How to Get Around Mackinac Island: Bikes, Carriages, Horses & More (2026)

Last Updated: April 2026

Mackinac Island has been car-free since 1898 — no motors, no traffic, no exhaust. Getting around is part of the experience here, and honestly one of the things I love most about the island. You have four options: bike, horse-drawn carriage, horseback, or your own two feet. This guide covers all of them, with current prices, shop locations, trail recommendations, and the honest advice I give to friends planning their first trip.

[ADD TABLE OF CONTENTS HERE — delete this line in Visual Editor, then type /table of contents to insert the Kadence TOC block]

📌 In a Nutshell

• No cars allowed since 1898 — you get around by bike, carriage, horseback, or on foot.
• Bike rentals: ~$15–$17/hour for adult bikes; all shops on Main Street, no reservations, first-come first-served.
• M-185 perimeter ride: 8.2 miles, mostly flat, 60–90 minutes at a leisurely pace — the only state highway in America that bans cars.
• Carriage tours: ~$41/adult for the 1 hour 45 minute narrated tour; no reservations needed.
• Horse-drawn taxis: Radio-dispatched 24 hours — call (906) 847-3323, you cannot hail them on the street.
• E-bikes are banned except for visitors with a qualifying mobility disability using a Class 1 pedal-assist bike.

Mackinac Island Bike Rentals

Biking is the most popular way to explore Mackinac Island, and for good reason. The moment you start pedaling along the Lake Huron shoreline on M-185 with nothing but the sound of waves and your wheels on the pavement, you realize you’re on the only state highway in America where you’ll never see a car. All the bike rental shops are clustered along Main Street, a short walk from the ferry docks. All operate first-come, first-served — no reservations — so arriving early during peak season (July and August) is smart.

Where to Rent Bikes on Mackinac Island

Mackinac Island Bike Shop — 7421 Main St

One of the island’s largest shops with a huge fleet of TREK rental bikes. They offer free self-guided tour maps with every rental and carry single-speed cruisers, multi-speed bikes, mountain bikes, tandems, tag-alongs, and Burleys for kids. Also rents electric scooters and pushchair strollers for those with mobility needs.

• 📞 (906) 847-6337
• 🌐 mackinacislandbikeshop.com

Ryba’s Bike Rentals — 7421 Main St

A budget-friendly Main Street fixture since 1960 with two locations and a fleet of over 395 bikes. Ryba’s carries tag-alongs, baby carts, strollers, and a full range of adult and kids’ bikes. They have a $1-off coupon on their website — worth printing before you go.

• 🌐 rybabikes.com

Mackinac Wheels / Mackinac Bike Barn — 6929 and 7411 Main St

Sister shops with the same pricing. Mackinac Wheels carries new bikes every season with a full repair shop. The Bike Barn is the better pick for tandems and stroller rentals. Group reservations available for groups of 20+ in shoulder season (May, early June, September, October).

• 📞 (906) 847-8026
• 🌐 mackinacbikes.com

Island House Bikes — 6966 Main St

Located in front of the Island House Hotel directly across from the marina, open to the public (not just hotel guests). Fleet includes single-speed cruisers, 7-speed cruisers, trikes, and Burleys. Helmets and locks included with all rentals.

• ⏰ 8 AM–6 PM daily
• 📞 (906) 847-3347
• 🌐 theislandhouse.com/bike-rental

Mackinac Cycle — 7271 Main St

A large inventory of Specialized brand bikes including comfort bikes, tandems, tag-alongs, and Burleys. A solid budget-friendly option on Main Street.

👉 Insider tip: The Bicycle Street Inn and Suites provides complimentary bikes for guests — a great perk if you’re staying overnight. Grand Hotel guests can rent bikes at the Woodlands Activity Center (2-hour minimum, must return by 5 PM). Mission Point Resort also rents bikes to guests and non-guests.

Mackinac Island Bike Rental Prices

Pricing varies by shop and bike type. Here’s what to expect based on confirmed 2026 rates — always verify directly with the shop as prices can shift during peak season:

Bike Type	Hourly
Adult single-speed cruiser	~$10–$14/hr
Adult multi-speed cruiser	~$15–$17/hr
Kids’ bike	~$9–$14/hr
Tandem bike	~$20/hr
Tag-along or Burley	~$10–$11/hr
Stroller	~$8/hr

Most shops also offer half-day (4-hour) and full-day rates. A credit card deposit is required at most shops. Note: training-wheel bikes are not permitted on Mackinac Island — Burleys and tag-alongs are the safe option for young children who can’t yet ride independently.

