikes. I believe that on a hot day the Main Street is not a pleasant smelling experience with all the horses. Being adventurous we walked from one side of the island to the other. Beautiful paths with helpful identification markers in the wooded area to point out the various trees and plants. The Arch Rock was beautiful and overlooking the water was gorgeous. Plan on a fun day of walking

Hiking or biking is the best way to enjoy Mackinac Island! The carriage rides are nice and some of the drivers are informative but your views are limited. If hiking or biking stopping to take photos is an option and changing your mind about what you want to see is all up to you! There are plenty of brochures and signs to give you touristy information.

Cold day at end of season but still interesting and beautiful, Had a private carriage ride via Jack's Livery with a wonderful documentary from a local student. ... and because this was the end of the season, store prices were 30 - 70% discounted. Trip to the island was a bit to cold and rough for water skiing.

There are stairs for almost all of the landmarks. It was nice because none of the landmarks were far from each other. Downside of that was it did not kill ass much time as we had hoped.

The thing about Mackinaw Island State Park, is it it NOT just the town. I personally would rather strike out on my own and see the island;s natural beauty, amazing geological formations, and focus on the history instead of visiting all the tourist shops and over priced restaurants. Be aware, the island is super popular during the summer with tourist from all over the world. There are going to be too many people, so be prepared, they all came for the same reason you did! I suggest going in the off season (like the weekend before the island shuts down for tourist season) as there are less people and most shops are offering discounts. The activities, stores, and other venues can get pricey, fast. Be aware, most hotels on the island do NOT have air conditioning. Just a heads up. Be prepared to walk or pay for a ride as there are roads but no cars. Biking around the island is 8.3 miles so be aware before you head out. It's a longer but nice ride with lots of places to take breaks like the arch, the many stretches of beach and beautiful sites to take in. Even with it drizzling the whole time and the wind whipping off the lake like when we were there last, it was a great bike ride and beautiful scenery.

Went through the park on a carriage ride only saw a small part of it but you can hire a bike from several places and make use of lots of tracks,

Our visit to the Island was perfect! We took Shepler’s Ferry, ate breakfast at The Chuckwagon, rented a tandem bike and rode the 8.2 around the island (paved, gorgeous easy trip). We stopped to hike Arch Rock (incredible views!) and to rest in the Adirondack chairs on the lawn at Mission Point Resort, on the banks of Lake Huron. Sampled JoAnn’s Fudge, wandered the eclectic and fun gift shop, Caddywampus, and had a fab dinner (and frozen margarita) at Smoky Jose’s. Perfect way to relax and be refreshed.

I loved the day trip to this charming little island. Word of warning is to get there early. We took the Sheplers 8:00 AM ferry - a 16 minute trip from St. Ignace - and enjoyed relative solitude, especially if you hike up to the fort and start walking around. Rent a bike, take a carriage ride, or just walk around on well developed trails. Liked the Arch rock, the cemetery, and walking around the harbor. By the time we left around noon, the island was packed. The downtown Main Street lacks restaurants with few options. 3-4 hours was enough walking around for us.

Picnic tables dotted around the place. Woodsy, peAceful. Great bike trails, which runs right along the shoreline. Beautiful. Water totally clear!
Easy trails. Beautiful place to get away. Plenty of waterfront to stop and enjoy the great lake.

8 miles around the island by trail, with most of the miles within the park.

Since this state park is only accessible via bike, walk, or carriage (no mator vehicles), it feels that much more intimate and charming. Carriage tour goes through part of it and if you have a bike, you have have a very good explore.

This little island is such a gem! (not a hidden one whatsoever though)

Everything about the island is great. The bike ride around the periphery, the rustic charm like none other, food etc.

To appreciate the park, you need to get out of the town. Nice couple hour bike ride around perimeter of the island. Able to see Arch Rock and the beauty of the island. Many detours available to make trip longer.

Scenic views as far as you can go. Clear of pollution as strictly no cars. Rent a bike and drive by the 8-mile island loop for breathtaking views.

Mackinac island is cute and the state park is reasonably interesting. The problem is that in order to visit the state park in the summer (even midweek) you have to deal with gazillions of tourists. You can take a bike ride around the park but unfortunately there are tons of bike riders, most of whom have no conception of how to ride safely. It’s like running a gauntlet. You can’t really review thr state park separately from the island which is over touristed, way overpriced, and a bit tacky. Maybe there was a time decades ago when it was a very special place. Now it’s a tourist center on steroids which unfortunately makes it hard to enjoy the state park. Rather than spending a ton of money to visit a place that Is way over-touristed, give some of that money to charity and save yourself the hassle.

Majority of the island is state park. Lots of fun to explore on foot or on bike. You can also get horse drawn carriage tours.

There is something for everyone on this island that has beautiful views all around and unique charm with no cars, use of horse carriages for transportation and loaded with tourists enjoying fudge and biking along the island perimeter. It is easy to forget for a while that one is still in the USA. The ferry from Mackinaw City is approx 30 minutes one way and costs about $30/person.

We walked the State Park while it was raining. It was a walk that we had walked before on nice days but with only a 2 night stay and rain in the forecast we decided to go for it because we had rain gear. We walked from down town up past Grand Hotel and got some cover at the Grand Hotel stables. The stables are a great place to visit. Many old carriages to look at. We walked over to Arch Rock in a steady rain. Well worth the walk rain or shine. There are restrooms there but it would be nice if they had a covered area to sit. We went down the stairs to the shoreline road and walked past Mission Point Resort back to town. A total walk of about 3 miles. It would be nice if there was a few more shelters along the way. A walk in the rain that we will remember.

Mackinac Island was amazing. We didn't know what to expect but we enjoyed a glorious day. It was a beautiful fall day. The sky was blue and the sun was shining.
We took the ferry from Mackinaw City. Upon arrival we took the carriage tour. We disembarked the carriage at the Grand Hotel. Although we were not guests at the hotel, we were able to walk the grounds and entered the main lobby where we were able to walk throughout the first floor and the lower level where the gift shop and other stores are found. It is a beautiful place. There is also an ice cream parlor but we did not partake of the ice cream sundaes for $17!
We walked back to town stopping along the way to admire the beauty of quaintness of the island. We rented bicycles which we rode around the perimeter of the island...8.2 miles of sheer beauty. Upon our return from our ride, we visited a few stores and had dinner at Mighty Macs Hamburgers. Then it was time to return to Mackinaw City on the ferry. One day is plenty of time to see the whole island but staying on the island would be enjoyable as well. As for staying at the Grand Hotel...that would be wonderful if you don't mind spending $600-$800 per night. Some rooms are even higher! I think we'll just come for the day.

Road a carriage through some of the park. The guide was hilarious and charming. Educational in terms of history and geology.

This park is in front of the fort that you see on pictures, during Lilac festival you can enjoy various Lilac trees - scents, the bag pipe band(s) have a performance in the park, during the summer there are various activities in the park. a great place to sit on the weekends when the yacht races arrive either from Chicago, ill. or Port Huron, Mi

We were not prepared for the beauty and pristine quality of the park. No cars on the island certainly is a big factor. Also a ban on fires in most places helps maintain its natural beauty. We loved hiking and spending quiet time in the park. There are no fees.

It smells like horse poop everywhere. It was so expensive and the food was awful and I went to dozen restaurant. So expensive and so inevitable! Ride your bike elsewhere out of town? Be prepared for the poop smell permeating the entire island. Not only that but flies flies and more flies your entire stay. Some things need to be changed here I'll never go back it was gross and crowded and I don't know why it was gross

We had such a good time for our sons first visit. Biked all the way around in just over an hour. Toured the Fort and watched some reenactments. Had a Great meal at Smokey Jose's. Wonderful time!

Please do yourself a favor and enjoy this remarkable site. Tons of history, well presented and very entertaining.

It is well worth the walk up the hill to this restored fort. You get a great view of the harbor and as far off as the bridge on a clear day as when we were there. We did the full circuit of all of the buidlings a explanatory panels, and heard the story of the one battle nearby which the Americans lost to the British. We interacted with a couple of guys in period army uniforms who gave a cannon demonstration and a rifle demonstration, quite interesting. My wife found a nice zip-front sweatshit in the gift shop with a Great Lakes logo, so she was happy with that. We were there in September, well after peak tourist season, so we had at most 2 or 3 other couples in the same place that we were. I suspect June=July-August are much different!

The ride around Mackinac and through the park is iconic for a reason, it’s beautiful! My teenagers were skeptical about riding around the island but we did it and it was their favorite part of the day!

Carriage ride was fun. Galen was a great driver. If not on a tour you can see arch rock if biking and ok with 207 stairs. Great place to spend a few hours

My husband liked it here but I thought it was a waste of time. Sorry to say that! It is lovely, no doubt. We waited a while to get on a boat to take us there and it was $50/person. Plus extra $ to take our bikes on the boat and glad we did because there was nothing else to do that interested us. There are other state parks in Michigan which I thought were way better, better hiking, better everything. We should not have gone on a holiday weekend, that may have been the problem. I hate crowds in touristy places. This was nothing but crowds in a touristy place. There are a lot of people on the carriage rides so the horses did their business all over the streets and maybe they pick it up at the end of the day; IDK - but this is not a place for a person with a good sense of smell. We rode our bikes around the perimeter and ate lunch at a great restaurant, and sat beside a lovely park. Then we went back around and cut through the middle and that road (British Landing Road) was FULL of horse manure and was afraid it would get on my bike tires.

This was our first time here and we loved it. We took our bikes with us (addt'l $11.00 per bike to take on ferry) and biked the 8-mile loop around the island, stopping and seeing all the sites along the way. The food is expensive so I would recommend packing a lunch and snacks.

visiting for the first time, did a carriage tour, amazing experience got to see the island and learn a lot of the history. A must do if you are not a biker

We did very little in the state park unfortunately. You could easily spend a day here. We took the carriage tour through the park to see the cemeteries and arch rock. If I had more time I would definitely rent a bike and do more exploring throughout.

What a wonderful place. I definitely recommend spending a night. Many people leave and you feel like you can explore more freely. So much to do, could stay a couple nights, but one will sufice.

We rode bikes, so pretty. Look for fossils along the shore. Lovely wild flowers too. Park the bikes and wander to the water tine!

As soon as you step off the ferry, you are transported to a place you never knew existed. The sound of the horses hooves, and seeing the victorian homes is truly amazing. The next thing that hits you is the smell of fudge. It is instantly relaxing.

I loved riding a bicycle around the perimeter of the Island; it’s mostly flat and the view of Lake Huron was very beautiful !!!!!

While on the island we took the Mackinac Island Carriage Tour. Part of the tour was aboard a 3 horse wagon that went through the state park. We made a stop @ Arch Rock. This is an awesome location 4 photos, send some home make those that didn't travel green with envy. If U prefer U can ride bikes through the park, walk, or rent a horse of your own.

We took the island tour and went through the park via horse and carriage. It was very informative and well worth the time.

