Mackinac Island State Park Comm

History

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission was created by the Michigan legislature on May 31, 1895. The commission's purpose was to administer Michigan's first state park; which had previously been Mackinac National Park, the United States' second national park, from 1875 to1895. The commission's jurisdiction was extended in 1909 to Michilimackinac State Park in Mackinaw City, Michigan's second state park. Over 80 percent of Mackinac Island is now included within the boundaries of Mackinac Island State Park, which also contains Fort Mackinac historic site. Colonial Michilimackinac and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse are located within Michilimackinac State Park. In 1983 the commission also opened Historic Mill Creek State Park, east of Mackinaw City. The historic sites and parks are together known as Mackinac State Historic Parks. Annual visitation to all these parks and museums is nearly 1,000,000. Mackinac State Historic Parks has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums sinc

Specialties

Michigan's first state park. Mackinac Island State Park was established in 1895. For twenty years before that it had been Mackinac National Park, the United States' second national park. Today, over eighty percent of Mackinac Island is State Park property, and most of this park land remains in its natural condition to be enjoyed. A great variety of historic and natural resources provides something of interest for every Mackinac Island visitor. Historic landmarks, breathtaking vistas, spectacular rock formations, quiet forests and inspiring nature trails are just minutes away. The sites are accessible by foot or bike, rented horse or buggy, sightseeing carriages or horse-drawn taxi. This is Mackinac.