👉 How long should I rent? A 2-hour rental is the sweet spot for the M-185 perimeter loop with photo stops and a snack at Cannonball Oasis at the halfway point. If you also want to explore the interior trails and reach Arch Rock or Sugar Loaf, go for the 4-hour half-day rental.

Bringing Your Own Bike

You can bring your own bike on the Mackinac Island ferry from Mackinaw City or St. Ignace for a small additional fee. Both Shepler’s Ferry and Arnold Transit Company allow bikes aboard — just mention it when buying your ticket. Bringing your own means skipping the rental line, which is a real advantage on busy summer weekends.

E-Bike Rules on Mackinac Island

E-bikes are banned on Mackinac Island — the car-free ordinance has been in place since 1898 and extends to electric bicycles. There is one narrow exception: visitors with a qualifying mobility disability under the ADA may use a Class 1 pedal-assist e-bike (no throttle, shuts off at 20 mph, 750 watts or less, with a visible Class 1 manufacturer’s label). Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are prohibited with no exceptions.

E-bikes must be registered in person at the Mackinac Island Police Department ($3.50 fee). Fines start at $110 for a first offense, $210 for a second, and $500 for a third — and non-compliant e-bikes are impounded. The M-185 perimeter route is mostly flat and very manageable on a standard pedal bike, so this doesn’t affect most visitors.

Best Bike Trails on Mackinac Island

M-185 Perimeter Ride — The Must-Do

This is the ride everyone comes for. M-185 is an 8.2-mile paved state highway that loops the entire shoreline of Mackinac Island — and it’s the only state highway in America that prohibits automobiles. The route is mostly flat, beautifully maintained, and gorgeous the whole way: views of Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, the Mackinac Bridge, and the Michigan mainland. Speed limit is 15 mph on M-185 and 10 mph downtown.

At a leisurely pace with photo stops, plan on 60–90 minutes. British Landing at the halfway point has restrooms and snacks. I’ve ridden this route more times than I can count and it never gets old — the light on the water in the late afternoon is genuinely beautiful.

👉 The Lilac Festival in early June is one of the most magical times to ride the perimeter — the whole island is in bloom and the fragrance follows you the entire way. For something different, several shops offer evening rental rates for a night ride under the stars.

Path to Arch Rock

Head north on Fort Street, turn right onto Huron Road, then take the Arch Rock Road spur east. The trail climbs through cool shaded forest before delivering you to one of the most photographed spots in Michigan: Arch Rock, a natural limestone formation that frames a breathtaking view of Lake Huron far below. A viewing platform and restrooms are at the top. A multi-speed bike is helpful for the elevation gain.

Northern Bicycle Trail to Sugar Loaf Rock

From the same Arch Rock approach, turn left onto Garrison Road before the Arch Rock spur. This path leads to Sugar Loaf Rock, a dramatic limestone stack nearly 75 feet tall that rises about 300 feet above the waterline. Climbing is strictly prohibited, but the formation from the ground is one of the island’s most impressive natural sights.

Leslie Road — The Quiet Escape

If you want to escape the crowds entirely, Leslie Road north of the Soldier’s Garden stretches through the island’s quiet interior. You’ll feel miles from the bustle of Main Street with nothing but forest and birdsong. This is Mackinac at its most serene.

Interior Mountain Bike Trails

More than 80% of Mackinac Island is state park land laced with trails. The interior has everything from fast fire roads to challenging single track connecting natural and historic attractions — Skull Cave, Devil’s Kitchen, Sunset Rock. A mountain bike or hybrid rental is recommended. The Upper Peninsula connection via the Straits makes this feel genuinely wild despite the Victorian downtown below.

Biking Rules and Safety Tips

• Speed limits: 15 mph on M-185, 10 mph downtown. Police enforce these and issue citations.
• Right of way: Pedestrians and horses always have the right of way. Keep right, ride single file, look before turning or stopping.
• Steep hills: Some interior roads require walking your bike downhill — signs indicate these. The hills around Grand Hotel and Fort Mackinac are particularly steep.
• Parking: Park within the white line on the street. Do not park on sidewalks or lock bikes to fixed objects.
• Training wheels: Prohibited on Mackinac Island — use a Burley or tag-along for young children instead.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Tours

If biking isn’t your thing — or if you want to understand the island’s history and layout before you explore independently — the horse-drawn carriage tour is the right starting move. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours is the world’s largest horse-and-buggy livery, established in 1946, and the official narrated tour of Mackinac Island State Park. The tour lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and takes you through downtown, past the Grand Hotel, up to Surrey Hills Carriage Museum, with stops at Arch Rock and Fort Mackinac.