What a beiutiful little town...so perfect..so many photo oppertunities...so many horses!! Lots of flowers...the victorian homes are marvelous and OMG to look at.....lots of places to eat and a bit pricy...SO MUCH FUDGE!!!! Ok a must visit...and on a short note...be carefull where you step!...to many 'chinese' made tourist junk and t-shirts..

We visited Mackinac Island State Park on a recent visit to the island. The park covers a good portion of the island and it includes bluffs, rock formations, old forts, roads, woods, and miles of lake shore. It is a very beautiful place and it is worth exploring. I have been to Mackinac Island many times and have explored the park often, but I still feel like there is so much I haven’t seen.

No automobile traffic. An almost level, eight mile two lane back-top road. The beautiful State Park on one side. The clear blue water of Lake Huron on your other side. How could it get any better than that? What a relaxing and leisurely ninety minute bicycle ride. We continue to do this every time we've visited the Island, even though both of us are headed toward our eighty-year-old birthdays!

We toured Mackinac Island on bike for 2 days and had a fantastic time. Bike rentals can be found everywhere but can get costly if you are there for an extended time. (About $60.00 per day for a beach rider) But it is a great way to see all of the Island and the beautiful waters.

We took the carriage ride through the park; at this point in our lives, riding is much more comfortable than walking/hiking, especially for long distances.
The ride was leisurely; and our driver/narrator provided a wealth of information (and humor). The story of the Post cemetery was particularly poignant.
This is wonderful place to explore, experience, and enjoy a walk (or ride) back in time.

Our 3rd trip to Mackinac Island, but the first in over 30 years. A lot of changes to the Island, but still one of the prettiest and most relaxing places to ever visit.
The flowers were awesome, we were very fortunate to have 2 beautiful days in early September to enjoy. This should be a destination for about anyone who enjoys scenic beauty, peace & quiet and wants a truly fun experience.

Most of Mackinac Island is inside the park. Lots of wooded areas, coastal views, Arch Rock, no camping and no camp fires. Views of the Mackinac Bridge are awesome. Bike the 8.2 mile road around the perimeter of the island.

If you want one of the most beautiful bike rides in the U.S. you must circumnavigate the island. The views are literally breathtaking amazing and there are fun stops along the way for hiking up the bluffs or snippets of historical information. Little nature trail loops and the amazing vistas of Lake Huron & Lake Michigan and the 'Mighty Mac'. You can really enjoy a peaceful and easy ride. If you are looking for a little more challenge, just head into the interior where you will hit some serious elevations and some little geographical treats like the Crack in the Island or Arch Rock (which can also be seen from the outer loop). Be prepared for sun, wind and chilly days - you never know what you will get on the lake! We had an awesome time.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip there. It was on my "Bucket List" of things to do. crossed the bridge many times, but never had time to go to the Island. A lot of great history. Boat ride over; took the carriage tour around the Island; I recommend it. Grand Hotel was more than Grand!

Beautiful island lots to do and explore, but there need to remove the e-bike ban, there are a lot of hill’s going inland and an e-bike would help greatly!

We rented bikes and toured the island. Even for off peak times the park was very busy. The bike/ walking path is excellently maintained. The entire time spent on the island was enjoyable.

This entire island is amazing. Take a walk back in time and enjoy a place without any cars or motor vehicles. You'll bike or ride horses to get around. If possible, stay the night on the island to truly enjoy the island life and all that takes place here. Be sure to ride your bike up in to the middle of the island or take one of the horse carriage tours to see some amazing sites.

We took a horse and carriage tour of the state park with a very informative guide! He chatted the entire tour about things in the park and the island. We made a few stops for some of the various places in the park. Very pretty area.

Mackinac island is a great place to explore. It’s a interesting place, no cars allowed only horses and bikes. The shops and restaurants are nice to visit. The ferry ride over is scenic and only about 20 min. We will be back again very soon.

My wife and I brought over our own bicycles and rode all over the island n a myriad of trails. The scenery is beautiful and the ride in the forest very serene. I highly recommend you bring your own bikes if you plan on cycling more than an hour. The rental places are very expensive.

I booked a hotel for 4 days. Honestly, I could have done it in a weekend. It only took us 1 day on the island to see everything including taking a tour and going to many of the sites. Most disappointing was Skull cave. It's no longer a cave because they had to dynamite it because teenagers were partying in it and it was in danger of caving in. They should take it off the map. Other than the island there is nothing else to do when you get back to Mackinac city or St. Ignace except shop at cheap tourist stores or sit on the beach while you dodge all the bugs flying around you.

So much of Mackinac Island is actually the State Park. The Beaches were amazing and we swam and had a picnic lunch at a different beach every day! There are bicycle trails for all levels of riders including mountain biking trails. Bathrooms were available in several spots and were kept clean. The beaches, water and roads/trails were immaculate. Great swimming, relaxing and rock skipping! Unplug and disconnect When you visit. What an amazing place!

I’m reviewing as a shopper. We were told before taking the ferry to the island and on the boat over that there were many unique shops. There were plenty of shops…. Filled with the exact same merchandise. All the same t-shirts, mugs, shot glasses… etc…. If you’ve ever been on a Caribbean cruise, then you know what I’m talking about. Very disappointing. Extremely commercialized

The island will be pricey, but food now it is crazy. They seem short on help.
The workers that have been hired do not really know what they are doing. Training must be lacking. If you order something one day it may not be the same the next. Watch the prices. Workers are charging more then they should and the order is wrong on the bill. Watch your change you receive back. Shakes are watery. It should be done with the same amount every time to get it correct. Shakes and smoothies need to be thick. Goodfellows restaurant changed their menu and it is very pricey and food lacks flavor. Crab legs 100 dollars for 1.5 lbs.
and did not seem like 1.5 lbs and they lacked any flavor and the butter was not butter but more like oil. You get no choice of potato or veggie. You get what they have. For that price you should get a choice. Mary's bistro served me cold chicken and the pizza (pepperoni) 14.00 for a child size. The size is different every time. Pancake place pricey now. Go to Chuckwagons

A really unique place. You have to rent a bike to experience all the unique things. You’ll see so many families riding bikes together around the island that you start thinking- wow I wish families on bikes was more normal in the US. Everybody was having such a blast. Kids laughing, dads laughing. On the bike trail you’ll see groups swimming in the lake, people pick-nicking, and doing all sorts of old time Norman Rockwell activities. It’s refreshing in this screen time world.
You’ll see people riding bikes with their poodles in the basket- it’s hilarious.
There’s a cool stopping place on the bike path for lunch and a snack bar. It’s fun.
Have a hot dog or an ice cream.

Yes downtown does get a little packed by noon on a nice day. But if you’re on a bike, it allows you to explore all the back streets and side streets.
If you like old houses and or gardens, you’ll love this place. Its a really special place.

My family has been coming to Mackinac for many years; specifically, to ride through the park on this beautiful island. It is so peaceful and beautiful. It's always hard to leave!

We did not get a chance to spend much time here but it is very pretty and very well taken care of. A must see when on the island.

Lovely park for walks, hikes or a carriage ride. Very clean facilities and well maintained. We will definitely come back next year.

Medicine for a tired soul. I went for a quiet walk across the Mackinac Island, through the tranquil bush paths. What a blessing and peaceful quiet time I had. Best medicine for the weary!

Everyone needs to visit this island! It was relaxing, fun, educational, plenty of exercise and food, lots of food.

Had an awesome time biking around the island. The view is beautiful and the ride is very easy on the 8.2 mile loop around the island. We also cut through the middle to see additional sites, which added a few miles. The ride uphill was a little tough but the ride back down was so much fun, all downhill and we were flying!

Of course you have to get fudge while you're there. Murray's has the creamiest fudge in town. It melts in your mouth.

Only complaint is the cost of the ferry ride to get there... it's a bit expensive but that's vacation, right... Only spent the day there but would love to return and spend more time on the island.

Such missed feelings about this part of the trip.

So happy we went. So sad we didn’t get to do everything. 😢

I didn’t set aside enough time.

So much to do on such a little island!

Wish we would have done a carriage tour to save walking time and see more stuff faster!

Ran out of time to do the bike ride around the island. SUPER sad about that 😭

Grand Hotel is beautiful.

Mini golf on real grass was fun and different.

All the fudge is delicious but our favorite was Murdick’s.

Forge a Memory was cool but very overpriced for what you get to do.

Arch Rock is beautiful and the walk there is gorgeous. (But, again, be smarter than us and take a carriage ride there)

Doud’s is a cute grocery store with very reasonable prices (especially considering it’s Mackinac Island)

If I ever get a chance to go again I’m making sure to go for 2 days!!!

The island is a great place for a day visit. Lots of trails with excellent views and history of the island and forts. Quick ferry ride from Mackinaw City.

We took a carriage tour of the Park which included the cemeteries, Arch Rock, skull cave, quarries, rifle range, and the Fort. Beautiful park with a diversity of nature. Would be a fun place to explore on bike or foot.

the entire island smells like horse manure.
it's crowded with tourist and bikes, slow people who just wander around and not know what they are doing or where they are going.
fudge is full of sugar. most hotels are expensive.
paths are nice, but crowded and smelly,
my review if for the entire island, not really the park.
be careful where you step.

The trip to Mackinac Island will always remain a lifetime memory of Michigan's landscape beauty. The trip took my wife and I about 5 hours from our home state but the driving speeds of 75-80 really cut the travel time short. The beauty of the Michigan landscape and the numerous rest stops along the way contributed greatly to a most enjoyable relaxing stress free trip. My wife and I reserved hotel accommodations for our three night visit. Our hotel was located right on the main street within easy access to the various shops and restaurants for a great shopping and dinning experience. Basic means of traveling on the island can be accomplished by walking, renting and riding a bicycle or horse drawn taxi. Mackinac Island has so much to offer and much to see. An adventure I strongly recommend. My wife and I look forward to revisiting Mackinac Island this coming Spring for what will surely be another exciting experience.

Beautiful island, we biked around the island, visited the shops, like a step back in time. No motorized vehicles at all. Did a day trip only regret not spending the night. So much to do I would recommend at least 2 or 3 days.

We drove up from Chicago and brought our bikes. We biked in Michigan on the way up cut across the UP and will bike in Wisconsin on our way home. There is an 8 mile paved loop you can ride around the island. There are restrooms about 1/2 way around. Scenery is spectacular.

PROS for people who don’t like fudge or shopping: it is a car free island making biking safe and easy, there is a 8 mile paved perimeter road with beautiful scenery, it is a 15 minute ferry ride from Mackinac City to the island on Shepler Ferry, historic markers are all along the route giving Native American history. I stopped numerous times to take pictures and easily finished biking the loop in 1.5 hours.

The town itself is cute and it is loaded with flowers and charm.

If you like fudge or shopping there is plenty of that to go around.

