Everything You Need to Know About Traveling to Mackinac Island With A Wheelchair

I visited Mackinac Island with my mom, who is full-time in a wheelchair, and am sharing everything you need to know about accessibility and visiting the island with a wheelchair. I had such a hard time finding clear info about what to expect or what we would be able to do with someone in a wheelchair before we went, so I really hope this helps with your planning and puts you at ease about taking a trip to Mackinac Island with a wheelchair.

Is Mackinac Island Wheelchair Accessible?

Some things are not accessible, but there is a lot you can do on the island with a wheelchair. We were there for three days and had a great time. 

We stayed on the island with my mom who is in a wheelchair full-time since having a stroke that limited function on her right side. She also has a very nice, portable electric wheelchair that is designed for on and off-roading. 

Wheelchair accessibility of Mackinac Island at a glance: 

• If you are in a wheelchair full-time and cannot walk even short distances
  • This was our situation and while it does limit some activities, stores and restaurants we still had enough to do to make the trip worthwhile. 
• If you require a scooter or wheelchair for longer distances, but are able to walk in small spurts
  • There is not much you won’t be able to do. You may have to park your wheelchair to be seated at certain small or more crowded restaurants or to navigate some stores that have tighter aisles. 

When to Visit Mackinac Island with a Wheelchair

I recommend checking the schedule and prices to try to go during a less busy time. Mackinac Island is always going to be somewhat busy during the summer months because that is when the horses are there and everything is open.

We visited just after the 4th of July and were there Sunday, July 7 through Wednesday, July 10. Monday seemed to be the least busy day. 

Many things are closed on the island from November to April including shops and public restrooms. The horses also leave for the season. It also gets very cold and snowy during these months. Things are open from May to October. 

When we were there in July the weather was in the low 70s. Weather on Mackinac Island in October is usually 40s to low 50s. Things start getting ready to close in October, but I have heard you can get cheaper rates and better sales in the stores as things start to slow down and prepare to close for the season. 

How to Get to Mackinac Island on a Wheelchair

The ferry to get to Mackinac Island was a very smooth process for traveling in a wheelchair. We took Shepler’s Ferry from Mackinaw City, which docks right off of Main Street, near the Bicycle Inn (where we stayed). 

I wrote another article all about our experience and the process of taking Shepler’s Ferry to Mackinac Island with a wheelchair if you want more details.

Should You Stay Overnight or Plan a Day Trip to Mackinac Island if You are Traveling with a Wheelchair?

Honestly there is not a right or wrong answer here. We stayed on the island because we wanted to be able to be near a bathroom that we knew my mom could use in her wheelchair and have an option for breaks in the room if anyone needed. We also were not sure what to expect with getting to the island and did not know how difficult it would be for a day trip with a wheelchair. After going I would confidently say that you could do a day trip with a wheelchair because the ferry ride was a smooth process and there were some wheelchair accessible bathrooms on Mackinac Island. 

Wheelchair Accessible Bathrooms on Mackinac Island

Good Day Cafe on Main Street had a very nice wheelchair accessible bathroom. This was a single person bathroom with ample space to turn a wheelchair around and grab bars on the back and left side of the toilet in the women’s restroom. 

There was also a wheelchair accessible restroom at the rest stop around the midpoint of the paved loop around the island. 

These were not the only accessible bathrooms on the island – just the ones we used without any challenges.

Where to stay on Mackinac Island with a Wheelchair

We stayed at the Bicycle Street Inn & Suites on Main Street in room 315. This was a suite with a courtyard balcony, two queen beds and a pull-out sofa. This room is not an ADA Accessible room but did work for us because we needed three beds and did not want to purchase separate rooms because let me tell ya they are not cheap! lol. 

3 Best Things to do on Mackinac Island in a Wheelchair

1. Roll through Main Street and check out some shops. 
2. Take a carriage tour. (You will need to get there early and reserve a spot on the wheelchair accessible carriage.) 
3. Loop around the island for gorgeous views of crystal clear water and a look at Arch Rock. (The loop is paved and not too crowded. You can bike, walk and roll around the eight mile loop. There is an accessible bathroom halfway.) 

Check out my blog about Planning a Day on Mackinac Island with a Wheelchair for more details and some printables to help you plan or keep as a reference on your trip. 

What Wheelchair Challenges Should I Expect on Mackinac Island?

The first one, that you may be all too familiar with, is finding a hotel that is accessible – especially if you are needing a room with more than one bed. We needed three. Many of the hotels and AirBnBs on the island have stairs and are not accessible for people in a wheelchair full time. 

The sidewalks are a bit slanted, which can pose extra challenges for balance or if someone is pushing. The sidewalks can also be very crowded along Main Street, which is where everything is. 

Some of the stores and restaurants are very small and crowded, or have one or more steps to get into, making them inaccessible for someone in a wheelchair. 

What to Take to Mackinac Island for Wheelchair Accessibility if you are Staying Overnight

We have a list of a few items that we always take on trips to help with accessibility. In short, our list includes: 

• An electric wheelchair with good battery life and a charger
• Bed rails
• Hemi-walker
• Portable lift seat
• Fold-up toilet seat and disinfectant wipes 

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