I genuinely recommend doing this first when you arrive — it gives you the lay of the land and helps you decide where to spend the rest of your day. You can choose to end your tour at Grand Hotel instead of returning downtown, then walk the famous porch and stroll downhill into town.

• 💰 Tour only: ~$41/adult, ~$17/child ages 5–12, free under 5 on a lap
• 💰 Tour + Wings of Mackinac butterfly conservatory: ~$44/adult
• 📍 Ticket office on Main Street, across from the Arnold Transit ferry dock
• 🌐 mict.com
• ♿ One handicapped-accessible carriage available (1–2 wheelchairs or 1 motorized scooter), first-come first-served

No reservations accepted for public tours. Afternoon tours tend to be less crowded than morning ones. Small dogs welcome on a lap; larger dogs may require purchase of a child ticket.

Drive-It-Yourself Carriages

Want to hold the reins yourself? Jack’s Livery Stable rents drive-yourself horse and buggies — after a brief lesson, you head out on your own. The horse knows the route, so complete beginners can do this. It’s one of the most genuinely fun and unusual things you can do on the island.

• 💰 2-person carriage: ~$110/hr | 4-person: ~$130/hr | 6-person: ~$150/hr
• 📍 7754 Mahoney Ave, Mackinac Island, MI 49757
• ⏰ May through October
• 🌐 jacksliverystable.com

Private Carriage Tours

Both Mackinac Island Carriage Tours and Gough Carriages offer private guided tours with your own driver, taking you to parts of the island not included on the public tour. Good for anniversaries, special occasions, or groups who want a more personal experience.

• 💰 Starting at ~$210/carriage for up to 4 people; additional cost for larger groups up to 8

Horse-Drawn Taxis

Yes, Mackinac Island has taxis — pulled by horses. They’re radio-dispatched and run 24 hours a day during summer season. You cannot hail them on the street; you must call the dispatch office. They’re practical for getting from the ferry dock to a hilltop hotel, or for a late-night return to your lodging after dinner.

• 💰 ~$10/person; kids half-price with an adult
• 📞 (906) 847-3323 — call to dispatch, cannot be hailed on the street

Horseback Riding

Mackinac Island’s dirt trails through the state park are genuinely excellent for horseback riding, and it’s one of the most underused ways to explore the interior. Both Jack’s Livery Stable and Cindy’s Riding Stable offer guided and unguided trail rides.

• 💰 Saddle horse rental: ~$70/hr
• 💰 Private riding lesson: ~$70–$80/hr
• 📍 Jack’s Livery Stable: 7754 Mahoney Ave
• 📍 Cindy’s Riding Stable: Market St

The Mackinac Community Equestrian Center also offers private, semi-private, and group riding lessons, plus pony day camps for kids during summer.

Getting Around on Foot

Don’t underestimate walking. Downtown Mackinac Island is compact and walkable — most shops, restaurants, and fudge shops on Main Street are within easy walking distance of the ferry docks and most hotels. If your plan is a day of shopping, eating, and fudge tasting, you genuinely don’t need a bike or carriage. The boardwalk along the waterfront is lovely, and the historic streets are easy to navigate on foot.

For exploring the state park, Arch Rock, Fort Mackinac, and the more distant natural sights, a bike or carriage is worth it — the hills are real and the distances add up. But as a base for a day trip focused on the village, your feet will carry you far.

Plan Your Mackinac Island Visit

Getting around car-free Mackinac Island is genuinely part of the experience — whether you’re pedaling the perimeter at sunrise, clip-clopping through the state park in a rented carriage, or just walking Main Street with a box of fudge. The lack of motors doesn’t slow you down. It slows everything else down to the pace of a really good vacation.

For everything else you need to plan your trip, see the full Mackinac Island visitors guide and the Mackinac Island hotels guide. Coming by ferry? The Mackinac Island ferry guide covers schedules, prices, and which dock to use from Mackinaw City and St. Ignace.

Frequently Asked Questions