Not sure what part of the island takes in the state park, but a ride around the perimeter of the island takes in beautiful forest on one side with views of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan on the other. You are frequently just yards from the water. The wide, paved trail is about 8 miles around and flat. You can stop along the way (wayside stops) or walk the stones to the water's edge. A hike or bike through the center of the island is beautiful but more of a challenge. If you're in shape, then definitely do it.

A lot of visitors use this park as a place to rest. The park staff keep the grounds clean. It is a lovely place to sit.

Visiting Mackinaw Island was a bucket list item for me. It did not disappoint. I felt like a kid in a candy store. I loved Somewhere in time movie so going to this location was a bucket list item for me. I cannot wait to return.

Where else can you eat great food while hiking and biking great trails in the forest or looking at the turquoise water?! Loved the Tranquil Bluff Trail and the Manitou Trail over to Arch Rock. Stunning views of Lake Huron, the peaceful woods and hearing the sound of the surf. Love this place!

The action may be in town, but the beauty is in the interior of the island. The 8 mile road around the circumference of the island is an easy bike ride with so much to see. Stop to build your own rock tower on the eastern side. Find "Is It You" on the southwest side. Visit the 300 year old cemeteries north of Fort Mackinac. Bike the many trails up in the interior of the island. That's where the beauty is. You'll have plenty of time for downtown action in the evening. See the Park.

We rode bikes through the state park. Beautiful scenery. A must see when visiting Mackinac Island. Lots of interesting points of interest

If you've never been...this place is amazing especially during good weather. I want to take a group the next time and bike around the island again...maybe more hiking too!

Larger than we anticipated...and loaded with history. The views of Lake Michigan from the island are amazing. The Grand Hotel is dripping in history and beauty.

It was lovely weather. Enjoyed the ferry ride and the view around and under the Mackinac Bridge. We took a carriage ride around the Island. The driver was entertaining and informative. Stopped in a few shops. The people were friendly and helpful and created a wonderful atmosphere. We purchased the delicious fudge made on the Island.

The best way to see Mackinac Island is by bike! There are several rental companies near the ferry docks, but you can also bring your own bike onto the island for ~$11 roundtrip.

The most popular ride is ~8mi around the island; it is a mostly flat paved trail, takes 2-3 hours, and offers spectacular lake views all the around. Overcrowding on the bike trails, especially in July/August, can be an issue, so plan to start early or late. If you stay on the island (which I highly recommend), you can start your ride even before the first ferries arrive and mostly have the whole trail to yourself!

There are also several beautiful bike trails on the interior of the island, though these require dealing with elevation changes and sometimes walking your bike. Among these, I recommend: 1) biking East and West Bluff to see beautiful "cottages" and views; 2) North Bicycle or Arch Rock Bicycle Trail which take you on paved paths through forest and wildflowers; and 3) the very long downhill along Garrison Road starting from Fort Holmes Road down to British Landing (just don't try going up this way!). Enjoy and ride responsibly!

We spent the night on the island (Market Place Inn- wonderful place) and took full advantage of our time there. We brought our own bikes ($11 extra round trip and worth it). We also brought our own picnic foods. We ate one meal out and breakfast was provided at the Inn. It does get crowded near town, but around five the crowds die down as day visitors leave or go into restaurants. During the crowed times we rode our bikes, picnicked, and visited the forts. Later we strolled through town and had a late dinner. We enjoyed wine we brought with us on the lovely patio of the Inn. The next day we went to Jacks and rented a horse and carriage we drove ourselves. It did rain a bit, but the inn had umbrellas for us to borrow. You can do it in a day, but I recommend overnight for the full experience.

It was shoulder-to-shoulder crowded. People bumping into you. The din of noise from the sheer number of people talking OUTDOORS was unbearable. You couldn’t be heard talking to your family walking down the sidewalk. The horse feces made tiny mountains in the pedestrian/bike only streets. The horse urine puddled at the curb. Little rivers of standing urine everywhere. The first thing I said stepping off the ferry was “this place stinks.” The smell of horse sewage competes with the sugary smell of fudge to be the winning odor of Mackinac Island. Lines to rent bicycles were an hour long. Bike rental for four hours for a family of four would cost $250. Carriage tours were $50 a person. The Grand Hotel charges $10 a person to enter the grounds even if you are eating at an on-site restaurant. We did not pay for any of these things because this is not my first day on earth. Lines for every restaurant were over an hour- we finally got 3 mediocre subs with chips and one fountain drink for (with tip) $70. We were there two hours, an hour of that was fighting for the right to purchase overpriced crappy food. I wouldn’t go back if the trip was free. The best part of the day was the ferry ride home. Good things? Clean bathrooms at the visitors center, refillable filtered water station at visitors center, ferry service to and fro was impeccable. Do yourself a favor and go to Martha’s Vineyard for less tourists. If buildings have a legal limit for fire codes, Mackinac should too and it was well over capacity for the safety and comfort of all. Maybe go off-season?

I had heard wonderful things about the island but was disappointed and couldn’t wait to take the ferry back to St. Ignace. Very cramped and crowded. Felt sorry for the horses dragging thousands of pounds of clueless tourists packed like sardines through the dirty streets. My advice, stay on the mainland.

The park is only accessible via bike, foot or horse drawn taxis. There is no camping here and no overnight stays. It’s a day trip only but does have a lot of hiking and bike trails. Don’t expect to see much wildlife, maybe with luck a deer.

Did you know there are more veterinarians on the island than physicians?
Dog friendly (we took the ferry also)! I had to purchase separate Fido ticket for my border collie to ride the horse drawn carriage tour. Well worth it to see the whole island.

Is this my favorite place on earth. Beautiful trails and scenic views. Many little spots where you can hide to find peace from the crowds.

We took the carriage ride & thoroughly enjoyed the ride in the park. We had 2 drivers one going & the 2nd one who was with the 3 horse ride. Both of them were nice & funny. Would recommend to any one to take this carriage ride as they explain everything to you & make it more interesting.

This was my first visit to Mackinac Island. It was a fantastic experience. Patrons must take a ferry to the island from one of two ports. Once on the island, you will find that NO motorized vehicles outside of emergency vehicles are allowed on the island. Patrons must walk, rent bikes, or travel by horse and carriage.

Most of the businesses including bike rentals are up front near the ferry docks. The place itself is just beautiful. One piece of advice for first time visitors....if you are wanting to get something to eat or buy souvenirs, you should DO IT EARLY as most of the places close their doors by 6:00 or 7:00 P.M. A bike ride around the island is 8.2 miles. There are many things to see along the route, including the Arch Rock.

The Grand Hotel, which was featured in the film "Somewhere in Time", sits majestically on a hillside. The decor inside it is beautiful. A whole day is needed to enjoy the island to its fullest. A two-day jaunt would be even better.

Well-maintained, very large state park. Depending on how much you want to see, plan on spending a few hours here! We had a great time hiking in the park.

We had a great time exploring the island. If you stay at the Mission Point Resort--rent the bikes from them. More reasonable than in town and easy to return them.

Mackinac Island State Park is a Hidden Treasure. Most people have never even heard of Mackinac Island, let alone it's Wonderful State Park. Mackinac Island does not allow any Motorvehicles.
Getting areound is either walking, a Bicycle, and Horse and Buggy.
To get to Mackinac Island you must take a Ferry.
The State Park is Beautiful and the day we visited I even was able to swim in the Lake.

We brought our dog along for a hike through the park and around the island. Nice paved path we walked for several miles and could let dog go in the lake periodically. Go out of the downtown area to really see and experience nature. Don’t worry about bikes if you can walk miles. Bikes are expensive to rent so bring your own if you want the biking experience. Stop often to take pictures and enjoy the beauty of nature.

I've been here several times and enjoyed all the usual tourist stuff like the main street, the bike rides, the horse carriage rides, the fort, etc. But let's face it, it's very congested with people. If you want to relax, get away from the town and do some hiking in the interior. If you've been here before and thought there wasn't much else to do, you may discover a whole new reason for visiting. I would say less than 10% of the visitors come out to the trails as I didn't encounter many people. At the time of my visit (Labor Day weekend), I did not encounter any problems with bugs.

The park is beautiful and has beautiful views of the water from just about any spot. We rode our bikes through the park and stopped for photos along the way. We did not go on any of the other paths or explore off the main road, but there were places to stop and explore and they gave a brief history of the native americans from this area.

A group of us spent a day on the island. Rented pedal bikes and rode around the island, we had a blast. Such a peaceful and fun place. The days went very quickly. I would like to go back and spend a night on the island.

You have to take a ferry from Mackinac City or St. Ignace to get to the Island. The Mackinac Bridge takes you to the upper peninsula, not the Island, which confused me at first. There are no motor vehicles on the Island, just carriages and bikes. The manure is cleared regularly. The carriage ride around town was ok, but the one around the island (in the woods, where the Arch rock is, etc.) was fantastic. Our driver was funny and knowledgeable. The shops were typical tourist town. Don't miss this if you're in the area.

This is a fun place to go with lots to see. Ride around the island and through it to experience all it's beauty.

Rent a bike for the day, if you want to see the whole island. If you want to just explore the downtown area be prepared to enjoy a relaxing walk and benches and walls to rest on. On the island there’s a whole different lifestyle.

We went on the horse drawn wagon ride which was fun, informative and wheelchair accessible.
Main Street was very crowded...sometimes hard to get around using a wheelchair.
Only complaint was that there were no family public washrooms...not even at the two tourist information centres...very surprising. More curb cuts needed in the middle of a block.
Thank you to their staff member and Dave at the art museum for their assistance.

Gorgeous lush gardens...took a a beautiful bike ride around the island. I don't normally love to ride bikes, but this was worth it. Good to get out early so as not to run into tons of tourists. Great info on the signs about the Native American history.

We visited July 2nd with our family for the first time in quite a few years. While beautiful, it was hard to appreciate because the crowds were oppressive. We had to walk single file in many areas. Getting into a restaurant was impossible. People were shoulder to shoulder. Making the experience even more frustrating was the huge Viking ship (not a river cruiser) anchored offshore. The island was well over capacity if there is even one.

Mackinac State Park began as the second (2nd) national park after only Yellowstone. Yet, the park was later returned to Michigan to become a state park. There were tons of shops, hotels, and restaurants. The ships carry people into and out of Mackinac Island. Cars continue to be forbidden on this island; this, visitors must travel by foot, by bicycle, or by horse and buggy. There were many roads covered in horse droppings. Marquette Park was green and beautiful with a statue of Marquette, himself. There were many steep hills throughout this island.

We rented bikes and had a great time riding the ring road, through the center of the island to see the cave and arch rock, enjoying some of the back roads through the park. It is a beautiful park without the cars and great to explore the nature of the island.

This park was very nice. It gave us great views of the colors changing on all the trees. Great place to visit.

Mackinac Island is great, but make sure you get off the busy main street and try some of the easy trails in the Park.

Save yourself a lot of travel time and expense and go elsewhere. It is not near other attractions so it takes time to get there. Once there you will find a cute small village with only tee shirt and fudge shops. Very touristy.

