Want to escape the rain or soak in the cool air? There’s no better place on the island than Cave of the Woods, located just a few steps away from the crack-in-the-island. Pro Tip: This is a terrific spot for pictures-especially in spring and summer, when you’ll see a sea of wildflowers along the path. But in the 1800s, occupiers used it as a garbage dump. Then, just follow Crack-in-the-Island Trail and you’ll stumble upon two geologic wonders (read about the second one next).Ĭrack-in-the-island used to be even more formidable. Take State Road to the park, and then look out for a tangle of small trails to the side of the road. To reach crack-in-the-island, look on your Mackinac map toward where the Wawashkamo golf course and island airport just about meet. The crack-in-the-island is a unique and authentic geological feature caused by the erosion of water. Mackinac Island is home to a split in its natural limestone deposit, which has given way to a ravine deep enough to stand in. Just a few steps up, up, and away is Point Lookout-arguably the best view on the island. Pro Tip: You can’t climb on Sugar Loaf, but you can make your way up the stairs behind for a better view. Have a glance at Sugar Loaf from the side. After Manabozho granted the first nine wishes, the last man audaciously asked for eternal life.Įnraged, Manabozho transformed the man into Sugar Loaf, permanently freezing his features into a rock. In Anishinaabe legend, 10 men asked Manabozho, the divine messenger of the Great Spirit, to grant their wishes. Out of the forest, you’ll come to a clearing-and then look on over. It’s a loop, so you can’t go the wrong way. To reach Sugar Loaf, you’ll need to hike, or bike, along a dirt path called Sugar Loaf Road for maybe a half mile. But in fact, the tower of rock likely stands so tall because the lake waters once washed away all of the rock surrounding it thousands of years ago-just Sugar Loaf remained strong enough to withstand the erosion. Sugar Loaf rock rises out of the forest like a crashed meteor. You can also take the lake path, M-185-but be prepared for 207 stairs up (and 207 stairs down). But if you’re on bike, cut through the island via Rifle Range road. There are multiple ways to reach Arch Rock. Once you step out as far as possible on the platform, a breathtaking view awaits. Tree life grows on flatter parts of the formation, and you can climb out onto a platform along its sides to peer across top. Standing 147 feet above Lake Huron and framing a view of the water through a perfect oval of suspended rock, it may be Mackinac’s most famous rock formation.Īrch Rock formed 7,500 years ago, and it’s still changing. Arch RockĪrch Rock is a postcard window onto the Great Lakes. Whether you tackle them in a day, or spread them out over a vacation, there’s no wrong time to take in the wonder of this island.Īll photos by author unless otherwise noted. A changing climate has also altered the shape of the island, with falling water levels exposing more land over time.Ĭheck out these seven must-see geological features on Mackinac Island. These natural wonders have been formed over millions of years, thanks to the island’s interplay of waves, wind, and ice, which carved out the kinds of rock formations that you’re not likely to find further inland. Located at the intersection of lakes Huron and Superior, the island is sculpted perfectly for geological observation-in other words, it’s a great place to see some awesome rocks, ledges, caves, and crevices. Mackinac Island is the perfect place to forget the world-no traffic, no trouble, ample fudge.īut it’s also the perfect place to connect with the world-as in, the earth under your feet. Arch Rock is just the start of what Mackinac Island has to offer, and some of its best views are removed from the touristy circuit.
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