ST. IGNACE, MI – The Mighty Mac will close to vehicle traffic on Labor Day as thousands of pedestrians participate in the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk.
The bridge will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to noon on Monday, Sept. 7. Officials suggest planning around the closure if you will be traveling between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas on that day.
For those who end up unexpectedly stuck on one side or the other, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources suggests joining in the fun. The bridge walk is free and there is no registration – just show up and walk. There are three ways to walk; find them all here.
Alternatively, the DNR’s RecSearch website can help travelers find things to do on either side of the bridge.
The walk has been an annual event since 1958. Last year, 33,000 people participated.
Key Event Details
- Time: The walk starts at 7:00 a.m., with final entry onto the bridge allowed until 11:30 a.m.
- Cost & Registration: The event is completely free and requires no advance registration.
- Location: Participants can start from either end of the bridge—in St. Ignace at Bridge View Park or in Mackinaw City at the Jamet Street ramp.
Walk Options
- Halfway Turnaround: Walk from either end to the midpoint of the bridge and return to your starting point. You must reach the midpoint by 10:00 a.m. or be turned back.
- Full Crossing (One-Way): Walk all the way across to the opposite side (a 5-mile trip). You must reach the midpoint by 10:00 a.m. to continue.
- Double Crossing: Walk across the entire bridge and turn around to walk all the way back (a 10-mile trip).
Rules and Guidelines
- Transportation: No official buses or shuttles run across the bridge during the event. If you walk all the way across, you must arrange your own return transportation after the bridge reopens to traffic at noon.
- Prohibited Items: Signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, and wagons are not allowed. Smoking is prohibited.
- Allowed Items: Regular-sized wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and baby strollers are permitted. [1]
- Pets: Animals are banned, except for working service dogs.
- Facilities: There are no restrooms on the bridge itself, though portable toilets are located near the entrances. The average walk takes about two hours.