Beautiful gardens, nice play area and very green grass. Need more rest rooms, but so much to see. Great place to relax.

The state park was amazing, I recommend everyone do it. It is so serene and quiet and a lot of people don't do it. We hiked the entire island almost twice over 3 days. We maybe missed like 3 trails. But over the entire trip, Inside the trails, we rarely saw anyone walking or biking. Everyone was in carriages and so many trails can't take carriages. I definitely recommend hiking them ALL

Beautiful state park. Very well maintained and wish we had more time to explore. Clean and simply breath taking views.

So the overall experience of visiting an island where people only live (for the most part) half of the year, was incredible. No vehicles on the island, which was awesome. Biggest complaint was the ferry services are way too expensive. Otherwise, great time for vacationers.

This is a must place to visit, it has so much history.
It is so clean and very inexpensive to go. It was a great day out and just looking at the old building learning about how it was to live in the past.
The restaurant on the island are plenty and not that expensive for a captured market of people.

We enjoyed visiting the Mackinac Island State Park attractions, most specifically the fort. Included are re-enactment demonstrations and costumed interpreters. One can wander at their own pace. There is a tea room and other vendor(s) for purchase of drinks and/or food and a shop. Displays are well done and interesting.

The hiking through MSP is wonderful. We were there the last weekend of the season and the weather on Friday and Saturday was perfect cool and partly sunny. The trees fall colors were in full glory. Do not miss the arch!

Whether you take a carriage ride or bike this or walk at this state park is very very clean and beautiful. Lots of history. This time of year the trees are just beautiful it's so very peaceful make sure you get a chance to go up there

It was a perfect family vacation..really enjoyed.
The whole day tour is ideal. Enjoyed walking upto arch rock through the lake side.
Cycling after a long time was really refreshing especially the doubles - tandem bikes are awesome.not much to see in the Fort but refreshing to remember the old veterans. Speciality item - Fudge -tastings are nice ; Spend the whole day..had some pizza lunch and enjoyed some tree climbing with children

The Mackinac Island state park is an example of an extremely well run, major, tourist attraction. There are so many great things to say about this park that I am not sure where to begin.

Let's start with the state park visitor center in town. It is a nice respite when you are wandering around because you can view their exhibits, purchase souvenirs, or stop for a rest. There's a deck at the back of the center with a couple of umbrella tables and chairs. You can sit and enjoy your food and drink there.

The state park has many outdoor exhibits located throughout the island. On the bike route, we stopped at two of the attractions. We also enjoyed a break at the half-way point of the bike tour. British Landing included a restroom stop and more indoor/outdoor nature exhibits. There is ample seating and bike racks.

Tip: The state park visitor center has plenty of clean restrooms. Do not miss Arch Rock and Devil's Kitchen which are on the biking tour of the island.

Lifelong Michigan resident, first visit to the island. For me it was a "got to go at least once" visit. Loved the fort. We went in the off season and it was still busy. Lot of school groups with little visible supervision. I know people who come here every year, but this was enough for me. Likened it to Disney without the rides or imagineers.

When doing research for this summer trip, I stumbled upon this and the Mrs was overjoyed and couldn't wait for this day. We are not bike riders, so be prepared to walk quite a bit. I would suggest a tour of some type just to get off your feet for awhile.
We didn;t get our first choice of lunch place to eat, but the pizza we chose was good.
We took a taxi up to the Grand for ice cream and that was a treat to use that taxi method.
It was a good day overall and would go again if given the chance

It’s hard to tell Where the park starts and stops but the natural beauty of the island is worthy of your time. Rent a bike.

Great views, well managed. Overall great time. Two families and a handful of toddlers had a great time without any meltdowns. Would return and definitely recommend

It was a wonderful autumn day - misting, nippy, falling leaves - and the carriage just clip-clopped along.

My wife and I enjoyed our guided tour and visit of Mackinac Island State Park via a carriage ride in early September 2018. We took a couple of carriage tours of the park and island. Our drivers were very personable and had lots of interesting information to share. We learned that the park was our nation’s second national park and later became the first state park in Michigan. We recommend visiting Mackinac Island State Park by carriage while visiting Mackinac Island.

We visited with family last July and experienced wall to wall people! We are seniors and we would definitely not do it again during the summer months. The Island is quaint, quite beautiful and busy. The main street is very interesting with many shops to browse in. Recommend taking the carriage ride to really enjoy the full Island experience and a taste of the state park. The restaurants can be pricey, if that's a concern, pack a lunch. If you are into chocolate fudge, this is absolutely the place. Many of the original summer homes of the wealthy are now B&B's and have kept their original charm. Many visitors rent bicycles to tour the island which allows them to set their own schedules. Be certain to wear comfortable walking shoes, there is a lot of walking. As for us, we definitely will be returning in the fall, we hear the colors are absolutely beautiful. Enjoy

We enjoyed our visit, but limited things to do on the island. Bike or carriage ride, shopping, hiking, the fort and butterfly attraction. Worth the trip for a day, but would have a hard time keeping busy more than 2 days, unless you simply want to just unplug.

This island is as scenic as it gets. Take the bicycle ride around the island to discover the park. Stop to pictures or just enjoy the view. Take your time and don't rush it...

Nice, always pricey! But the Jamacians who work there are always welcoming and friendly! They cook the food and I could tell they add a little bit of spice and make it more tasty than the normal bland Michigan food. We ate at the Island Spice Pizza- very good (separate review). We rented bikes, very good experience. Unfortunately the island was closed off past Arch Rock in that direction so we had to go back and then around the other way to where the construction cut off again so we couldn't bike around the whole island. A lovely place. It's like being in another world and another time. But without all the historical drama. I do wish some of the attractions were free- like the butterfly house and the grand hotel (which is basically a museum if you're just looking around inside and not staying there overnight). Last time I checked 1 night at the Grand was over $1000. Yikes

The state park has wonderful vistas, great explanations of the past history in multiple buildings and helpful rangers. This is a high point of any visit to the island.

We arrived just as tourist season is getting into full swing. The island is beautiful with historical significance. While worth seeing, it is overcrowded and overpriced. The Island doesn’t allow cars so travel to the Island is by ferry. Travel on the Island is by walking, bicycle or horse drawn carriage.

There’s so much to see and do. Whether you ride a bike, walk or take a carriage. A number of historical locations. A great marina and Main Street holds a lot of stores and places for food. The next street has a number of historical locations. All worth seeing as well as the fort. There’s a number of hotels and lodging locations. The ferry over is easy. to take. Only thing I wish they would put poop bags on the horses. With so many walking and biking you are bound to step or ride through some. No cars are allowed which was great, but bikes are everywhere so have to watch out for those. Once you get away from the touristy part it’s very peaceful. Lots of beautiful flowers as well !!

We had a lovely group carriage ride through the park. We had a very knowledgable guide willing to discuss both the history of the Island and what it is like to live on the island now. I was on a Starr Bus Tour and they arranged for the carriage ride. We went from the Inn on Macinac to the Grand Hotel with a lovely long ride around the Island and through the Park. It is beautiful

We took a tour from downtown to various places and through the park. It stopped and we could walk to Arch Rock. Beautiful tour.

I first went to Mackinac Island when I was 5 years old and I have been hooked ever since! If you are a history buff or just enjoy taking a peek back in time this is the place for you. No cars are allowed so transportation consists of horses, bikes or your feet! If you are a hiker or biker, you will also enjoy the island as there are many paved and unpaved trails squirreling throughout the area. If you prefer to peruse quaint shops, you will then find the island to your liking as there are many lining Main Street including Doud's, America's oldest family-run grocery store. If you are fond of nature and solitude, just worm your way into the north side of the island where there is less foot traffic and lovely paths to meander along. In my opinion, there is something on the island for everyone to enjoy!

I love Mackinac Island. I came here as a kid and have wonderful memories. It’s fun to stay on the Island and there are two main hotels. The Grand Hotel where most of the movie “Somewhere in Time” was filmed. And the one I stayed at is the Mission Point Resort, which I got through a Groupon.

You catch a ferry in Mackinac City using either Shepler’s or Star Line. You can bring your bike if you want. There are no cars allowed on the Island. You either take a carriage ride, ride your bike or walk once you get to the island. We took the Shepler’s ferry and paid extra for premium parking overnight. It costs $25 a day and your car is right where you get off the ferry. Otherwise you can park a few blocks away and pay $5 a day for overnight parking and I believe they provide a shuttle service. The hotels provide luggage transfer service for $12 and they bring it right from the ferry to your room.

You can catch tours on a horse and carriage ride and they will take you by all of the main tourist spots on the island. Or just rent a bike and do your own exploring. We rented 2 bikes for 1/2 a day for a total of $52 for multi-speed bikes that worked great. We stopped by the Grand Hotel and went in for a tour. Normally it’s $10 to go in but since this was so early in the season they did not charge us.

every summer: bike all the way around, it is a real treat! Stop for a treat half way: deep fried pickles, or maybe some ice cream....

This is my fourth visit! The bicycling around the island is my favorite activity. A little over 8 miles. Did it twice. The church is St. Anne’s. Very touristy. I’d like to visit again in the fall when it’s not so busy.

We flew our small plane to KMCD. Very small and friendly airport. Called ahead for horse taxi and they met us there as we arrived. Reasonable taxi prices. Beautiful and scenic park.

Take the carriage tour, you won’t regret it. Got to see most of it and make some stops along the way. The carriage drivers are great tour guides. Great way to see the whole island and learn about it’s history.

We hiked several of the trails, thoroughly enjoying this well-maintained park.Some of the trails are steep or the street leading to them is steep.Be prepared.

The island was a cool place to visit. Very quaint and scenic. The most impressive thing is theres no horse poop in the streets. Lol. September is a great time to visit, as most of the island will be closing in October. The weather is great, shops offering deals n it's not crowded. Take your passport, only 45 mins from Canada

We were able to be part of the history of this location. Witnessing the reenactments of various events of the time.

My favorite spot in Michigan is along the Tranquil Bluff trail about .3 mile north of Arch Rock. I could sit in that bench all day! Also, the best bike ride is near there...Leslie Ave. It's all paved and it's up and down like a rollercoaster. Quiet and peaceful in the inner island.

This is one of my favorite places. I've been a few times as a child/young adult, and have always wanted to be here for the Lilac Festival (my favorite flower) so this past June I came with my husband, kids as well as my mom and sister.

To get the obvious out of the way - yes, it is touristy, can be crowded and some things are more expensive. I personally think it is worth it to save up and stay in one of the nice inns/hotels on the island for a few days as that gives you some breathing room and it's also nice to enjoy the island in the morning/evening when the hordes of day trippers aren't there. We also were able to eat leftovers/quick meals which saved some money. My son is sensitive to smells and a few times noticed the horse smell, but otherwise it wasn't that bad. They are pretty responsive to cleaning it up.

