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Michigan
12

Michigan State Parks

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USA Parks
Michigan
Northwest Region
Fort Michilimackinac State Park
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Fort Michilimackinac State Park © Doug Holland
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Storage Rooms © Richard Rynkowski
Storage Building
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Mackinac Bridge © Jim Oakley
view of the Straits Bridge from the lighthouse
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Lighthouse © Jim Oakley
Lighthouse at the Fort
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Near the chapel © Richard Rynkowski
Bungalow near the Chapel
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Dinning Table © Richard Rynkowski
Where we had dinner
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Canon © Richard Rynkowski
Canon on the parade grounds
Fort Michilimackinac State Park View from the porch © Richard Rynkowski
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Dinning Room © Richard Rynkowski
Fort Michilimackinac State Park Cooking Place © Richard Rynkowski
Where most meals were cooked
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FORT MICHILIMACKINAC STATE PARK
FORT MICHILIMACKINAC STATE PARK
History of the Area
Fort Michilimackinac was built by the French on the south shore of the Straits of Mackinac in approximately 1715. Previously, French presence in the Straits area was focused in what is now St. Ignace where Father Marquette established a Jesuit mission in 1671 and Fort de Baude was established around 1683. In 1701, Cadillac moved the French garrison from St. Ignace to Detroit, which led to the closing of the mission and considerably reduced French occupation in the area. Several years later, as the French sought to expand the fur trade, they built Fort Michilimackinac to re-establish a French presence in the Straits area.

Fort Michilimackinac was a strategically located fortified trading post. The fort was not built primarily as a military facility but as a link in the French trade system, which extended from Montreal through the Great Lakes region and northwest to Lake Winnipeg and beyond. Overlooking the Straits of Mackinac connecting Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, the fort served as a supply post for French traders operating in the western Great Lakes region and as a primary stopping-off point between Montreal and the western country. Fort Michilimackinac was an island of French presence on the frontier from which the French carried out the fur trade, sought alliances with native peoples, and protected their interests against the colonial ambitions of other European nations.



In 1761 the French relinquished Fort Michilimackinac to the British who had assumed control of Canada as a result of their victory in the French and Indian War. Under the British, the fort continued to serve as a major fur trade facility. The Ottawa and Chippewa in the Straits area, however, found British policies harsh compared to those of the French and they resented the British takeover. In 1763 as part of Pontiac's Rebellion, a group of Chippewa staged a ball game outside the stockade to create a diversion and gain entrance to the post and then attacked and killed most of the British occupants. The use of Fort Michilimackinac came to an end in 1781 when the British abandoned the post and moved to Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island.
Passes
The Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. Details and information on how to obtain your Michigan Recreation Passport can be found by visiting the MICHIGAN RECREATION PASSPORT web page.
Fishing
Located in Michigan, the park offers fishing opportunities on Lake Huron. Anglers can catch salmon, trout and whitefish here.

The Straits of Mackinac within the park are teeming with lake sturgeon and yellow perch for sportfishing enthusiasts.

Fishing from shore is popular but boat rentals are also available to reach deeper waters where bigger fish reside.

Ice fishing during winter months provides a unique experience while targeting species like walleye or northern pike under frozen water surfaces.

Remember that all anglers must have a valid Michigan Fishing License before casting their lines into these productive waters.


Location
Fort Michilimackinac State Park is located near Cheboygan

Picnicking
Fort Michilimackinac State Park offers picnic tables and grills, perfect for a family outing. No alcohol is allowed in the park.

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Area Campgrounds
Mackinaw City, Mackinaw Island KOA
566 Trailsend Road
Mackinaw City, MI
Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping
9730 US 23
Mackinaw City, MI
231-436-7380
Lakeshore Park
W 1234 Point LaBarbe Road
St. Ignace, MI
Nearby Hotels
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Michigan
12

Michigan State Parks

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