Fort Mackinac Accessibility

Surfaces

Outdoor surfaces are wooden boardwalks, grass, and concrete.

Getting to Fort Mackinac

Passenger ferries and airplanes take visitors to Mackinac Island. Two private companies operate boats to the island from St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. Air-taxi service from Pellston and St. Ignace is also available. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on Mackinac Island; however, personal motorized devices are allowed with permission. Please contact us for more details.

Fort Mackinac’s most accessible entrance is located on the north side of the site and can be reached in several ways. The most immediate route from downtown is to follow Fort Street up the west side of the fort. The road is very steep and may be difficult for some visitors. Other less direct roads also lead to the north entrance.

The ramp leading to the south entrance has 27 steps at the top. This entrance is NOT accessible for visitors using wheelchairs. Horse-drawn carriage tours and taxis leaving from downtown locations will transport visitors to the north side of the fort. A taxi with a lift may be available; contact 906.847.3323 for taxi information.

Museum and Park Services

– Wheelchairs are available for loan near the Avenue of Flags entrance gate. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
– A digital site map can be found by clicking here. (COMING SOON)
– Captioning is provided for movies at all sites.
– An adult changing table is available.
– Service Animals are permitted at all sites and in all buildings.
– Program Bulletins are available for various demonstrations by clicking here.
– Sensory Considerations can be found by clicking here.
– A Social Story can be found by clicking here. (COMING SOON)

Guide to Access

Numbers correspond with numbered buildings found on site maps.

Difficult Access

Five to eight entrance steps to these buildings may make access difficult for visitors with mobility impairments:

– Post Bathhouse (4)
– Reading Room (9)
– North Blockhouse (10) Alternate program(s) provided
– West Blockhouse (12)
– Tea Room (15) Alternate service area provided
– South Sally Port Entrance/Exit (18) Alternate entrance/exit available
– Upper Gun Platform (19) Alternate program(s) provided
– East Blockhouse (20) Alternate program(s) provided

Moderate Access

Access may be limited for some visitors with mobility impairments in these buildings:

– The Officers’ Hill Quarters (11) has narrow hallways, thresholds and stairs to the second floor. It may be difficult to turn around in a wheelchair or motorized scooter in the house.
– Two entrance steps lead to the Guardhouse (17).

Alternate Building Entrances

The following buildings have alternate ramped entrances:

– Enter the Office (2) through the Quartermaster’s Storehouse (3).
– Enter the Officers’ Stone Quarters (14) through the back porch of the building.

Alternate Entrances

– The ramp leading to the South Sally Port (18) entrance is very steep and there are 27 steps at the top. This entrance is NOT accessible for visitors using wheelchairs. Please use Fort Street to connect you to the Avenue of Flags (8).
– A small elevator in the Soldiers’ Barracks (7) connects the two levels of Fort Mackinac. The elevator accommodates only smaller motorized wheelchairs. Elevator entrance locations: Parade Ground Level: Near Restrooms (6); Avenue of Flags Level: Barracks rear porch, second door (7).
– Alternate North Sally Port (5) entrance to lower level.

Alternate Programs

– Accessible service for the Tea Room (15) is available on the covered piazza at the rear of the Officers’ Stone Quarters (14).
– The cannon demonstration, located up a flight of stairs on the Gun Platform (19), is shown live on a television monitor at the Water Well (21). All other scheduled programs are held in accessible areas.
– A video program is available west of the North Blockhouse (10) exhibit, featuring alternate programs for the North Blockhouse (10), Reading Room (9), and East Blockhouse (20).

Discount

Mackinac State Historic Parks gives a 25 percent discount to visitors with disabilities who may not be able to enjoy all of our programs and exhibits.

Click here for access information at all sites.