Some of my favorite things to do are bike around the island (gorgeous), hike to Arch Rock, hike around the bluffs near the fort and Mission Point and get views of the Bridge. If you come in May/June the lilacs are AMAZING. There are 200 varieties all over the island. There are also a lot of interesting historic exhibits as this island was an intersection of Native, French, British and American cultures. The Fort is worth visiting. The Butterfly House is a nice rainy day activity. The Grand Hotel and its secret garden are worth a visit.

Food wise, it is pricy and I did find most of the menus fairly similar and this is not what I would consider a foodie destination, but if you like whitefish that is fantastic here. There is also a LOT of fudge (which, ironically, I don't really like, except in ice cream!) so try at least a sample!

If you can go off peak, it will probably be a calmer experience.

Unique and worth a visit. It's still off season in early May so a little cool. The bike ride around the island is a great experience, highly recommend. We followed the bike ride with lunch at the Pink Pony and a tour of the fort. The fort gives a hint of how basic life was for soldiers there while the base was open. We had just a day trip but an overnight stay might be fun. Hubbub over electric bikes seems unfounded, we saw lots of electric bikes and no enforcement. So much horse poop to avoid on the roads. Taking care of horses must be big business on this island. I suppose they clean the streets over night or you'd be knee deep in the stuff.

The island has been affected by COVID just like other places.

Lack of help or incidences of COVID had several places shut down before they normally do

Pink pony - Closed
Sea Biscuit - Closed
Millies - Closed

Just to name a few. Be prepared to wait for restaurants for all meals.

Still gorgeous on the island, but a traveler should have the proper expectation to make their visit more enjoyable.

The ferry did not have social distancing marked out, yes we were outside but still should and no disinfecting between unloading and loading. Again just be aware.

We had beautiful weather for visiting the Island. A lot of people and people activity, a little overwhelming. The fort was impressive. I expected more costumed staff and demonstrations. The buildings were very well kept. We didn't venture out of the little city. We did enjoy the art museum, it was a nice respite from the hub-bub of activity. I do regret not taking a carriage tour. Maybe another visit?

A beautiful island with no motorised vehicle. Lake Huron is breathtaking at sunset. The holiday starts as soon as you board the ferry. The horse carriage ride is a must do and bicycling around the island.

The live demonstrations are excellent and the Fort is well maintained. It's one of the best views on the island.

Great to be able to bike around and in and out of the Park...So many things to see and do that it takes longer than a day to do it all.

I was able to explore the Arch with my daughters 8th grade class and it was so much fun and they created memories that they will never forget. Beautiful day with beautiful kids!

Our tour of the state park was informative and we loved traveling around the island in a horse drawn carriage. Skull Cave and Arch Rock should not be missed. Our driver was funny and kept us laughing.

A beautiful place and great place to be in the summer. We enjoyed the scenery in the more remote areas. I would recommend touring by bicycle. My wife and I enjoyed the tandem bike around the island with stops along the way. Hiking is enjoyable. the folks at the bicycle rental were friendly and helpful. But

Mackinac Island was truly a treasure. Such a unique community and so friendly every where we went. We spent the day touring the whole island and loved every minute of our time there. Surprised to learn that there are hundreds of residents who live and work there. Everything about our day trip was wonderful. A must see for everybody. And the best part was being somewhere where cars are not allowed.

One of the most beautiful places in Michigan with different shades from spring to fall.No cars.. just horse rides, bikes pedestrians and horse carriages.

This was our first visit to Mackinac Island. We took the Sheplers Ferry to the island. The Grand Hotel was beautiful with all the flowers in bloom. The Horse drawn Carriages were fun to see traveling the streets. Many bicycles also were a way to move around the island. Great experience!!

The island is so well maintained - horse carriages look new, flowers are gorgeous, homes are exquisite, and the Main Street reminds me to Disney World!! The smell of fudge is everywhere and we thoroughly enjoyed the flat bike ride around the island!!

Carriage tour through the park this early in the season was fun, but left me wanting more. I want to come back in season when trees have their leaves. Great place to hike and be one with nature!

I’ve been coming to Mackinac my entire life so far with my family, and it is safe to say that I will be coming back yearly! Mackinac Island is a place like no other. Every time we come up, it feels like a new experience and never gets old. We take Sheplers Ferry, and the staff is amazing, quick and up to par on information. The boat ride is always smooth, and quick. My Dad and I love going up in the middle of the island to explore on our bikes each year, and we could do it for hours, while my mom and sister shop in the downtown area. I can’t wait to return this year in a few weeks!

We’ve been wanting to come here for years! We only had one day, but we made the most of it and definitely intend to return. Such a peaceful way to spend a day!

We took the boat ferry from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island. (The boat trip alone was a fun adventure). We walked all around the island. Fort Mackinac is a must see- lots of history! We walked near the horse stables & beautiful golf course as well as the Grand Hotel. So much to see there- lots of shops & eateries. The famous fudge=delicious! Bike rentals are abundant as well as all of the carriage rides. I was intrigued just hearing & reading of why there are NO automobiles on the island . I would go there again! I purchased a Warm souvenir bright yellow wind-water-repellent jacket .

We love Mackinaw Island. Our 3rd trip on July 4th was a very bad experience. The Island required face masks but they weren't enforcing it. It was extremely 🔥 hot with very few water/pop machines. We waited in lines for food/drinks for 1.5 hours each time as you had to be put on a list. Our 14 yr old daughter had what appeared to be heat exhaustion and passed out having a seizure. She was airlifted to Grand Rapids without either of us on board all because the Nurse reported a smell on my Husband. We had to leave the Island,pack up camp,than head for Grand Rapids the whole while our daughter was alone. The Nurse never reported to the Hospital that our daughter would be going alone. So on our drive to Grand Rapids their hospitals Social Worker called us a couple of times wondering where we were. This Nurse on the Island made us look bad instead of informing why we werent on the plane. Now mind you its a 3.5/4.00 hour car drive. This whole experience has infuriated my entire family. The Hospital had to wait for us to arrive. I must say Mitch the manager of the Grand Hotel was the most helpful. My husband & I have emailed the Island to talk about what happened to NO avail.

Great wooded park, best seen by bike or horse. Due to the hill to get there, not advisable to walk unless you are in fair shape.

Such a beautiful place to spend a couple days. Weather riding the 8.5 miles on a bike around the perimeter of the island or taking a carriage ride up to Fort Holmes (highly recommend Sam if you can get him), It’s very easy to relax and have a good time here

Mackinac has experienced a huge change over the forty years since i began visiting regularly. Real estate prices have increased 8-10x. The hotels and restaurants have become some of the best in the country. The downtown area remains a tourist oriented experience, but the track souvenir shop is rapidly disappearing.

The State Park is beautifully maintained with historical sites and interpretations to help you understand the importance of the straits area in development of our country.

The forest which makes up 90% of the parks area is easily accessible and worth the time to bike or hike, if you have the legs for it. I spend 10-15 days on the island each year and always find something new to enjoy.

We brought our bicycles to the island and biked the circumference road. Along the way there were little pull overs and informational stands about the history and culture of the native tribes that originally inhabited the area.

Brilliant!! I can not say enough Great Things about this Tour and Gem of an Island
Should be on Everyone’s Bucket List
The Grand Hotel Carriage Museum is not to be missed !!!

So much of this island is devoted to the state park, and it's absolutely worth a visit. When you leave town the first few miles are crowded for hiking and biking (really the trails on the way to arch rock), but as soon as you go a bit further the trails are nearly deserted. There are lots of nice wooded trails (with surprisingly few mosquitos in June) with a handful of nice vistas on the way. If you keep hiking you'll run across several landmarks like Sugarloaf Rock, one of the forts, or an overlook. If you're taking the ferry over to the island (which is a great idea), it's definitely worth a few hours to dedicate to hiking through the park.

We've been to the Island many many times, but this year we went in mid May. It's the perfect time to visit. We took our own bikes and biked the 8.2 miles and only saw 2 other riders. No wait times in restaurants, no unruly crowds, it was honestly like when the last ferry left 24/7... perfect

The Island does a fantastic job of maintaining this park. The views are wonderful an many places to stop and take it all in.

Although the full extent of the park can best be seen by bike, you can cover a lot on foot, horseback and some of it via carriage tour. Starting at the harbor, the park extends well back into the island. It contains Fort Mackinac, a small military cemetery and acres of trees and trails. If you are only on the island on a day trip, you will be best served to explore the area around the fort. However, if you are on the island for several days, explore to your heart's content.

Take a step back in time. No cars allowed, only horses, bicycles and in the winter, snowmobiles.
The park is a beautiful coastlines, sandy beaches and amazing sunrise and sunsets.
there is nothing else quite like it. Take a bike ride around the island. 8.2 miles of majestic beauty. crytal clear streams and lake shore just waiting to be discovered. The island has a deep Native American History. one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan. There are many hotels, bed and breakfast and Inns to stay at. The old Victorian homes are just magnificent. a must see!

The park includes so many different attractions, so it should not be even shown as the single attraction.
Because I've already review few things being in this Park, I will focus on British Landing and Nature Center nearby.
Great spot to take a break during the biking on the Island.
Few pictures with cannon, snack, drink and ready to go. But you can stay longer!
There is also a nature center nearby, you can learn about vegetation in the area.
Valuable info for every tourist visiting the Island, nicely displayed.
I recommend it.
RomanP

The Island is amazing. No cars allowed, only horses. We enjoyed the fort, the Arch, the food, the shops. Would recommend visiting for a few days!

Third trip to the Island .. all at different seasons of life…from young honeymooners, middle aged adults, now seniors on a multigenerational day trip. Very crowded in July, cruise ships in port, waits everywhere. The biggest disappointment was the banning of e-bikes except for class 1 with a disability as my husband and I both have e-bikes and planned to ride with our daughter and grands around the Island…a trip we did 51 years ago on our honeymoon. He can no longer walk distances but rides his e-bike daily. Our trip was already planned and ferry to take the bikes paid when we found this law and decided to go but were not able to join the rest of the family on the bike ride or even go to the Fort as he could not walk up the hill to the entry. Unfortunate law in an attempt to maintain the history of the Island at the detriment to those who have mobility issues.

We’ve been visiting this island for more than ten years. It’s a very unique place with shops, restaurants, and fudge! Lots of walking or biking!

We were on the Island the first full week of October for two days. We rode our bikes around the Island. We had a lot of fun just biking all the paths we could find. The color was fantastic. Some of the shops were already closed along with some of the restaurants. We still found things to do

This review is for Mackinac Island. In general it was pretty good. However, there are so many people especially when the cruise ships come in. People on the bike trails don't follow the rules and you can no longer pay a fee to swim at the Grand Hotel if you are not staying there. You used to be able to when it was family owned. Now it has new owners who have renovated it and you can only swim there if you are staying at the hotel. However they do still let you pay a fee to walk on the porch and roam around the hotel and gardens.

The park sits at the base of the mountain, though a small " hill", of Mackinac Fort. The vibrant green grass and foliage give the bright white of the fort a brilliant glow in the sun. There are benches to relax on as one may look out over the harbor which is a great place for reflection and photography.

