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 Arch Rock one of Mackinac Island's signature geologic formations located on the east shore. Mackinac Island State Park InterpretationMackinac State Historic Parks uses a blend of interpretive styles to educate and entertain Mackinac Island State Park visitors. The state park is approximately 1,800 acres which covers 80 percent of Mackinac Island. Mackinac Island State Park is the only free state park in Michigan. Within the park, the public has access to a free orientation center, nature trails, bicycle paths, horseback riding trails, boardwalks, spectacular geologic limestone formations, outdoor sculpture, 1814 battlefield, post cemetary, a reconstructed 1670s bark chapel and Fort Holmes at the top of Mackinac Island.
 Looking at the Coast Guard Station from Marquette Park. Mackinac Island State Park Orientation CenterThe park's orientation and initial interpretation is presented in a free visitor's center located in the historic 1915 Coast Guard Station at the east end of town on the harbor's edge. Inside the state park's orientation center. Orientation CenterInside the free orientation center, park visitors will find park interpretation by means of an audio-visual program, large wall graphics of late 19th-century photographs of island life, interpretive panels and exhibit cubes with artifacts. The orientation center also includes a museum store and rest rooms for the public. One of the many nature trails in the state park. Roads and TrailsThere are 61 miles of roads and trails within Mackinac Island State Park, most of which are wooded inland trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders in spring, summer and fall. Many interior eastern trails are groomed and excellent for cross-country skiing during the winter. Sugar Loaf stands 75 feet high. In Native American lore Sugar Loaf was the home of the Great Spirit. Spectacular Geologic FormationsWithin the state park are several spectacular geologic limestone formations that are popular free public attractions. The formations include Arch Rock, Sugar Loaf, Devil's Kitchen, Skull Cave, Cave of the Woods, Crack in the Island, and the most recent park acquisition in 2002, Sunset Rock. A bird's eye view of Marquette Park from Fort Mackinac. Marquette ParkMarquette Park, at the foot of Fort Mackinac, is a green space central to the state park and dedicated in 1909 as a park for the people. Historically this area once served Fort Mackinac as a garden and pasture land. Today it is a wonderful park by the harbor open to the public for rest and relaxation before or after discovering the rest of the state park and island. Marquette Park has hsitoric monuments, a reconstructed 1670s bark chapel, play equipment for children and a beautiful collection of lillac trees. The Marquette Monument is periodically conserved by Venus Bronze Works of Detroit. Marquette MonumentA focal point to Marquette Park is the Marquette Monument. This monument is a wonderful heroic bronze sculpted by Gaetano Trentanove from Florence, Italy. The monument was unveiled September 9, 1909. The monument is one of several pieces of outdoor sculpture on Mackinac Island. To read more about the monument, limited copies of the park's vignette on the Marquette Monument are available for purchase.
 The state historical marker on British Landing Road by the battle site. 1814 BattlefieldVisitors to the park can venture towards the middle of the island and find the 1814 battlefield on Mackinac Island. A state historical marker identifies this historic place. Most of the battlefield is part of the Wawashkamo Golf Course but visitors can stroll east of British Landing Road and view a secluded bronze plaque on a memorial stone commemorating the battlefield.To read more about the War of 1812 and island's role during the conflict, the Mackinac State Historic Parks sells a publication focusing on the island's wartime history.
 Entry to the Post Cemetery off of Garrison Road. Post CemeteryThe post cemetery dates to the mid - 1820s and is nestled in a forest about a half mile north of Fort Mackinac. It contains about 108 burials which include soldiers' wives, children, and grandchildren. Thelast burials were in 1892. The cemetery is open to the public. Further information can be obtained through a park vignette on Mackinac Island's Post Cemetery.
 1670s Bark Chapel reconstruction. 1670s Bark ChapelA 1670s bark chapel reconstruction is free to the public located in the northwest corner of Marquette Park as visitors walk up Fort Street to Fort Mackinac. The reconstruction has a period setting inside of what a 1670s Jesuit Chapel might look like. Entry to Fort Holmes. Fort HolmesHigh atop of Mackinac Island is a basic reconstruction of Fort Holmes. The fort is open to the public to walk around and into. From the top of the island visitors can imagine how the British were able to easily capture Fort Mackinac in the War of 1812 from this vantage point. The site has a clear view of Fort Mackinac below. Take time to soak in the beautiful panaromic view from the top of Mackinac Island. To learn more about the history of Fort Holmes, the park sells a publication about the fort available for purchase.
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