Fort Holmes

Fort Holmes stands on the highest ground of Mackinac Island, a hill that has been strategically valuable for centuries. The British built a small earthwork fort here during the War of 1812, naming it Fort George, and the Americans, after retaking the island, renamed it Fort Holmes in honor of an officer killed in a battle nearby. Today a reconstructed blockhouse and earthwork outline stand where the original defenses once guarded the island and its harbor. The view is the reason many people make the climb. From the top you can see the Straits of Mackinac, the Mackinac Bridge on the horizon, the green island interior, the rooftops of the town and the larger fort below. On a clear day the sightlines reach across Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, and you understand immediately why every army wanted this hill. The site is part of Mackinac State Historic Parks, which also operates the larger Fort Mackinac on the bluff above the harbor. Reaching Fort Holmes is part of the experience. Trails lead up from behind Fort Mackinac, from Arch Rock and from the island's central trail network, so you can choose a short, steeper climb or a longer, gentler forest walk.

History runs deep here. The island was a vital trading and military post long before the War of 1812, and control of it meant control of the upper Great Lakes fur trade. In July 1812 a British and Native force took the island from the American garrison, and in 1814 an American attempt to retake it failed in a battle on the island's northern side.

The Americans regained the island after the war, and Fort Holmes was abandoned. The reconstructed blockhouse you see now helps visitors imagine the lookout post, and signs explain the sequence of events.

Plan your visit around fitness and time. The walk from downtown is a real climb, taking about thirty to forty minutes up, and the return is easier. Wear good shoes, carry water and take your time on loose gravel. If you want something less strenuous, many visitors take the carriage tour, which reaches the heights via road, though stops and routes vary. Cyclists can leave bikes at designated points and walk the last stretch.

The site is usually accessible in the main season without a separate fee, though rules and hours can change, so check the park's current guidance. Because there is no shade at the top on hot days, bring sunscreen or a hat. Benches and the blockhouse give some respite, and sunset visitors often find the light beautiful, though you must be careful descending in dim conditions.

Make it a loop. A popular route goes from downtown to Fort Holmes, across to Arch Rock and then down to the shoreline road for a ride or a stroll back. That covers history, panoramic views and natural scenery in one half-day.