My wife has always wanted to go to Mackinac Island and see the Grand Hotel. We did it and other than the hotel, which you pay $12 each just to walk around, the island was slightly disappointing. There were lots of people coming off different ferries and flooding the town. There were about 15 fudge shops and the rest seemed to sell souvenirs. There were restaurants too. The carriage ride was okay. Would not return, been there done it.

I wanted to come here because I'm a Michigander and it seemed like I should be able to say yeah I've been there. That being said holy cow is it a tourist trap. You get off the ferry and it's so crowded you would think your in New York City! They are everywhere! Too many people.

Now to be fair there are some excellent things to see and do. From the fort to arch rock. From the Grand Hotel to a butterfly house. From amazing restaurants to amazing fudge and Ice Cream. From Carriage rides to horseback riding to bike riding. To amazing shops to a fun ferry ride.

Overall to me and to me alone this was a 3 star experience. Mostly do to too many people. Would I return? No! Did I say too many people. Well if not there are too many people.

Easy to grab food at Dowd's and eat in the park. Very spacious and easy to social distance. Beautifully maintained.

Very beautiful spot with easy trails. We loved Arch rock and watching the horses and carriages. Glad this land is conserved!

Walking around the state park on Mackinac island is a must. Beautiful area with amazing views! I suggest renting a bike for a couple hours to bike around the whole island and then walk around on the interior.

Mackinac island is beautiful! Rent a bike and tour the island and park or take a carriage tour. From arch rock to the trails, there is much to see.

We brought our own bikes which saved us lot's of $$$ and I suggest you do bring a bike if you have one. Costs to rent are very high ($55 & up per day, not overnight) and you WILL use them. Ferry round trip for a bike is $12 (includes island license and transport). We rode the full 8 mile paved bike/walk trail around the island in May and had cool, clear weather which was perfect for looking out over the water and celebrating Spring! Definitely take your bike around the park!

A very relaxed place to visit, seeing most of the park in horse drawn carriage made it very doable. There was so much history to learn about. Very happy we made the visit.

Our trip to Mackinac Island State Park was fun, especially the bike ride around the island. We tried bike riding the interior but it was too hilly and steep for us. The main part of the town was fine, a lot of shops and some restaurants. A lot of horse drawn carriages. Just be careful where you step or ride your bike! It was interesting to see a place that had no automobiles.

It's nice to go back in time and see certain reality of the pass. Don't try to cross in front of the horse and buggy, few people make this mistake. We did a day trip, we didn't see half the things. On a longer trip, bringing or renting a bike would be a great idea.

This island is so pretty and kept up really well, we tried the horse taxi and really enjoyed the ride!

Rode bikes and hiked all around the state park - wonderful history and views - excellent experience of the island

Wished we rented a bike to get around, we just walked. We stopped at the Grand Hotel and spent the most time here looking around, fabulous! Walked to arch rock, skull cave, kind of disappointing. There are so many horse carriages, it gets annoying. We walked everywhere and had to get over for the horses and try to avoid all the horse droppings! When we got back to the Main Street I was surprised at the amount of people! I asked my husband if we were in Disney world! We were here 4 hours and that was enough, too busy. Maybe its quieter at different times. I did stop in an old church that a piano player and flutist were playing, it was beautiful.

Our trip to Mackinaw Island was a great experience. No cars are allowed so you walk, bike or relay on horse power(🐴)to get around. Very laid back and relaxing. Great restaurants and shopping in the downtown area. Nice to bike around the island. Highly recommend a visit.

I enjoyed the ride over on the ferry but was overwhelmed with the amount of people. We found our way to the fort and enjoyed the amazing views from there of Lake Huron. We walked the trails to arch rock, again bustling with crowds of sightseers. We hiked on to Fort Holmes. The trails were saturated in horse droppings so you really want to stay on the bike trails if at all possible. I love the history of the island and the amazing views.

Had an excellent time biking around the island and seeing the sites. I would highly recommend bringing your own bike. We spent the afternoon biking around on our own time (15 miles) on a lovely Summer day enjoying the smell of lilacs throughout the island.

Beautiful day trip to explore, and see not only the lovely State park, but the ferry ride to the island was lovely, though I recommend going in warmer weather, as much of the island is closed down in the winter months, though on the other hand, The Grand Hotel stands as a lovely architectural reminder of times gone by. Perfect trip for couples, families, or friends.

The grounds are beautiful and the space is wide open for children to run and play. Adults will enjoy relaxing there as well...either on a bench, a picnic table or sitting in the grass.

Our hotel offered a package deal on 4 attractions - which equated to about $17.00 per each. We took the 2-part carriage ride 1st to acclimate to the island. Both parts intertwined the city & park into the journeys. You will hear history, fun facts & folklore from the guides, who are mainly college students on their summer jobs. We had excellent guides on both halves and I didn’t mind tipping them as they went above & beyond to be friendly. The park had many wildflowers pointed out by our guide, which brought out more Indian folklore stories.

It is an untouched beauty. Quiet, peaceful and relaxing. There are paved roads for bikes as well as countless walking trails.

Beautiful location and of course unique without the cars, but it is just a cash grab and is very unfriendly to anyone on a budget. You feel out of place very quickly. Starting with the ferry service down to everything at the island. I had initially planned on going for two days ferry (from the main land to the island twice) but I couldn't stomach paying for ferry service for two days at over $75 per day. I won't ever bring the kids as we would pay $200 just to get to the island. The whole thing is a tourist trap and lacks authenticity when you feel like everyone wants to peel your wallet open. I hadn't been to the island since a teenager and I am a lifelong Michigander, but I won't be going back.

Beautiful trees and scenery . Take a tranquil bike ride or an informative carriage ride. You can just take a LONG walk too.

Unique ROck formation. The horse and buggy ride that brought us to the Arch was equally a Must. Have your cameras ready.

This is where the Carriage Tours take you and you see lots of trees. Arch Rock is the only point of interest that we saw.

A must when you visit Mackinaw Island is renting a bicycle and riding the perimeter of the island. The water is crystal blue! There are many rest stops along the road. Approximately half way around is a snack stop - that serves ice cream!

A visitor can access the park only by foot, bike, or drawn carriage since automobiles are not permitted on the island. Among the interesting places to visit are three old cemeteries (each with a story), collection of carriages and buggies, vista views of rock formations (including arch rock) and of two great lakes (Huron and Michigan), a fort, and scenes below of sail boats. A summer home for the Governor of Michigan is also part of the park. The most striking part of my visit was enjoying thousands upon thousands of colorful flowers. Many families with small children can be seen in the park.

Another item on our ‘bucket list’ checked off. We loved the time spent on the island…from the Shepler Ferry ride out to the return ride. We highly recommend.

And, we still didn’t see it all. It was sos cold but so enjoyable and such beautiful sights. Explore the park, it is incredible.

Two different companies offer ferries to the island. There are the usual tourist shops, lots of fudge shops ( wish they sold smaller pieces 🤔), eateries full up at meal time. There are carriages, bike rentals, and lots of opportunities for just plain walking. Lots of places to stay and the ferries have no problem with accompanying luggage. A beautiful place.

We visited with our Guide, on Bicycles, Based out of the Grand Hotel. It was quiet, and tranquil, we took a short nap while our Guide set out our Picnic Lunch.

We were in the area mainly for a swimming event my husband was participating in. My teen daughter (and extended family members) took a day trip across on the ferry to experience the much heard about Mackinac Island. Well, apparently we weren't the only ones with this idea. The first words out of my daughter's mouth when we disembarked from the ferry were "I feel like I'm at Disney World". Whether her comment was about the buildings looking like Main Street in Magic Kingdom or the crowds, the statement was appropriate. I made a hasty retreat to get out of the crowd past the stores. Once past the hectic shopping area full of inconsiderate bikers and horse drawn carriages we could enjoy the beauty of the island. The crystal clear water, views to the mainland, etc. Our main goal was to see the history hotel on the island. We missed the turn off in my haste and ended up coming to the hotel after climbing many stairs through the woods. This was fine and the exercise allow space for ice cream later :) The hotel is nice, main attraction is the large wrap around porch. If you plan to visit this island, do so off season otherwise it is hard to enjoy. For me, it was too crowded and I was unable to enjoy it like I had hoped too.

Tour by a very knowledgeable Park employee dressed in the appropriate uniform was very interesting. Did not realize how important this location was in controlling commerce on the Great Lakes.

This was so beautiful! We enjoyed a carriage ride into the state park, biking around the island and part of the state park, and hiking into the state park up to the crack in the island, too! I think the hiking and biking might have been our favorite parts of our stay.

To get the crack, we followed Troop 327's instructions (along with Google to Cave of the Woods, which is right nearby the crack. Google currently says the cave is "closed," but we don't know what that meant as you can just go and look at it):

"From the Barracks: Go left on the road behind the Barracks to its end and continue on British Landing Road. Pass the airport, go left on State Road, and take a dirt trail on the left."

Be aware that there is lots of poison ivy on the island. It doesn't grow much where we live, but thanks to Google, we were able to easily know what to watch out for!

We got our bikes from both Ryba's and Mackinac Island Bike Shop. Both shops have good bikes, but I'd say Ryba's is a little cheaper. However, Ryba's doesn't have adult trikes, which was a must for someone recovering from two sprained ankles (me).

If you are looking for a place to experience charm and the outdoors all in one then you have to Visit Mackinac Island. Wether you are a nature enthusiast, like to shop or want to just sit back with a good drink in hand and enjoy the view the island will send you home satisfied and refreshed. And don’t forget the fudge!

Beautiful Island. We will be back.. I highly recommend biking the Island. Mornings are beautiful. Book a sunset cruise with Sip and sail!

Feel bad for the horses ,they seem tired and worn out, they look like they struggling on steep hills.

Apparently, this place is insane with tourists in the height of summer. I would not recommend coming then. I came just before Labor Day and it was just fine. There were a lot of people when I got off the ferry but mostly that's around the 'downtown' area. As soon as you leave that area the population drops dramatically. I rented a bike for the day and I advise you do the same. Get one with multi speeds as there are hills. Also, bring along a rain jacket as you never know what weather might pop up. Make sure you get a map. The bike places will give you one with your bike. It plainly points out all the roads and trails on the island. I preferred to tackle all the higher, inner trails first. There are plenty of sites and stops up there: the cemetery, the fort, the arch, the airport, the butterfly house, etc. Then I lazily biked the outer loop a couple of times. I thoroughly enjoyed that. I saved all the closer-in spots near the ferry for walking, for after I turned my bike in for the day. After biking I sampled some fudge, perused some T-shirts and hats, and toured the grounds and drive to the Grand Hotel. It's a beautiful place quaint place, and I suspected Jessica Fletcher might join me in a bike ride at any minute

The buildings on market Street are interesting from a historical perspective. There are folks in period costumes very willing to have conversations. Had a great talk with the blacksmith.

If you want to get away from the hustle in the bustle of the shopping, try this.

