Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk

The Mackinac Bridge Walk is the event that truly signals the end of summer in Michigan and now we have details about what's happening for this year's walk.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority released all of the information for the 2024 walk on July 10, and there are a few changes to be aware of this year - mainly, that the starting point on the St. Ignace side of the bridge has changed. The Bridge Authority has decided to move the starting point on the north end of the bridge from the Mackinac Bridge Authority building to Bridge View Park to cut down on the amount of people walking across I-75.

Your Route Options for the Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk 2024

As always, this year's walk will take place on Labor Day, which falls on September 2, 2024. The walk will take place from 6:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. (And the bridge will be closed to vehicle traffic.

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Now, the tricky part for the past few years, and continuing this year, is that there will not be bussing shuttling folks back and forth across the bridge, so you're going to want to choose the walk option that works best for you.

Option 1: Start walking from your preferred side of the bridge and then turn around at the midpoint and return to where you started. This will ensure that you will end the walk where your vehicle is (or near there). Keep in mind that if you want to go this route, you need to be back on the side of the bridge that you want to finish the walk on no later than 10 a.m.

Option 2: Walk the entire bridge. If you walked the bridge years ago, this is how it was done (but that was also when they had bus transportation back to the other side. If you decide to go this route, you have a couple of options. One, you can have your own transportation figured out on that side of the bridge (but you won't be able to drive back across until after the bridge reopens.) Two, the local ferry companies offer transportation between St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, but you'll want to check with them to see what the stipulations are.

Option 3: Walk the entire bridge - twice. It's certainly doable, though it is a 10-mile roundtrip walk. But, you're going to want to make sure that you do a quick turnaround because if you aren't on the side of the bridge that you want to end on by 10 a.m., walk officials will make you turn around and go back the other way.

Do I Get a Medal or Award For Completing the Mackinac Bridge Walk?

Not really? There's no fee or registration needed to do the walk, but you'll get a numbered bridge walk certificate at the end of your walk.

Things To Keep In Mind When Participating in the Mackinac Bridge Walk

First and foremost - there are no bathrooms on the bridge. If you're the type of person who needs to use the facilities often, maybe this isn't the event for you.

Another thing to keep in mind is the things that aren't allowed to be taken onto the bridge. These include umbrellas, wagons, banners, signs, and more.

Animals are also not allowed on the bridge unless they are registered working service dogs. Smoking is also prohibited on the bridge.

Strollers and wheelchairs are allowed.

And remember, this is a walk. Running is not permitted unless you are participating in the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Run (which you can register for here.)

You can get all of the details and start planning your trip up north on the Mackinac Bridge Authority's website.

Want to learn more about how the bridge was made? Check out these photos below.