Visiting Round Island
Visiting Round Island
Of course, you recognize the familiar Round Island lighthouse. Every visitor to Mackinac Island recognizes the lighthouse.
The much-photographed red and white structure stands a beacon in the Straits of Mackinac, directly to the south of Mackinac Island.
Have you ever visited Round Island, though? Or do you know Round Island's history?
The Round Island Wilderness Area, part of the Hiawatha National Forest, is 378 acres of dense forest, made up of white cedar, tamarack, maple, and other familiar Michigan trees. By comparison, Mackinac Island is 2,200 acres in size.
Stretching along Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the Hiawatha National Forest is nearly 900,000 acres. Wildlife, including whitetail deer and many birds of prey, such as hawks, eagles, and owls, are at home on Round Island. Otter and mink navigate the rocks and shore on Round Island too.
There are no structures other than the lighthouse and the small sheds nearby, because Round Island is uninhabited. You may camp, though campers are required to pack out whatever they pack in, with stays in one campsite limited to no more than two weeks.
Adventurous kayakers can visit Round Island with Great Turtle Kayak Tours. Our three-hour tours also allow time to land the boats and explore by foot. The Round Island tour is dependent on paddling experience and of course weather. Paddlers looking to gain experience for a Round Island adventure, can get this with one our Mackinac-side excursions, such as the Arch Rock tour. Great Turtle Kayak guides are also featured paddling past the Round Island lighthouse at sunset on the cover of the 2014 Pure Michigan Travel Guide, as well as part of the same guide's current Mackinac Island feature.
The lighthouse, built in 1895 by Detroit carpenter Frank Rounds, first illuminated the Straits in 1896. William Marshall served as first light keeper, working until 1906. In 1924 the beacon was automated, and in 1947, when the automated light was constructed at Mackinac Island, the Round Island light was decommissioned. In 1958, the lighthouse became part of the Hiawatha National Forest, saving it from demolition, but not from disrepair due to neglect.
From the 1970s through today, thanks to the efforts of preservationists, the Round Island Lighthouse is once again lighting the way through the Straits of Mackinac for commercial vessels, including Mackinac Island ferry boats as well as the many freighters that pass her shores.
Almost every visitor to the Straits of Mackinac recognizes the Round Island lighthouse. Now you can impress your fellow travelers with a few of the key facts about the familiar building and its location.
Glen Young, kayak guide, ski instructor, and long time Mackinac Island seasonal resident.