Straits State Park
Overview: Camping with Mackinac Bridge Views
Perched on the northern shore of the Straits of Mackinac in the city of St. Ignace, the 181-acre Straits State Park occupies one of the most scenically privileged locations in the entire Michigan state park system. From its campground, hiking trails, and observation platforms, the park delivers unobstructed, jaw-dropping views of the Mackinac Bridge—the 5-mile-long suspension bridge that spans the Straits of Mackinac to connect Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Watching the bridge lights illuminate at dusk from your campsite, with the dark waters of the Straits below and the lights of Mackinaw City twinkling on the far shore, is one of the most memorable camping experiences in the Midwest.
Established in 1924—three decades before the Mackinac Bridge was even built—Straits State Park has evolved from a simple shoreline campground into a multi-dimensional recreation destination that combines spectacular bridge views, the Father Marquette National Memorial, access to the North Country National Scenic Trail, and convenient proximity to St. Ignace’s ferry services to Mackinac Island.
The Bridge View
The Mackinac Bridge—commonly called “Mighty Mac”—is a 26,372-foot (4.99 mile) suspension bridge that opened in 1957, connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas across the Straits of Mackinac. It is one of the longest suspension bridges in the Western Hemisphere and one of the most iconic structures in the United States.
From Straits State Park, the bridge dominates the southern horizon like a piece of engineered art suspended between sky and water. The view is spectacular at any time but reaches its zenith during two moments: sunset, when the bridge is silhouetted against the western sky in shades of orange and purple; and after dark, when the bridge’s cable lights create a luminous arc across the Straits that is visible for miles.
Two Campgrounds, 250+ Sites
Upper Campground
Situated on higher ground with larger, more open sites. Many accommodating pull-through access for large RVs and trailers. Electrical service includes 20/30/50-amp options. The upper campground offers a more open, sunny character and is preferred by larger rigs.
Lower Campground
Located closer to the Straits shoreline with the park’s most coveted feature: direct bridge views from select waterfront campsites. The lower campground’s sites are generally smaller and more intimate, nestled among trees with filtered or open views of the water and bridge. Some waterfront sites are semi-modern (no electrical hookups), preserving a more rustic character. Two accessible mini-cabins are also located in the lower east loop.
Father Marquette National Memorial
Situated within the park, the Father Marquette National Memorial commemorates the life and explorations of Father Jacques Marquette (1637–1675), the French Jesuit missionary and explorer who established the first European settlement at St. Ignace in 1671. Marquette’s explorations—particularly his 1673 expedition with Louis Jolliet down the Mississippi River—were instrumental in European understanding of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River systems.
The memorial features an outdoor interpretive walkway with panels documenting Marquette’s life and journeys, set in a contemplative landscape of native plantings and forest overlooking the Straits. The site provides historical context for the broader significance of the Straits of Mackinac as a crossroads of Indigenous, French, British, and American cultures.
North Country Trail
Straits State Park provides access to the North Country National Scenic Trail—a 4,600+-mile footpath stretching from Vermont to North Dakota, the longest National Scenic Trail in the United States. The trail section through and near the park passes through forested terrain with overlook opportunities, connecting hikers to the vast trail network that extends across the Upper Peninsula.
Gateway to Mackinac Island
St. Ignace is one of two departure points for the ferry services to Mackinac Island—the car-free, historically preserved island in the Straits that is one of Michigan’s most popular tourist destinations. Star Line and Shepler’s ferries operate from the St. Ignace waterfront, approximately 5 minutes from the park, providing multiple daily departures during the season.
Seasonal Guide
Spring (May–June)
Campground opens. Bridge views are at their clearest. Spring bird migration along the Northern Huron Birding Trail. Water temperatures in the Straits remain very cold.
Summer (July–August)
Peak season. Full campground occupancy—reserve well in advance. Ferry service to Mackinac Island at peak frequency. Father Marquette Memorial fully staffed.
Autumn (September–October)
Fall color transforms the park’s forested areas. The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk (Labor Day) draws tens of thousands. Campground availability improves dramatically after Labor Day.
Winter (November–March)
Campground closed. The Straits freeze in severe winters, with dramatic ice formations visible from shoreline viewpoints. The bridge against a winter sky is starkly beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the Mackinac Bridge from my campsite? Yes—select sites in the lower campground offer direct bridge views. These are the most popular and competitive sites in the park; reserve as early as possible.
How do I get to Mackinac Island? Ferry services (Star Line and Shepler’s) depart from the St. Ignace waterfront, approximately 5 minutes from the park. Multiple daily departures during the season (approximately May through October).
What is the Father Marquette Memorial? An outdoor interpretive site within the park commemorating the French Jesuit missionary-explorer who established the first European settlement at St. Ignace in 1671.
Is the North Country Trail accessible from the park? Yes. The park provides access to the North Country National Scenic Trail, a 4,600+-mile footpath stretching from Vermont to North Dakota.
