“I bear the load so men may ride / On rainbow road to happiness. The light gleams on my strands and bars / In glory when the sun goes down. I lift a net to hold the stars / And wear the sunset as my crown.” – From The Song of the Bridge by David B. Steinman, Mackinac Bridge designer and engineer
The Mackinac Bridge Walk, held annually on Labor Day, is one of those Michigan “bucket list” items whether you’re a native Michigander or transplant to the state.
Back in 2021, we decided to cross it off the bucket list.
The Mackinac Bridge, also called the “Mighty Mac,” draws oohs and aahs whenever you drive over it. So, getting the chance to walk the bridge and see it up close and personal is a really unique experience.
The Bridge Walk takes some pre-planning and even then, many people seemed confused on the day of the walk. I booked a campsite at Straits State Park six months in advance (as soon as reservations opened), so we wouldn’t have to worry about parking.
Rise and shine for Mackinac Bridge Walk
We woke up in a tent the size of a doghouse to the sounds of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s voice and “R.O.C.K. in the USA” echoing into the air. I was surprised we could hear it from the campground.
I’m not a morning person – at least not a wake up before dawn person. So, I guess it’s a good thing Whitmer was there bright and early to rally the troops and get the party started.
I fought my way out of the tent and stumbled to the restroom to brush my teeth, wash my face, and put on a little makeup. We made a quick cup of coffee, had a snack, and headed off to walk the Mighty Mac.
It’s a good thing because the bridge is only shut down until noon. If you don’t get an early start, you are SOL.
We probably started by 9 a.m. and had enough time to walk to the halfway point and turn around. But, even then, the many police officers told us to keep it moving and we needed to head back.
On the walk back, we encountered many people who started too late and had to turn around. Others were planning to cross the entire bridge but didn’t have time to do a double cross or a plan to get back. They were on the phone trying to figure out a ride back.
Mackinac Bridge engineering marvel
Opened in 1957, the Mackinac Bridge spans the Straits of Mackinac, a body of water connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. It is the longest suspension bridge in the Western hemisphere.
Fast facts:
- Endearingly known as the “Mighty Mac” or “Big Mac”
- Connects Michigan’s Lower and Upper Peninsulas
- Seventh-longest suspension bridge in the world by total suspended length
- Bridge opened to traffic on November 1, 1957
- Bridge has the fourth-longest side spans in the world
- Total length of the Mackinac Bridge is 26,372 feet
- Roadway height at mid-span is approximately 200 feet above water level
- It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet (east or west) due to high winds
For more interesting facts, visit mackinacbridge.org/history/facts-figures
Watch the live webcam here: mackinacbridge.org/fares-traffic/bridge-cam
Michigan Labor Day tradition
Besides being an engineering feat, the Mackinac Bridge transformed the state’s economy, especially tourism, by allowing vehicles to easily travel between the two peninsulas.
The Mackinac Bridge Walk began in late June of 1958, when 68 people walked across the bridge during its dedication ceremony.
Organizers moved the walk to Labor Day in 1959. The St. Ignace to Mackinaw City (north-to-south) route became a constant in 1964. There have been various changes through the years, including closing the bridge to traffic while the walk is going on for safety reasons.
In an average year, 40,000 to 65,000 people participate in the 5-mile walk, either walking to the midpoint and turning around or crossing the entire bridge in one direction.
The walk has only been canceled once, in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the 65th annual walk drew an estimated 35,000 participants, the largest crowd in seven years.
Tips for a successful Mackinac Bridge walk
The Bridge Walk is a Labor Day tradition, but it seems that the Mackinac Bridge Authority makes small changes each year.
Here are my best tips for a successful walk:
- Book your hotel or campsite early. Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest weekends in the Straits area. I would recommend arriving on Sunday and also booking Labor Day night, so you are not in a rush to check out of your hotel or pack up your campsite.
- Look for accommodations within walking distance of the bridge. It eliminates a lot of stress and time. You do not have to worry about where to park. I think Straits State Park on the St. Ignace side is an ideal location because there is a trail that goes right to the bridge.
Do your research
- Do your research and know before you go. Check the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s website and visit the walk page for the latest announcements.
For example, it clearly states:
No bus transportation across the bridge will be provided as part of the event. Walkers who decide to walk across the entire bridge will need to arrange their own transportation back to the end of the bridge where they started after the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon. There is limited parking space available west of the Mackinac Bridge Authority plaza area.
The website also states that the ferry companies offer transportation between St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island. However, this year, Shepler’s is not providing ferry service directly between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City.
Local transportation companies also offer shuttle service between various locations.
Early bird gets the worm
- Get an early start, especially if you want to walk the whole bridge or double cross.
Per the Bridge Authority:
- The walk begins at 7 a.m.
- You can start after the governor’s party starts the walk at approximately 7 a.m.
- Walkers who do not reach the midpoint of the bridge before 10 a.m. will be turned back.
- No one will be permitted to start after 11:30 a.m., so make sure you arrive early.
- Be prepared. Remember you are walking across a 5-mile suspension bridge and the weather and wind conditions can change. We were fortunate to have beautiful September weather.
- Watch the weather and dress accordingly. Wear layers if you start early because it can go from cool to hot or clear to rain.
- Pack a small backpack with essentials – water, sunscreen, snacks, and a rain jacket or windbreaker.
- Limit your fluids and coffee if you have a bad bladder. There is no restroom on the bridge.
Check the list of prohibited items, including animals other than working service dogs. Signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, and wagons are not allowed.
Reflections after the Bridge Walk
The morning goes quickly, so I regret not booking two nights at the state park campground. We rushed back to pack up our campsite and head for the ferry to Mackinac Island where relaxation awaited.
However, it’s definitely worth doing once and I can see why some families make it a tradition. Besides physically walking the bridge, it’s neat to see everything up close and personal – from the grates on the roadway to the towering cables. You are out in the elements, high above the Straits of Mackinac.
It was also neat to see the show of police officers and helicopters flying over.
The Mackinac Bridge Walk remains a free event that promotes Michigander pride and draws thousands of visitors to the region. The community gathering helps send-off summer with one last hurrah.
The walk unites us. It celebrates our quality of life and the beauty of the Straits region.
Even more, the Mackinac Bridge Walk shows off the remarkable size and features of the bridge as well as offers amazing views of the Straits of Mackinac. We love Mackinac Island, so you get to see it from a different vantage point.
One year, we camped at Straits State Park for three nights and had a view of the Mighty Mac from our campsite. I would sit and admire the bridge. We watched wild cloud formations roll in and the lights at night.
The nonstop flow of traffic serves as a good reminder how vital the Mighty Mac is to Michigan. And the spiritual quality of the Straits of Mackinac and surrounding islands reminds us why Native Americans loved it there. Indeed, the Straits area is a relaxing place to vacation.
Other Labor Day bridge walks
If you cannot make it to the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day, have no fear: You can still participate in a Labor Day bridge walk.
The tradition has taken hold with spin-off walks in communities across the state. Check out the list in northern Michigan, including Bellaire, Elk Rapids, Charlevoix, Leland, and Glen Arbor. In West Michigan, Grand Haven hosts a walk over the Third Street Bridge to Waterfront Stadium.
Last year, we did the Bridge Walk over the Cold Creek in Beulah, Michigan. It was a total hoot, complete with a ceremony commemorating Archibald Jones and the sesquicentennial of the lowering of Crystal Lake. That’s a post for another day…
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in West Michigan. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Let me help grow your business. Check out my Writing Services or Read My Work.
