Wilderness State Park transportation to Mackinaw City?

Aha! Mackinaw City KOA has a free shuttle to Shepler's ferry every half hour. Can bring bikes (and dogs). They're only 2 miles from the dock.
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Sharing for others. Thanks again.

DH could easily stay in the ferry parking lot with the dogs - lots of walking areas. What could he do in a campground that he couldn't do while waiting for you? He could cook, sleep, etc. Just a suggestion....

Because DH is staying behind with the dogs.

Why not just drive your Class C to the ferry docks. They have lots of parking there. Problem solved ? ?

Ooh. Thanks for all the tips. Never even occurred to us to stay at a KOA because we usually stay at the state parks. Have emailed both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace for shuttle info.
I've been to the island several times for work (heading there in two weeks, actually), but never with the family. Kids want to check it out. I think DH will stay behind with the dogs and enjoy peace and quiet while we explore.
Thinking of going up early on a Friday, checking in and heading to the Island. I know the ferries run late in the summer, so we could explore, catch dinner and then head back. Love the idea of a horse-drawn tour so the kids can get a good feel for the place. Want to make sure they also see the fort.
This is sounding better and better.
Thanks again!

michigansandzilla wrote:

RAMBOY wrote:
Why not stay at the Straights SP? Or at one of the KOAs in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace?

If it's for a summer weekend, everything is probably already booked, especially at the state parks.

Not the KOAs. If you stay at the Mackinaw City KOA, you can take the bike trail right into town.

RAMBOY wrote:
Why not stay at the Straights SP? Or at one of the KOAs in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace?

If it's for a summer weekend, everything is probably already booked, especially at the state parks.

If you take your bikes to the island, you have to pay a fee for each bike to be transported on the ferry. As a family of 5, we found it to be the same cost to rent bikes, but in the end we chose to get the horse drawn wagon tour around the island. Seeing the interior of the island on a bike can be challenging for those that are young, old, or not physically fit. We got a package that included the ferry ride to/from, horse wagon tour, admission to blacksmith shop and Fort Mackinac and it was worth every penny. My son still talks about the Fort.

Have a great time however you end up getting there! We are going to Wilderness this summer and we'll be visiting Fort Michilmackinac but skipping the island this time around.

Why not stay at the Straights SP? Or at one of the KOAs in Mackinaw City or St. Ignace?

We've camped at Wilderness a lot and like it. However, there is no shuttle into Mackinaw City. There is a private CG right in Mackinaw, Mill Creek, that is just a couple miles or so from the ferry docks to Mac Island. If you want to cross the Bridge and camp in the UP St Ignace State Park is a walkable distance from the ferry docks to the island. Ferry boats go from both Mac City and St Ignace to the Island. If you have bikes, ride to the ferry and take your bikes over. No cars on the Island, just bikes and horses. There is a bike path that circles the Island, about 8 miles to go around. Fun place.

You might try the ferry companies. I'm not sure about the State Park. But, our experience there was they run shuttles all over. Even take your bikes. All for free. As we were told' "We just haul you. Once you get to the dock there is no law that says you have to ride a ferry." You can use them to take you and your bikes into town and explore the fort and lighthouse museum from there. Then catch the shuttle back to the campground. JMTCW.