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Hotel Class: 
3 Stars - 96 Opinions
7485 Main Street, PO Box 456, Michigan, 49757, United States
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of people enjoy staying here
96 Opinions
You Can Go Offon Your Own...
Or Functional
Early Morning Near the Fort
Make sure to ride up to the Grand Hotel!
My boyfriend wants to visit Mackinac Island on 4th of July. His plan is to stay in his tent. Is camping allowed on the Island? Would reservations for a tentsite be necessary? Is it crazy busy on 4th of July there?
Thanks for your replies. I'm sorry to doubt him, but....
L2gp
I did a google about and unless there's been a very recent change, there's no camping allowed on Mackinac Island. There are campsites in Mackinac City (on the mainland) and some other nearby towns. Here's a website that might help:
http://www.mackinac-island-reviews.com/camping.html
It probably will be crazy busy during that time period...however, most people don't leave the vicinity of the shops on the waterfront. If you hike or bike to the far side of the island (especially the interior) you are certain to escape the crowds. The best sites are to be had there anyways.
Thanks, that sounds like a good plan. So camping is allowed on the island? I guess so.
have a good 4th,
L
Thanks, I'll definitely try that site.
Enjoy the holiday,
L
No, camping does not appear to be allowed on the island. The link I included lists nearby campsites but they're all on the mainland.
Just checked the island website and here's a quote from the FAQ section:
"No. Camping is not allowed on the Island. For information on nearby camping (off of the Island), please call: Mackinaw City: (616) 436-5574 Or St. Ignace: (800) 338-6660".
Reference: www.mackinac.com/content/general/faq.html
So, as 4th of July is a really busy time for campgrounds, I'd contact the numbers provided for available space ASAP. Good luck and have a great holiday weekend!
thank you! That settles that.
L2g0
The Lilac Festival in early June is a beautiful event because of the lilacs blooming all over town. It is also a very busy time with the the island packed with visitors.
For a quiter experience, visit Mackinaw Is. before Memorial day or after Labor day. The autumn colors can be marvelous in October with "indian summer" days. Lilacs everywhere and their sweet scent in the air.
There are guided tours you can take in horse-drawn carriages. They cover the main landmarks on the island and give a good overview of its history and topography. It's a lot of fun and a good introduction to the island. I love the natural beauty of the place. 10,000 years ago the island was submerged in hundreds of feet of water, a period that left it with an interesting topography. Its forest, now a state park, was at one point a national park; in fact, it was the second park ever so designated in the US.
The Island House Hotel is a good example of a 19th century resort lodge making the successful transition to 21st century tourism. Originally constructed in the 1850s, it was one of the first summer hotels on the island. Actually, it's original location was closer to the beach; it was moved across the road in 1865. There have been several additions to the original structure; the most important changes were new wings added in 1895 and 1912.
Marquette Park - at the base of the Fort - is a good place to catch some rays on a sunny day. The lawn is very inviting, and the grass is guaranteed to be a soft bed if you need to catch a nap in between fudge shops.
Father Jacques Marquette really got around the Great Lakes in the 17th century! You'll find in Milwaukee on a downtown University campus, in the Indiana Dunes near Gary, and in my home town which is even named after him. In fact, the "twin" of his statue here overlooks the Lower Harbor in Marquette MI.
Locals anywhere cringe when the name of their beloved home is mispronounced, and Mackinac is no exception. The French settled this island and originally named it "Michilimackinac" (meaning Great Turtle), but thankfully the English shortened it to Mackinac-- however, it's pronounced MackinAW.
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Q: 4th of July "My boyfriend wants to visit Mackinac Island on 4th of July. His plan is to stay in his tent. Is camping allowed on the Island? ..."
A: "I did a google about and unless there's been a very recent change, there's no camping allowed on Mackinac Island. There are campsites in Mackinac City (on the mainland)..."
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