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| Mackinac Island State Park | |
|---|---|
 Map of Mackinac Island showing the state park boundaries | |
| Location | Mackinac Island, Michigan United States |
| Coordinates | 45°52′N 84°37′W / 45.867°N 84.617°W |
| Area | 2.81 sq mi (7.3 km2) |
| Established | 1875 (Mackinac National Park) 1895 (Mackinac Island State Park) |
| Governing body | Michigan Department of Natural Resources / Mackinac Island State Park Commission |
Mackinac Island State Park | |
| Part of | Mackinac Island (ID66000397[1]) |
| Designated NHLDCP | October 15, 1966 |
Mackinac Island State Park is a state park located on Mackinac Island in the U.S. state of Michigan. A Lake Huron island, it is near the Straits of Mackinac. The island park encompasses 1,800 acres (7.3 km2), which is approximately 80% of the island's total area. The park is also within the boundaries of the city of Mackinac Island and has permanent residents within its boundaries. M-185 circles the perimeter of the park as the only motorless highway in the state due to the island's ban of automobiles.[2] The park is governed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. On July 15, 2009, the park celebrated its 20 millionth visitor.[3]
The park was first established as Mackinac National Park in 1875, which was the third national park established in the United States after Hot Springs National Park & Yellowstone National Park. In 1895, it was transferred to state control and reorganized as Mackinac Island State Park, which was the first state park in Michigan. The park contains many important historical and geological features, such as Fort Mackinac, Fort Holmes, other historic buildings, historic sites, limestone caves, and other unique rock formations. The park also operates the Mackinac Island Airport. Many of these sites are formally operated by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, which also operates two other parks around the Straits of Mackinac area: Colonial Michilimackinac and Historic Mill Creek Discovery Park.
- ^ "NPS Focus". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
- ^ Hutchins, Brian (2005). Michigan's West Coast: Explore the Shore Guide. Roscommon, MI: Abri-Press. p. 177. ISBN 0-9760754-9-0.
- ^ 20 Millionth Visitor Welcomed to Mackinac State Historic Parks July 15, 2009. Archived October 1, 2009, at the Wayback Machine