Haunted Things To Do on Mackinac Island Ghost Tours, Night Walks, and Paranormal Experiences
- Desirae-Haunted Traverse
- Jul 22
- 8 min read
Michigan offers more than just beautiful lakes and charming midwest villages. For those drawn to the mysterious and unexplained, the state is home to some of the most intriguing haunted locations in the country.
Whether you are a seasoned ghost hunter or a curious traveler, Michigan’s most unique and timeless haunted destination-Mackinac Island- provides a unique blend of history, eerie atmospheres, and paranormal activity that will keep you on edge.
Enjoy these haunted locations, places to stay, and things to do when exploring the haunted side of Mackinac Island. An island so timeless you can experience thrilling paranormal history firsthand. Let's begin Haunted Things To Do on Mackinac Island Ghost Tours, Night Walks, and Paranormal Experiences...
Why Should Mackinac Island Be on Every Paranormal Traveler's Bucket List
When the last ferry's horn fades into the fog each night, the island changes. It's as if with the sun setting, the spirits know they are free to roam. The sky is dark and the stars shine so bright as if to provide what light they can in the darkness that seeps into every corner of the island.
In short, it becomes magic. It becomes sacred and it becomes haunted.
Straights of Mackinac Haunted Paranormal Travel Destination
Mackinac Island is famous for its natural beauty as it perches in the waterways of the straights of Mackinac. But it also has many quirks that keep this location intriguing. First, the island prohibits motor vehicles. Those that traverse here must and do slow down enough from their hectic lifestyles to become more observant and open to their surroundings.
It's history-at times- can be a violent one from the indegenouse people that were known for their cannabilistic practices on occassion to the multiple battles between the French, English and colonials, as well as the brutal environment of Northern Michigan Winters the inhabitants would have to survive through. So, understandably this kind of turbulent and rich history fuels many tales, lore, and ghost stories.
Best Ghost Tour on Mackinac Island
Here are some suggestions for your visit to Mackinac Island. Author, Todd Clements wrote of the hauntings of Mackinac Island in his book, "The Haunts of Mackinac." It tells of many tales of restless spirits crying out, flitting as shadows, or speaking of their tragedies. With the encouragement to expand from the book, the Haunts of Mackinac Ghost Tours began.
I remember when the ghost tour was a candlelight guided tour in the beginning, where guests explored the island at their own leisure from haunted location to haunted location using the candles to guide their way. Now, under the guidance of trained guides, guests get to explore more of the hauntings.
Book Here Your Ghost Tour: Haunts of Mackinac
Why Mackinac Island Is Haunted
Few places in Michigan carry the weight of Mackinac Island. What started as an ancient burial site for the Anishinaabek People soon became a fort established in 1780. In between now and the present, it as grown from a National Park to a State Park. Carless with horse drawn carriages and bicycles that will pass you by, this island has its very good reasons for being voted the #1 Island in America.
There are many sites reported to be haunted on the island including Fort Mackinac. The fort stands on the cliffs of Mackinac Island, now overlooking the victorian homes and town below. Witnesses say they see an appraition many would describe as wearing black that roams through the bailey. Disappearing at her discretion this "Lady in Black" seems to call on the piping of military songs from old that echo off of the fort's walls.
Explore Mackinac Island with More Tours
My family and I have visited often through my years and agree that there seems to be some sort of energy left behind on the Island. Just simply walking up to the Post Hospital's entrance fills me with trepidation, deep soul wrenching sorrow, and the feeling of being carefully observed and pondered by the beyond.
Beyond Fort Mackinac, there are many experiences to be enjoyed on Mackinac Island-most have no direct handlings with the paranormal. Any good investigator knows that to truly understand a haunting is to submerge yourself in the history and experiences the location offers.
So, when you find your self on the Island, be sure to book other experiences as well.
Interesting Tours on Mackinac Island
Fort Admission-visit the Post Hospital haunting site here
Mackinac Island's Haunted Locations
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Another gem on Mackinac Island, the Grand Hotel is not only known for its stunning views and historic charm but also for its ghost stories. Guests have reported seeing ghostly figures in the hallways, hearing unexplained music, and feeling sudden chills in certain rooms.
The hotel’s long history as a summer retreat for wealthy families has created a rich tapestry of stories, including tales of former guests who never left. Paranormal investigators have documented unusual electromagnetic readings and unexplained sounds. Staying at the Grand Hotel offers a chance to enjoy luxury while keeping an eye out for the supernatural.
