Free Things to do in the Mackinac Area
Some of the most enjoyable things to do while on vacation are free. Below are some suggestions:
Visit the sand dunes just west of town on US-2.
Spend an afternoon sunning, swimming, and hiking the winding trails along miles of beautiful sandy beach on the north shore of Lake Michigan.
Location just west of town on US-2. Over 15 miles of sandy beach. Your usually able to find a secluded private spot.
Ride your bike
* Around Mackinac Island
* On the sand dunes cross country skiing trial. Great mountain biking place.
* On one of the rail to trails paths.
* On one of the snow mobile trails
Take a hike
* St Ignace has a waterfront boardwalk through town. Historic marker line the walkway.
* Most of the above biking trails are not widely used so they are good places for hiking
* The St Ignace area is surrounded by State and Federal forest land all which are good places for hiking. Some you better take a compass others like the rail to trails are fairly flat and hard to get lost.
* The North Country Trail is a National Scenic Trail which when completed will extend across seven states from New York to North Dakota. Today, 1,700 of the 4,000-mile route are completed. Approximately 35 miles of the completed trail lies in the St. Ignace Ranger District of the Hiawatha National Forest.
Climb Castle Rock
Castle Rock is rises almost 200' above the surrounding area like an ancient castle of the middle ages. Excellent view of Mackinac Island, Lake Huron and the area. It is almost free, cost per person is 50 cent. The following link will give you a 50% off coupon.
Go Letterboxing
Letterboxing is an intriguing mix of treasure hunting, art, navigation, and exploring interesting, scenic, and sometimes remote places. Here's the basic idea: Someone hides a waterproof box somewhere (in a beautiful, interesting, or remote location) containing at least a logbook and a carved rubber stamp, and perhaps other goodies. The hider then usually writes directions to the box (called "clues" or "the map"), which can be straightforward, cryptic, or any degree in between. Often the clues involve map coordinates or compass bearings from landmarks, but they don't have to. Selecting a location and writing the clues is one aspect of the art.
The campark has four letter box locations for guest only. Get the clues at the office.
The K-Royale Motor Inn and Castle Rock Campark maintains two other letter boxes in the area. See the following link for the locations.
Go See Mackinac Bridge
First visit the bridge during the day time and then come back at night for a even more spectacular view. The Bridge View Park is located west of the toll plaza. This $1.3 million project includes an observation building, paved access roads, a walking path, picnic areas, trees and landscaped areas containing flowers and shrubs. After leaving the park take the Boulevard Drive (about five miles) along the lake shore and get even better views of the bridge.
Go Fishing
* Carp River
* Castle Rock Ponds. Great for the kids. The ponds are stocked every June for the Kids fishing derby.
* St Ignace docks
Go on a Picnic
Below are some of my favorite places for a picnic:
* The bridge viewing area is a great place.
* Carp River
* Sand Dunes
* Castle Rock Ponds
* Lake Michigan view area along West US-2
* St Ignace rest area. Offers a good view of Chain lake
Bayside Live
Every Thursday night starting around the auto show though the end of the summer their is waterfront entertainment. See the area calendar for details and dates on the various bands, folksingers, storytellers, and comedians that come to town.
Watch a Parade
Like most small towns St Ignace puts on a great parade
* Auto Show Parade
* 4th of July Parade
* Truck Show Parade of lights
* Motorcycle Parade of lights
Visit a Lighthouse
See my lighthouse page for a complete list of area lighthouses
For People Over 50 go to the Casino on Senior day
Every Thursday between 7am-7pm the senior offers $5.00 in coins to people over 50.
Casino Offers $10 in coins on Your Month of Your Birthday
Just remember we are trying to do free things and stop at your $10.00 limit.
Watch Fudge being made at one of the local fudge shops
Watch Pasties being made at one of the local pasties shops