Accessibility
Mackinac Island offers unique experiences and fun for everyone. Island businesses and attractions continue to add and enhance accessible modifications for locals, visitors, and guests. The Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau is dedicated to helping visitors of all abilities get the information they need to make their visit as enjoyable as possible.
Lodging
There’s a variety of accessible lodging options available for your stay on Mackinac Island. These locations include resorts, hotels, inns, condos, B&Bs and more. If you’d like to learn more about the accessibility of a lodging location, visit their website or call them for more information.
Click here to view a list of accessible stays on Mackinac Island.
Ferries
Your journey to Mackinac Island will most likely start with a ferry ride. Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry have wheelchair and scooter accessible ferries. There is no charge to bring an electric scooter, power wheelchair, or manual wheelchair from the mainland to Mackinac Island.
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry has accessible parking available at both their Mackinaw City and St. Ignace locations. For more information, contact them at 231-436-5023 or visit their website before your journey to Mackinac Island.
Getting Around
Terrain of Mackinac Island
The 8.2 miles around the perimeter of Mackinac Island is mostly flat. This includes the downtown area and stores with sidewalk curb cuts for easy accessibility.
While the perimeter of Mackinac Island is flat, interior attractions sit on the many hills and bluffs of the Island. Horse-drawn taxi’s through Mackinac Island Carriage Tours are available if needed.
Mackinac Island Accessible Taxi
Mackinac Island has one accessible horse-drawn carriage. It is used for both the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours as well as the taxi service and will be in rotation for carriage tours throughout the day. More information is provided at the Mackinac Island Carriage Tour ticket booth.
Electric Scooter Rental
Electric scooters and manual wheelchairs are available to rent at these three bike rental locations. It is recommended that you call ahead to reserve an electric scooter. You can also bring your own mobility scooter on the ferry, free of charge.
Attractions
Downtown Shopping & Dining
On Mackinac Island, you’ll find quaint shops, dazzling art galleries, and locally owned restaurants.
Because many of the buildings on Mackinac Island were constructed over 100 years ago, some have steps or narrow doorways limiting accessibility and easy entry into shops and businesses.
For more information, please call the business you wish to visit or visit their website.
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac is a Revolutionary War era fort frequented by many visitors on Mackinac Island. It includes fourteen restored buildings with themed exhibits as well as tours and live demonstrations.
The south entrance includes a steep ramp and 27 steps leading to the top. The most accessible entrance is on the north side, on top of a hill. The easiest way to access the north side of Fort Mackinac from downtown is to take Fort Street alongside Fort Mackinac. There are other, less direct routes you can take to get to the Fort too.
A horse-drawn taxi can take visitors to the north side entrance, if needed.
Mackinac State Historic Parks provides alternative services and programs for additional access to their attractions and exhibits. Visit their accessibility page for more details.
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
Experience Mackinac Island from a horse-drawn carriage! Hear the stories and tales of Mackinac Island from the beginning until today. Tours are generally one hour and forty-five minutes and include different stops along the way.
Mackinac Island Carriage Tours has one accessible horse-drawn carriage that be in rotation for carriage tours throughout the day. More information is provided at the Mackinac Island Carriage Tour ticket booth.
Accessible Restrooms
Accessible restrooms are located throughout Mackinac Island and generally open from May-October.
Accessible public restrooms downtown are located behind the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, across from the Arnold Transit Company Dock #1 on Mackinac Island.
Public restrooms within Mackinac Island State Park are all accessible. This includes restrooms at the Mackinac Island State Park Visitor’s Center, Arch Rock, British Landing, Huron Road Rest Area, Mackinac Island Airport and the privy at Fort Holmes.