Fort Mackinac
Fort Mackinac, built in the late 18th century, is a hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors and staff have reported hearing footsteps, seeing apparitions in period clothing, and experiencing sudden drops in temperature. A cave was stumbled upon with layers of human bones, evidence of the violence man invokes upon each other.
The fort’s long military history, including battles and harsh conditions, seems to have left restless spirits behind as well at Fort Mackinac. Ghost tours run regularly on the island, offering visitors a chance to explore the haunted sites after dark and hear firsthand accounts of strange encounters. The combination of historical significance and eerie experiences makes Mackinac Island a must-visit for paranormal enthusiasts.
Fort Mackinac's Post Hospital
A hotbed of paranormal activity. The volunteers and visitors alike report feeling supernatural cold spots and feelings of despair and sadness.
Round Island Lighthouse
Volunteers and visitors alike report feeling supernatural cold spots and footsteps walking to the top of the lighthouse.
The Drowning Pool
Witches were persecuted on the Island in the 1700s and a pool of water located between Mission Point and downtown Mackinac Island is the location of those tragic passings. Now those heinouse wrongs seem to have a grip on these waters and will not let go. Splashes, apparitions, screams of sorrow or intolerance, and strange behaving supernatural fog have been experienced.
Mission Point Resort
What was once a liberal arts college is now a resort with a haunting presence. Witnesses have obeserved ghost children playing with toys and ghost of a college student reported to have committed suicide from the cliffs. My family make our way to Mackinac Island from the Traverse City area at least bi-yearly to revisit this fascinating and haunted island that makes the straights of Mackinac its home...and yes Dear Reader, this author has had many experiences while exploring and staying on the island.
Where to Stay
The Harbour View Inn and Island House Hotel let you sleep where history — and the paranormal — happened.
Most Haunted Places in America
Sample Weekend Itinerary
Friday Evening
Arrive late Friday Afternoon
Transportion to the island is provided by Shepler's Ferry. Be sure to book your tickets in advance. Parking is right next to the dock in Mackinaw City.
Once you disembark from the ferry, check in with the Bed and Breakfast or Hotel.
Attend dinner at The Mackinac Social (or a restaurant of your choosing in the village)
Attend the Haunts of Mackinac Evening Ghost Tour
Saturday
First thing first, sign up for the carriage tour at your chosen time for the day with the Mackinac Island Carriage Tours. These fill up fast and the lines can be long. To get the time you want and avoid the crowds, sign up first thing in the morning or the moment you get off the ferry.
Enjoy your lovely breakfast at your stay or the Pancake House in the village
2 Morning or Afternoon Activities:
Enjoy your carriage tour at your selected time that day morning or afternoon. This tour will take you past several key historical sites including the Grand Hotel, Arch Rock, and Fort Mackinac.
Enjoy a visit to explore Skull Cave/Fort Holmes/St. Ann's Cemetery.
Pro Tip: The Fort is accessed from the village with a tall, high ramp that guests can walk up. The carriage ride takes you to the back of the Fort and drops you off to explore the fort at your leisure.
Lunch is optional, but my family enjoys a bagged lunched and sitting under the shade of the trees at the base of the Fort in Marquette Park.
Evening Activity: Dine at Mission Point Resort's Round Island Kitchen then after dinner explore Mission Point Resort and on your way back to your stay The Drowning Pool location.
Sunday Morning
One last chance to sample an Island breakfast at a location of your choosing.
Stop in a do some fudge and souvenir shopping in the village
If you have later departure date, rent bikes and explore the other haunted locations that were not able to check off the list as well as additional cemeteries such as the Fort's.
Catch your Shepler Ferry Ride back to the mainland and onward to your next spirited adventure!!
In Conclusion: Haunted Things To Do on Mackinac Island Ghost Tours, Night Walks, and Paranormal Experiences
So now Dear Reader, are you brave enough to stand on the pier of Mackinac Island and watch the final Shepler Ferry depart and take with it the last remnants of a safety lifeline with it? To Turn yourself away from dark waters to face back toward an island whose dead is waiting for you to observe them from beyond the history told to you during the light of day?
The last horn it seems will rattle between your rib cage and your heart. Your breath will quicken. Your heart will beat in a new strange rhythm.
Will you take the first steps to explore the Witch's Pool? Tour the Island with the Haunts of Mac? Or will you creep up the hill and into the safety of your bed and breakfast room rental? Tuck up the covers and wait for the boats to return in the morning?
If its the latter, it won't help you...those Victorian homes are haunted too. Sweet dreams...
If you do visit Mackinac Island and experience something supernatural, this author will be lurking on the other side...of the internet... in hope you will reach out to her.
Thank you for reading this article
Let's explore more if you have time!
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