Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac ( MAK-ə-naw) is a former British and American military outpost garrisoned from the late 18th century to the late 19th century in the city of Mackinac Island, Michigan, on Mackinac Island. Records date it to 1875. A short trip away is Lake Michigan–Huron, 7.1 mi off.
A landmark inside Mackinac Island
Winters are cold
January nights drop to 13°. When to go ↓
St. Ignace is the nearest base
St. Ignace is 6 miles northwest, with 26 places to stay. Where to stay ↓
Established in 1875
Fort Mackinac dates from 1875. About ↓
Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug and Sep
June, July, August and September are the mild months, with highs of 68–75°. When to go ↓
Written from NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Overture places to stay, Census town figures, Wikidata and Wikipedia.
Weather, month by month
Below are typical highs and lows near Fort Mackinac.
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac ( MAK-ə-naw) is a former British and American military outpost garrisoned from the late 18th century to the late 19th century in the city of Mackinac Island, Michigan, on Mackinac Island. The British built the fort during the American Revolutionary War to control the strategic Straits of Mackinac between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, and by extension the fur trade on the Great Lakes. The British did not relinquish the fort until thirteen years after the end of the American Revolutionary War.
Fort Mackinac later became the scene of two strategic battles for control of the Great Lakes during the War of 1812. During most of the 19th century, it served as an outpost of the United States Army. Closed in 1895, the fort has been adapted as a museum on the grounds of Mackinac Island State Park.
- Type
- Landmark
- Established
- 1875
- Area
- 1,730 acres
- Listed
- National Register of Historic Places (1970) · National Register of Historic Places contributing property (1966)
- Wikipedia readers
- 18K a year
Places to stay near Fort Mackinac
The nearest towns with places to stay are Mackinaw Township (50) and Mackinaw City (45).
- 1Lake Michigan–Huron
- 2Mackinac
- 3Fort Michilimackinac
- 4St. Ignace Mission
- 5Mackinac Art Museum
- 6Robert Stuart House
Compare 8 towns
| Town | From Fort Mackinac | Drive | Places to stay | People | Typical home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackinac Island 41% vacation homes | in town | — | — | 617 | $733K |
| Mackinaw Township 46% vacation homes | 8 mi southwest | 15 min | 50 25 hotels · 11 motels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 4 lodges & cabins · 3 campgrounds | 495 | $279K |
| Mackinaw City 40% vacation homes | 8 mi southwest | 10 min | 45 27 hotels · 8 motels · 7 inns & B&Bs · 2 lodges & cabins · 1 campground | 836 | $224K |
| St. Ignace | 6 mi northwest | 10 min | 26 18 hotels · 6 motels · 1 inn or B&B · 1 lodge or cabins | 2,351 | $132K |
| St. Ignace Township 26% vacation homes | 14 mi north | 20 min | 13 3 hotels · 4 motels · 2 inns & B&Bs · 4 campgrounds | 1,007 | $179K |
| Carp Lake Township 52% vacation homes | 14 mi southwest | 20 min | 12 4 hotels · 1 motel · 1 inn or B&B · 6 lodges & cabins | 747 | $195K |
| Wawatam Township 39% vacation homes | 11 mi southwest | 15 min | 6 3 hotels · 2 motels · 1 campground | 697 | $227K |
| Moran Township 38% vacation homes | 21 mi northwest | 30 min | 16 6 hotels · 3 motels · 1 lodge or cabins · 4 campgrounds · 2 RV parks | 1,072 | $230K |
Getting there
Nearest airports with airline service
Next door to Fort Mackinac
All of these are within 59 miles.
17 mi LakeLake Michigan–Huron2in town Park & preserveMackinac National Park
37 mi Ancient siteFort Michilimackinac
47 mi DamSoo Locks
58 mi WaterfallTahquamenon Falls
46 mi MuseumSt. Ignace Mission
5in town MuseumMackinac Art Museum
6in town MuseumRobert Stuart HousePhoto credits
Lake Michigan–Huron: ChongDae, Public domain · Fort Michilimackinac: WMrapids, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Soo Locks: USGS, Public domain · Tahquamenon Falls: Bobak Ha'Eri, CC BY 3.0 · St. Ignace Mission: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Mackinac Art Museum: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Robert Stuart House: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 3.0
Planning a visit to Fort Mackinac
Is Fort Mackinac in Mackinac Island?
Yes. It’s inside Mackinac Island, MI.
When is the best time to visit Fort Mackinac?
June, July, August and September, with highs of 68–75°.
What is the closest airport to Fort Mackinac?
Pellston Regional Airport of Emmet County (PLN), about 21 miles away. The nearest big hub is Gerald R. Ford (GRR), about 210 miles.
Where should I stay near Fort Mackinac?
Mackinaw Township (8 mi, 50 places to stay), Mackinaw City (8 mi, 45 places to stay) and St. Ignace (6 mi, 26 places to stay).
What locals in Mackinac Island say
Tips will appear here once someone posts in Mackinac Island’s Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · NOAA climate normals · U.S. Census.