If you’ve ever dreamed of visiting a place with zero cars and maximum charm, Mackinac Island should definitely be on your bucket list. Over here, solo adventurers can explore secret seaside nooks, couples cozy up in charming inns, seniors can visit centuries-old historic sites, and kids can lose their minds over fudge samples and horse-drawn carriages.
When it comes to getting around this no-car island, you’ve got different accessible transportation options, including ferries, electric mobility scooters, trikes, or even a horse-drawn taxi. While this town does have cobblestone streets and a few hilly trails, there are plenty of wheelchair-accessible routes and attractions that may surprise you in the best way. Let’s check them out.
Ferrying to Freedom: Accessible Transportation to Mackinac Island
Since cars aren’t allowed at all on Mackinac Island, you must book a ferry ride to get across the water. Both Shepler’s Ferry and Arnold Transit Co. run ADA-compliant ferries that are fully equipped to handle electric scooters, power wheelchairs, and manual wheelchairs. There’s no extra charge to bring your mobility device on board.
If you’re driving up to the docks, you’ll find paid handicapped parking available at both the Mackinaw City and St. Ignace ferry terminals. Just get there a little early so you’re not stressing about a spot, especially during the summer rush. From there, you can take an accessible shuttle or tram to your ferry or even to your hotel once you arrive on the island.
It’s important to note that some of the older, classic ferries may not have full accessibility features like ramps or powered lifts. So you must call Arnold Transit Co. at 800-638-9892 or Shepler’s at 231-436-5023 to make sure an accessible ferry is part of the rotation that day.
Cruising the Charm: Wheelchair Transportation on Mackinac Island
Once you’ve made it to Mackinac Island, you’ll have different accessible transportation options. One of the most traditional and widely used is the horse-drawn carriage. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours offers an accessible, ramped carriage, which can accommodate wheelchair users. You’ll see everything from Fort Mackinac to Arch Rock, Grand Hotel, and all the charming scenery in between. These carriages are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so if this is high on your list, please call ahead to confirm availability and timing.
If you’re not doing a full tour but still need a ride, there’s an on-demand horse-drawn taxi service that can help you reach your desired destination. To request an accessible taxi, call Mackinac Island Carriage Taxi at 906-847-3307.
Alternatively, wheelchair users can rent electric scooters, adult trikes, and manual wheelchairs from Mackinac Cycle, Ryba’s Bicycle Rentals, and Mackinac Island Bike Shop. These scooters are perfect for downtown exploration, which have flat and paved paths, but may not be suitable for longer routes like the full island loop or steeper interior trails. Since these rental options book up fast, it’s best to reserve one ahead of time.
Wheelchair-Friendly Wonders: Top Attractions on Mackinac Island
Whether you’re visiting with family or rolling solo, Mackinac offers different accessible activities for all kinds of travelers. Some of the top wheelchair-accessible spots on Mackinac Island include:
Downtown Delights: Shopping and Dining Accessibility
Downtown Mackinac Island features quaint shops for souvenir shopping, cozy cafés for people-watching, and classic fudge shops for satisfying your sweet tooth. While the main street is flat, some of the buildings belong to the 1800s. So expect a few small shops and restaurants to have single steps or narrow doorways that aren’t ideal for all mobility devices. That said, you can always rent Clock Mobility’s portable ramp for easier access to select spots that don’t have an ADA-compliant layout.
Surrey Hills Museum
Tucked behind the Carriage Tour starting point, the Surrey Hills Museum is a low-key stop that’s all about the history of transportation on the island, such as vintage carriages, sleighs, and wagons that predate Uber by, like, 150 years. Most of the displays are on the ground level, so you can check things out at your own pace. It’s also shaded and a nice spot to take a breather if you’ve been in the sun too long.
Fort Mackinac
Perched up on a bluff, Fort Mackinac is one of the island’s biggest historical landmarks. At this 18th-century military post, you’ll see live cannon blasts that are loud but not dangerous, different exhibits, and historical structures. While its south entrance has a ramp and 27 steps, the north entrance via the Avenue of Flags is the most accessible route, even though Fort Street can be a bit of a workout with its steep incline.
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Arch Rock
Arch Rock stands about 146 feet above the Lake Huron shoreline, giving you a picture-perfect view of the lake through the natural limestone arch. You can either admire it from below on the flat M-185 perimeter road or take a ride up to the top via carriage or electric scooter.
The Butterfly House and Insect World
Need a break from cobblestones and crowds? Head over to The Butterfly House, which is filled with colorful free-flying butterflies and smells like flowers instead of fudge for once. It features smooth and level floors that are ideal for wheelchairs and scooters. You can also check out the Insect World area if bugs are more your thing.
Sugar Loaf
While it may sound like a bakery, Sugar Loaf is actually a giant chunk of limestone sticking up in the woods like nature forgot to finish a sculpture. It’s about 75 feet tall and has some spooky legend vibes, which makes it even more fun to visit. While it’s not perfectly leveled, it’s packed dirt and manageable for most powered chairs and scooters.
Accessible Lodging on Mackinac Island
If you’re planning a weekend escape or just need a place to rest your head after a day filled with fudge, ferries, and horse-drawn rides, Mackinac Island has a mix of charming inns, historic hotels, Airbnbs, and resort-style stays.
While some Victorian-era hotels might not be accessible, a handful of places go the extra mile to make things more comfortable for wheelchair users and travelers with mobility needs. This includes the Grand Hotel, Mission Point Resort, and Lake View Hotel. The accessibility features may vary depending on the building and room type, but common accommodations include roll-in showers, grab bars, ground-level access, wider doorways, ramps, and elevators.
If you have specific accessibility requirements, whether it’s a roll-in shower or a bed at a certain height, it’s always smart to call the hotel directly before booking.
Best Time to Visit Mackinac Island
Now you might be thinking, “When should I actually go?” Well, most things shut down in the winter, so June through August is prime time. The weather’s warm, everything’s open, flowers are blooming, and there’s a good mix of events happening.
That also means it’s the most crowded, so if you’re not a fan of weaving through packs of tourists or waiting for your horse-drawn taxi to inch forward, consider the shoulder seasons.
Late May and September into early October are sweet spots. There are fewer crowds, cooler but still manageable temperatures, and fall foliage that’ll have you pulling out your phone every five minutes.
Secure Your Ride With Clock Mobility
Mackinac Island offers different accessible transportation options that range from ferries to horse-drawn carriages. However, you still need a ride to reach the ferry docks in the first place. That’s where Clock Mobility makes the whole thing easier.
With a wide range of wheelchair-accessible rental vehicles, you can travel comfortably from anywhere in Michigan to the docks at Mackinaw City or St. Ignace without hassle. We also offer various mobility scooters for the island and portable ramps to facilitate navigation of historic storefronts.
Call us at (866) 380-3326 or visit one of our four convenient locations across Michigan to arrange your vehicle or pick up extra mobility gear for your trip.
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