Round Island is an uninhabited island in Mackinac County, Michigan, situated within the Straits of Mackinac that joins Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The island encompasses an area of 378 acres (153 hectares) and is almost absolutely part of the Round Island Wilderness within Hiawatha National Forest.
Adjacent to Mackinac Island, Round Island offers a few safety to Mackinac Island's harbor. Visitors traveling by ferry to Mackinac Island skip near Round Island.
The 1980 film "Somewhere in Time" was commonly filmed on Mackinac Island. In the movie, Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour walk near the lighthouse, which subsequently won a reputation because of its look in the film.
Map of Round Island, Michigan
| Name | Round Island |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| Coordinates | 45°49′47″N 84°36′05″W |
| Area | 1.53 km2 (0.59 sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| Population | 0 |
| Airport | N/A |
Round Island Lighthouse
The Round Island Lighthouse is located on a sandy spit extending from Round Island into the slim channel between Round Island and Mackinac Island. Visitors to the island are prohibited from getting into the lighthouse.
This iconic lighthouse was constructed in 1895 at a price of $15,000 and was commissioned by the United States Lighthouse Board on May 15, 1896. In 1924, the lighthouse changed to computerized, and the USA Coast Guard assumed obligation for all lighthouses in 1939.
The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1947 and transferred to the US Forest Service in 1958. Its lighting era has evolved from oil to electricity.
Currently, the lighthouse is powered by solar cells and batteries. The ground floor is basically used for storing equipment particles, even as the second and 1/3 floors serve as residing quarters for the lighthouse keeper and their circle of relatives all through the transport season.
The Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, a nonprofit corporation in Michigan, is dedicated to the renovation of the lighthouse and its surrounding vicinity. Additionally, Boy Scout Troop 323 of the Lake Huron Area Council in Freeland, Michigan, assists with summer season cleaning and protection sports.
What Things to Do on Round Island
Round Island lacks docks, roads, or developed hiking trails. It is available by boat in the summertime and requires crossing ice in the iciness. The island contains numerous historical and prehistoric websites.
It is rumored that the Massasauga rattlesnake inhabits the island. You may stumble upon white-tailed deer, raccoons, red squirrels, foxes, rabbits, and the occasional black bear. Additionally, diverse songbirds and waterfowl are standard on the island. The surrounding lake waters are domestic to trout, pike, salmon, and different freshwater fish.
Although the island offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday lifestyles, you can enjoy nearby views of the bustling Mackinac Island and the mainland's lights.
Throughout the island, the sounds of busy visitors from Huron Lake freighters, industrial ferries, and yachts may be heard.
Round Island is covered in poison ivy, so it is advisable to wear long pants to protect against the plant and biting insects. Carrying insect repellent is also a good idea, as the densely forested interior of the island can be particularly buggy. Bringing a small shovel is recommended to ensure you leave no trace during your visit.
How to Get to Round Island
Round Island can best be reached by boat, with the nearest public docks located in St. Ignace, Hessel, and Mackinaw City. If you're piloting your vessel to Round Island, make sure to test the weather and become aware of the great anchorage. Alternatively, you can arrange a charter to move you from Mackinac Island or close by mainland communities.