This island is absolutely beautiful! It has been way too commercialized and way too many people. It's still definitely worth spending the day there.Here is the number one problem and they know it.There are no cars on the island and that makes it awesome. Everyone gets around by walking or bicycle.I asked 3 times before we ever went over if we were allowed our ebikes.. We were told yes every time. we paid for them to get on the ferry and we paid for the permit to have them on the island. The staff actually loads them onto the ferry.They are definitely not welcome and we were shamed on more than one occasion. We would have never brought them or paid to bring them over. We were told by police that City officials Want anyone arrested on an ebike. It's a Controversy they need to figure out and not put paying tourists in a horrible situation. It felt like bait and switch

This is a beautiful state park. I highly recommend that you visit it whether it be walking or bicycle riding.

Overall a great place to visit. The road was closed so we weren’t able to go all the way around the island. The reason I gave it a 4 instead of a 5 was that none of the public restrooms had a place to fill water bottles, which you would typically expect to have for a state park. It might not sound like a big deal, but on a hot day it’s easy to go through a ton of water. Even with each of our party members having 3 bottles of water we had to refill them at restaurants twice. Also, there is a small sign by the spring that says you can’t drink the water but it is a bit tucked away.

Enough about water, though…trails were well maintained but quite busy unless you are off the main ones, which are the only ones with clear signage. I would recommend taking the less traveled trails if you need an escape from the crowds; the island isn’t all that big so it’s sometimes worth the extra 1/4 mile of walking.

Well maintained, beautiful, fantastic fresh air, with foliage & wild flowers not seen in decades due to land expansion elsewhere.

Mackinac City (restaurants, shopping, lodging), Harrisonville is a little farther inside the island where the locals and workers live, and the western side of the island (think Grand Hotel and Stonecliffe area) as well as the airport is not a part of the Park. Mackinac Island State Park encompasses the rest of the island. You can access most of the park for free by just walking wherever you want to go but Fort Mackinac and the historic houses downtown require an entrance fee. The Governor's summer residence is inside the park but is free but only open on certain Wednesdays(?) when the governor is not in residence.

Okay, now onto the park. Since we stayed on the island for a few days, we walked everywhere. There are trails, bike roads, and roads for the horses and carriages. Once we were out from the town proper, we rarely saw anyone else. The scenery is okay (not stunning) the best overlook in my opinion was Arch Rock, but it was so peaceful. We saw Cave in the Woods, Crack-in-the-Island, Sugarloaf, Fort Holmes, Lookout Point, and Sunset Rock while we were meandering around the island. I wouldn't hike out to any of these just to see them but we were out there to get away from the daily crowds. St. Anne's Cem., Mackinac Island Cem., and the Post Cem. are all in the middle of the island and there is some history attached to them which we found interesting. One of which is that Post Cem. on Mackinac Island is one of only five places in the world that the American flag is always flown at half mast. Now your assignment is to find why and to uncover the other four. Good luck!

Me and my family could’ve stayed on Mackinac island forever! The views were amazing and there were so many things to do. My family will definitely be taking another vacation to this place soon!!

Beautiful island but what a tourist trap! The prices for tours, rentals and restaurants are overpriced! Ridiculous that private carriages are $200 an hour per person.... That's top 1% folks... Plus charging a 3% surcharge using credit cards is another price gouging and hurts the tips of the true hard workers on the island.

The uniqueness of the island is worth the trip, but my suggestion is bring lots of cash, your own bikes and stay at hotels off the island.

The island is beautiful. I recommend renting or bringing your bike to ride around it and also go up through the center of the island. Make sure you check out Arch Rock, Fort Holmes, Sugar Loaf, British Landing, Fort Mackinac, The Grand, and any other little pull off you come to. We had a great time exploring the island/Park.
On our last trip there, we did a horse and wagon tour, which was also good, but the bikes were more fun (if you're able).

If you are a nature lover take the tour of Mackinac State Park. It is long ride by horse drawn carriage through wooded areas. The driver of the carriage acks as the tour guide. If I ever go back to the Island I would go again. The day of our tour was cold and rainy so we did not get out of the carriage even to take a picture.

We drove down while in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It is a short and easy drive, under an hour. It was a very nice drive, the speed limit on the U.S. highway was 75 mph, unlike ours, in Canada, which are 60 mph (100kph). The highway was very smooth and clean all the way to St. Ignace.
It is just a short ferry ride across to the island. The island is beautiful and so peaceful this time of year. I was told it can get extremely busy in the summer months. The only methods of transport on the island are bicycles, horse or by foot. I suggest taking a horse and carriage tour of the island, to get a good perspective of the major points of the island. We had a great time, even though it was cold and rainy.
The history is everywhere and the architecture is incredible. This is definitely worth the drive if your in the area.

Beautiful park with lots of history and natural beauty. We saw the park via a carriage tour. You can also walk through and bike through the park as well. Many stops throughout the tour such as arch rock and other historical sites and grave yards.

We visited Sept 1st long weekend. Yes, the main part of town smells like horse and poop even though they are diligent about cleaning it up. I have allergies and needed to take meds for it. However, avoid the horses and crowds and rent a bike. Most are about $10/hr up to $60 for the day. Give yourself about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs to bike the entire island (8 miles). It only took us 1 1/2 hrs and we were only charged that amount of time for the rentals. The road around is pretty flat so makes for an easy ride. My suggestion is to go around the island in the west direction or inside lane. There were very few going that direction so that side of the road is less crowded (as you have to ride just as you would in a car, on the right side). You also see the Arch rock from that direction and might miss it if starting Eastward as it's quite high up. However, you are against the wind and it's a bit chilly on the far end of the island in the shade.
We then dropped off our bikes and walked up to the Grand Hotel. If you can't do hills, I wouldn't recommend biking to the hotel. Walking is easier. It's $10 to enter the hotel. There is a large second floor balcony where you can order a drink and enjoy the beautiful views.

Had a great time here, enjoyed the scenery and the weather was great,,, Got to wade in the water and little and it was like ice..

Wonderful visit to a tourist centered area. Lots of history to see and hear. We rented a bicycle built for two and road the outside road around the island. This road has many stops with historical signs and other landmarks. Picnic tables are also numerous. There are many activities including shopping, buggy rides, horseback rides and bikes. E-bikes are only allowed for physically impaired. The must do in the shopping area is to try the Fudge! So many different kinds. You can sample a few to help with your selection. Best time to go is late September or early October. All the shops begin sales to reduce stock before closing for the season.

Finding a spot away from summer heat and humidity is just waiting for you in this “Island Without Cars “
In Michigan. Mackinac Island is on Lake Huron and had much charm and cool relaxing summer temperatures. Getting around by bike, horse and carriage, or foot makes for a pleasant departure from everyday routines. Many good places to stay and restaurants too.

The best part of the island is the diverse ways it can put a smile on your face. Whether you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a tourist retail district, history, or the scenic beauty of a state park, the island can accommodate your fancy.

Since the island is horses, bikes, and foot traffic we were still surprised how many bikes are used. Many places to bike/walk and see.

This was a class field trip, and was a dream come true to visit! since the first time I ever had Mackinac fudge as a kid I wanted to come, which is almost 30 years ago lol. They have a ton of shops and when landmarks to see from Arch Rock to Fort Mackinac to the Mayor's summer "cottage" to Skull Cave, from fudge shops to pizza parlors, from clothing boutiques to souvenir shops. The island is roughly 3 miles across and you can only walk, bike, ride a horsedrawn carriage or snowmobile, as cars aren't allowed. There is a ton of forestry and plant life, which makes for great hiking. This island is full of history at just about every turn. Restrooms are sparse along the carriage ride except in the attractions, but we only stopped at a couple so make sure you do your business before it starts. There are plenty of photo opportunities and souvenir/gift options, so be sure to get what you can. This is an absolutely amazing island that is a jewel in our state. HIGHLY highly recommend! I will definitely be coming with just my family so I can see more on the island.

We enjoyed our carriage ride through the state park. We saw several people walking. There are restrooms at the stables and also when you stop to see the Rock Arch. Our carriage driver was humorous and provide interesting information as we rode.

If you go to Mackinaw Island and don’t get up into the state park and away from main street and the fudge stores you will miss out on the true beauty of the island.

First time? Get one of the maps of the island showing the bike paths and go up into the center of the island. Whether you are walking or riding a bike (or horse) the trails through the park are fabulous.

Go off the main paths and check out the natural fun like the crack in the island or some or the small caves as well as the newly restored fort at the top of the island. If there was a ‘Best Outhouse’ contest for state parks, the one at Ft. Holmes would definitely win.

The walking paths on the east side of the island are wonderful and give you great views of the lake. There are dirt paths as well as paved trail options. Even if you used the paved paths you’ll have options to walk in just off the pavement to see great water views.

Trip planner:
Pay for ferry , OVER pay to rent bike , pay for carriage ride , OVERpay for room , OVERpay for food and drink. Buy fudge, Buy more fudge , OVERpay for museum, Enjoy a**holes to elbows crowding . Pay for ferry to get the Phlukk off the island.
Breathe sigh of relief that you will never to visit fudgyville island again .

I recently visited Mackinac Island again on a Friday when on my recent trip to the U.P. I absolutely love Mackinac Island, and it is a very unique place to visit. It is so cool that motor vehicles are not allowed on the island, and the only modes of transportation are by foot, by bike, or by horseback. I enjoyed walking around the island again, and this is any easy walk (about 8.2 miles around the perimeter of the island). I had a bad accident with a bike when I was younger, so I have not gotten back on a bike since, but I find walking around the island to be a good alternative. It is also neat to look at some of the other points of interest further inland, such as the Arch Rock formation. I always make sure to take along plenty of water and other essentials for my walk around the island. I enjoyed stopping a few times to sit and take in the scenery at various beaches, etc. around the island. It was a beautiful day when I visited, too, with sunshine and temperatures right around 75, so I had perfect conditions! I would highly recommend a visit to Mackinac Island!

We spent the day on the island, and the park is so much of the beauty! You can barely touch all the amazing parts of it in an afternoon! Can’t wait to return.

We took Sheplers Ferry to and from the island. The fee was $20 something but the cheapest tickets are from the hotel you stay in, they give a discount. No vehicles on the island, just horse carriage and bicycles. We took the carriage tour which we also got discount tickets from the hotels desk. The carriage drivers are well steeped in island history and very informative. The Arch Rock was beautiful. The Grand Hotel was awesome. You pay a fee to roam around the hotel. We payed almost $50 per for the buffet but I must tell you, it was the best high-class food and the wait staff was very attentive. It was fun just to walk through all the shops. The island is a must do if your in the area.

Our family of five took off on foot to explore the island, eventually hiking 10 miles. Downtown Mackinac Island can be rather crowded, but you will leave most of the crowd behind when you enter the scenic trails of the park. It's peaceful, and there are multiple outlooks - Fort Holmes is one of the best - and places to have a picnic. Wildflowers, birds and rock formations add to the scenery. Small nature center and snack bar at British Landing helped break up our hike.

