Camping
Mackinaw City offers a variety of camping options including tent camping, trailer camping and cabin rentals. Camping is available on the shore of Lake Huron with great Mackinac Bridge views. Many of the campgrounds offer full amenities that include a camp store, daily activities and swimming pools. Wilderness State Park also offers a more rustic setting campground for those who prefer a more private outdoor campground feel. It does not offer all the amenities as the city campgrounds but it offers many other recreational opportunities in the park. For those who like more modern comfort there are fully furnished cabins available at most of the campgrounds that include full kitchen, bathroom and TV.
Fishing
Mackinaw City is located on the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, both of which offer excellent fishing. Fishing charters can be found across the Mackinac Bridge in St. Ignace as well as in Cheboygan, which is located just minutes east of Mackinaw City. Another fishing opportunity for travelers is Wilderness State Park, which is located a few miles west of the city. Anglers can fish the extensive Lake Michigan shoreline for bass, perch and whitefish. Several inland lakes nearby also have public access, but they usually will require a boat to be able to properly fish the lake.
Hiking
Good hiking opportunities are available in the area surrounding Mackinaw City. Mill Creek State Historic Park is located in Mackinaw City and offers 600 acres of forestland with several short hiking trails. Wilderness State Park offers hikers more than 12 miles of trails that are composed of several scenic routes. A few are along the Lake Michigan shoreline and allow for great views and excellent photo opportunities. Nearby Mackinac Island, which can only be accessed by ferry, also offers a great hiking opportunity. Since the island does not allow motorized vehicles, most traveling is done on foot. The island offeres a few dedicated hiking trails, with the longest being the shoreline trail that encompasses the whole island. Other hiking opportunities exist in the general area that would require a short drive, many of which consist of trails accessing Lake Michigan or Lake Huron.
