When to visit Mackinac Island without the crowds
Mackinac Island (Michigan, United States) is calmest in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in June, July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, February, March, April, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jun & Sep
When everyone heads home
The week after Labor Day.
Tip
There are no cars on the island: arrive by ferry and get around by bike or carriage.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | -3 °C (27 °F) | New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
| February | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | -2 °C (28 °F) | Presidents Day |
| March | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 2 °C (35 °F) | |
| April | 1/5 · calm ⚠ | 7 °C (44 °F) | |
| May | 2/5 · calm | 14 °C (57 °F) | Memorial Day |
| June | 4/5 · busy | 20 °C (68 °F) | Lilac Festival (June), Juneteenth National Independence Day |
| July | 5/5 · busy | 24 °C (74 °F) | Independence Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 23 °C (73 °F) | |
| September | 3/5 · moderate | 20 °C (67 °F) | Labour Day |
| October | 2/5 · calm | 13 °C (56 °F) | |
| November | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 6 °C (43 °F) | Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 0 °C (33 °F) | Christmas Day |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Most hotels and shops close from November to April, and when the lake freezes you can only get there by small plane.
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Mackinac Island without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually March and April (crowds 1/5). In April the average high is 7 °C (44 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December.
When is Mackinac Island most crowded?
The busiest season is June, July and August. The week after Labor Day.
What is the weather like in Mackinac Island?
Average highs range from -3 °C (27 °F) in January to 24 °C (74 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Mackinac Island?
Most hotels and shops close from November to April, and when the lake freezes you can only get there by small plane.
What festivals are there in Mackinac Island?
The main ones: Lilac Festival (June) (June).
More places in Michigan
- Detroit calm in February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July
- Sleeping Bear Dunes calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August