How to experience the Mackinac Bridge Walk

On Labor Day, people have the chance to experience one of Michigan’s most unique traditions — walking across the Mackinac Bridge.

Here’s what you need to know about this year’s walk:

What is the Mackinac Bridge Walk?

The Mackinac Bridge spans for five miles across the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. Labor Day is the only day of the year when the bridge allows pedestrians to cross the bridge on foot.

Thousands of people will make the trek on Monday, Sept. 1. The walk begins at 7 a.m., and no one will be allowed to start after 11:30 a.m. You can start the walk from either St. Ignace at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge, or in Mackinaw City at the south end.

There are three ways to participate:

• Walk from either end of the bridge, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city you started from. The turnaround points will move towards the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if they start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m. or they will be turned back.

• Walk from either end of the bridge and continue across to the other side. Bus transportation across the bridge will not be provided, so walkers who choose this option will need to arrange for their own transportation back across the bridge. Walkers who do not reach the midpoint of the bridge before 10 a.m. will be turned back.

• Walk from either end of the bridge, continuing across to the other side, then walking back to the end of the bridge you started from. This option will mean a 10-mile round trip for participants. If walkers in this option do not reach the midpoint of the bridge on their return trip by 10 a.m., they will be turned back.

The bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon during the event. There is no fee or registration required to participate.

History of the walk

The first Labor Day bridge walk took place in 1958, less than a year after the Mackinac Bridge was opened. It was meant as a way to celebrate the completion of the project as well as to recognize the work of the engineers who built the bridge.

Since 1959, the walk has taken place on Labor Day every year, except for during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In past years, the walk has hosted more than 30,000 people.

Subscribe: Get unlimited access to our content

Rules and how to prepare for the walk

Depending on which option they pick, participants should prepare for either a five- or 10-mile walk. If needed, they should also prepare transportation back across the bridge once vehicle traffic resumes.

There is no quick way to exit the bridge once on it, so walkers should bring water bottles and plan bathroom breaks accordingly. The average length of time to walk the bridge is about two hours.

Baby strollers and wheelchairs are allowed on the bridge during the walk. Signs, banners, umbrellas, bicycles, roller skates, skateboards, wagons and animals are not allowed. Exceptions are made for service dogs. No running or racing is permitted on the bridge. Playing tag on the bridge is not permitted, and no smoking is allowed on the bridge.

Individuals under age 18 should have the permission of a parent or guardian to participate in the walk. Walkers will receive a participation certificate at either end of the bridge.

The Michigan State Police and other official personnel will be available in the event of an emergency, and the inside lane in both directions will remain open for emergency vehicles.

For more information on the bridge walk, visit mackinacbridge.org/events/walk.

— Contact Brendan Wiesner: BWiesner@Sooeveningnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Sault News: How to experience the 2025 Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day