The area is beautiful. You can't beat the views of the Mackinaw Bridge and water. Enjoyed it very much.

The paths need to have more signs as well as benches to rest on. You cannot smell the fudge for the smell of horse poop. I felt like they wanted your money at the island by strongly encouraging you to take a horse carriage tour or renting one of there bikes.
You are told that unless you are diabled you cannot bring your pedal assist bike to the island....BUT there were tons of locals riding them everywhere. We are not disabled but do have some mobility issues so our bikes are very helpful. We tried to see the sights by walking but as I said earlier the could use more directional signs along the pathways as well as benches to take a break. Not everyone wants to ride a horse cart with shoulder to shoulder people on it taking in the smells of horse poop.
The one thing positive I can tell you is the ice cream shop by the Grand Hotel has the BEST ICE CREAM.
Also Sheplers Ferry was very nice and the horses were pretty.

Lovely and marked hiking. Lots of trees and easy to hike. Meandering through is a highlight of a visit.

Visited the restored fort and (separately) the lighthouse. All of the docents were in period costume and were friendly and knowledgeable at both sites. The fort has a current archeological dig and a good museum. The colonial period displays and buildings were well done. The two movies at the fort were interesting and enjoyable. I viewed a well done flintlock rifle operation performance and a blacksmith operating a forge. The views from the fort walls were superb.

The lighthouse was historically interesting and well maintained. The period costumed docents were friendly and informative. Due to covid, the tower was not available for climbing.

Very peaceful and enjoyable. Lots of different species not located on the mainland. A huge woodpecker!

Another quality dog friendly trip. The island is quite nice and there is alot to see and do. Our Dachshund (Ashley) loved it there!

Beautiful place. Lots to do for all age. Would definitely go back and would recommend it for anyone who are around the area.

Although crowded and over-priced and too many small children who whine and meltdown too often, the island is worth a trip and a bike ride.

This Island is the #1 place I would recommend to anyone comes to Michigan. I have been there in spring and summer and I have never tired of this beauty. The best way to explore the whole island is by bike or by walk. The 8-mile loop gives all the angles to see the lake and inland. This labor day weekend had a perfect weather there. It's good time to watch butterflies. Take rest at any sweat place for desert or any restaurant fits your needs. At least half day.

We had a blast exploring the island and the fort. The lakeshore and the wooded interior are so pretty. The fort and nearby historic buildings were maintained well and interesting.

My family’s favorite place to visit since 2008. We come annually or more. There is so much to do and so much to explore. Each time I come I see and do something new. It baffles me that someone would write a review suggesting you can explore the island in a day. You can’t. You need to rent a bike and go go go… get off the main strip and go off the beaten path. Pay the 10.00 and go explore the Grand Hotel. My son works there It’s amazing. The flowers are amazing. Relax at great turtle park, go on a sunrise kayak around the island, pairasail and see the island from above. Go to the airport and watch the planes, go to the crack in the island. Cut through the island and see the “forest king” tree. Smell some lilacs, sit at the library, visit the fort, watch the sunset from stone cliff. Go feather bowling at the wood’s restaurant, look for the abandoned village, take the haunts of Mackinac tour. Sip on a drink at the Pink Pony and get some fudge. Bike the island or better off run it if you can. There’s so much to do and see.

very beautiful forest. we did a carriage tour that went through parts of the park. then later we did some biking through the park.

The fact that this state park takes up most of the island area makes it wonderful for exploring on bikes or by walking/hiking. And it isn't just a bike ride. There are several things to see such as the fort and Sugarloaf rock. The density of trees makes it a quiet and peaceful park to explore.

This place is so beautiful, i have visited other places too, but this was certainly a good experience for me and my wife. Will go to this place soon again.

You must got to the island and walk around. This is a neat place, but it is crowded and bring your money.

Most of the island is a state park with lots of great trails for bike riding. We took a wrong turn and ended up on a long winding bike trail and we are glad we did - very scenic and not hard riding - although hilly here and there.

Simply breath taking. I highly recommend. Bicycle is preferred method, but you can also walk. If out of shape it may take a while because there are steep hills.

We visited in early October, hitting a cold and windy spell. Despite the cold, we planned to bike the perimeter, but the bike shop proprietor would not rent us a tandem, saying the winds make them too unstable. We appreciated his honesty. So we opted for the much more expensive carriage ride - is it worth the cost? Probably not, but unless you plan to hike several hours AND take a guidebook with you, this is the best way to see the island, learn some history, and be a bit entertained as well. We also hiked for a couple of hours, taking some picnic supplies we bought at the small market. Getting inland got us away from the winds and from the crowds which, despite it being October, were still there. Not summer crowds by any means. We would definitely urge anyone physically able to do so to do some hiking; most tourists likely never get off the beaten path. The woods are beautiful, and the trails plentiful and well-marked (get a map at the Visitor Center). After your hike, you will definitely feel you have "earned" your (mandatory) trip to a fudge shop.

Many if not most of the reviews of Mackinac get right to manure. We found the smell of manure to be overpowering. But, this is in the tourist areas. If you make a beeline up the hill for the State Park and navigate to the hiking trails you can have a great experience, and we did. Pro tip for hikers. Bring your own lunch and avoid the crowds waiting alongside manured streets to get food in town. We took our pack lunch up to the Fort then hiked to Arch Rock and back to town along the coast, all on trails where the horse-driven trams and buggies could not go. Renting a bike is a pain and you would really have to get far from town to escape the trams and their leavings. We had a great time.

I wasn’t able to visit until I was an adult!
Now I want to go back every season!
Bring the kids and the grandkids and let them share with you the biking and hiking and horse carriage rides and horseback riding
Learn the history of the Forts there and Indian culture way back when
The butterfly house has so much for the kids and adults to see and learn
The fudge the great restaurants the shops and the water and boat ride make this a completely wonderful vacation for all ages!

We went for a day with kids and family friends...we parked the car across from the ferry...got to the island and biked around the beautiful island...had a great time...made stops for taking pictures and bathroom breaks...had fudge...and horse carriage ride.

They have a lot of bike rentals and reasonable pricing depending how long you want to ride for...I would suggest take your time and enjoy!

We had taken our own food at the island...so didn’t get to experience the restaurants there.

Souvenir shops were pretty cheap also

Took a private 3 1/2 hour carriage ride with my group of six. Was amazing. What a beautiful escape from "the real world". Make sure you see Arch Rock.

This is one of the most beautiful places I have visited in the past several years. Everyone should experience this place!

We visit Mackinac Island a couple times a year. Such a beautiful, peaceful, relaxing place to retreat to!

Park is just gorgeous and the insane number of people on the main streets and in downtown does not populate all up so it is relatively free to walk in, when you are not dodging byciclists and horses. Governor mansion, gazebo from Somewhere in Time, walk to the Grand Hotel, the views are all stunning.
Grand Hotel is a gorgeous place but you can't even get to the grounds outside of it without shelling out cash. Also, if you want a horse taxi to get you to the place that is far, good luck. Long wait. As a result, we missed our dinner reservations. I preferred Mackinac Island back in the 20th century when I first visited it. With long ferry delays, insane number of people, and just $$$$ for everything, would not return for time to come

Have been to the island several times however every time we go we discover something new. There is something for everyone.

This visit was such an unexpected pleasure! Great food, beautiful surroundings, nice people, and an awesome hotel, the Island House. The location of everything made it so fun to explore. The trip over on the ferry was fun.

We took a carriage tour, part of which went through the park. The history is fascinating and we saw quite a few bikers and hikers, all with smiles. Very relaxing place!

The island is just jam-packed. I was here a few years ago and the weather was cool and raining, it was much more enjoyable. This trip was hot and sunny and so everyone was there. There are great bike paths as well as walking paths. You can get great views of the lake and cool rock formations. If you want to avoid the crowds go in poor weather and off-season. It is much more enjoyable then.

We went there at early fall and it was beautiful and cold! Though we only walked the island, we saw a lot of gorgeous view!

It’s was a ok experience, definitely a one timer, crazy prices on everything, hotel charging just to walk thru their lobby,the horse manure smell totally unreal.
The hotel reminded me of the greenbrier in wv, a bygone time that just not getting it anymore. If that hotel wants to see its fate, go to wv. Ditch the horses and go to battery operated vehicles.

Enjoyed the entertainment and a picnic lunch. Nice place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. Also enjoyed a carriage ride.

Hiking trails and paved bike paths. You can hike through the park and visit the historic graveyard while horse drawn carriages pass by. Also saddle horses share the trails and there are also horse only trails that are rated by experience level and are really fun. Horse riding tours are available in town.

In my opinion, this is what brings me back every few years. Rent a bike and bike the outside loop a time or 2 - a must do for any visitors. If you're in OK shape, should take an hour or 2 each lap.

This last trip, we explored some new-to-us areas: the Sugarloaf mountain and view form the center of the island and the old cemeteries. I'd love to be able to spend a week and really explore all the trails and paths.

We had a great bike ride through the park. Very picturesque. We plan to return and do some of the trails in the park.

There are so many things to do at the State Park. From walking to bike riding to carriage rides to shopping. What a great place.

Mackinac Island MI is great but why do people insist on bringing their dogs? Aren’t the beautiful horses enough? In less someone who lives on the Island has a dog (with a “Tag” proof) the dogs shouldn’t be allowed on the Island at least between May-August. There is barely enough sidewalk room for the people, including strollers (even strollers for dogs). It’s really ridiculous. Yes I’ve been an owner of dogs but I left them with someone or hired someone to care for them in home. Sue Primeau, MI resident

Mackinac Island is such a special place to visit. I had been there many times but this time as a couple and we were able to see things we hadn’t before. So romantic to stroll the streets, dine in the restaurants, shop around and take in all the scenery while stepping back in history to a place with no motorized vehicles. Such a beautiful island; a must see for everyone! Thank you for preserving this amazing island!

Anyone that is sensitive to smell should stay away. The smell of urine smacks you right in the face. So crowded its unsafe. Bicycles, people, dogs, carriages not paying mind to horse drawn carriages. Someone actually got trampled and air lifted out. The island is beautiful and during off season it's probably amazing but definitely not a relaxing day for me. Didn't stay long. The ferry service was very good and enjoyed the ride.

If you like outdoor activity, then spend a day here. Whether you walk through or bike you can still see lots of beautiful scenery.

There are multiple trails to hike up to the top of the island through the woods, a small nature center and countless areas to pull off the path and enjoy the lake & forest views.

Carriage ride, Walk or bike here. This park covers a large portion of the island. There are geologic formations, cemeteries and lake views here. A great place for photographs. The carriage tour is a great way to cover the park and get some history of the park and island.

This State Park is so beautiful! My husband and I rented bikes and rode the entire perimeter! Very easy biking (we’re in our 50s and 70s)! The views from all over the island are spectacular! We took our time, enjoyed being with nature, and made it back in less than 2 hours. I highly recommend the bike tour around the park!