Mackinac County in Michigan includes mainland communities and Mackinac Island. When choosing a hotel, vacation apartment, or vacation home, first decide whether you plan to stay on the island, in St. Ignace, or at another destination in the county. A mainland address does not mean the accommodation is on Mackinac Island.
St. Ignace and Straits State Park
- Straits State Park in Mackinac County offers 181 acres of recreational land on Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac.
- Father Marquette National Memorial was designated by the National Park Service in 1975 and opened to the public in Straits State Park in 1976.
- Father Marquette National Memorial includes an interpretive outdoor trail with 15 stations, powwow areas, and an amphitheater.
- The North Country Trail passes through Straits State Park and runs partly along the park’s one-mile hiking trail.
- Straits State Park is a destination on the Northern Huron Birding Trail and is especially noteworthy during spring and fall bird migrations.
- The Huron Boardwalk extends about 6,000 feet along the St. Ignace downtown waterfront and offers views of Lake Huron, Mackinac Island, and ferry traffic.
- The Huron Boardwalk features informational panels and historical kiosks about the history, ways of life, and industries of the Straits of Mackinac region.
Mackinac Island
- Mackinac County includes Mackinac Island.
- Mackinac Island State Park covers more than 82 percent of Mackinac Island.
- Fort Mackinac has watched over Mackinac Island for more than 240 years.
- Mackinac Island offers more than 70 miles of walking and hiking trails.
- Mackinac Island has been car-free for more than 100 years; ways to get around and explore include carriage rides and horseback rides through Mackinac Island State Park.
- Ferry services to Mackinac Island operate from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.
- The Botanical Trail on Mackinac Island features signs about trees, plants, mushrooms, flowers, and ferns.
Other Places and Museums
- The Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway displays more than 185 antique, historic, and classic snowmobiles.
- The Les Cheneaux Historical Museum presents the everyday tools and traditions of the people of Les Cheneaux in a log cabin.
- The Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum houses the O. M. Reif Boathouse, the Mariner’s Library, artifacts from the eastern Upper Peninsula, and boats from Les Cheneaux.
- Admission to the Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum is free.
Choosing the Right Accommodation
On Mackinac Island, trails and historic destinations are part of a car-free visit; plan the crossing and your specific arrival time separately for the accommodation you choose. For Straits State Park and the Huron Boardwalk, consider St. Ignace as your base, while the snowmobile museum is in Naubinway. The trails mentioned vary in length and focus; county facts do not provide information about room availability, prices, or amenities. So compare the actual address of the listing with your planned outing, and check current access and opening hours.
For regional context: Michigan.
