Sight
Skull Cave (Mackinac Island)
Some booking links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We never let this influence which places we recommend.
Skull Cave is a shallow limestone cave on Mackinac Island's limestone bluffs, named after a gruesome discovery of human remains by early European explorers. The cave served as a temporary shelter for Native Americans and, later, British soldiers during the War of 1812. Today, visitors can peer into the dim interior from a boardwalk, with interpretive signs recounting its history. The cave's cool, damp atmosphere and historical significance make it a brief but evocative stop along the island's scenic trails.
Don't miss
- View the cave's interior from the boardwalk and imagine its past as a shelter
- Read the interpretive sign about the legend of the skulls found inside
- Combine with a walk or bike ride along the adjacent limestone bluffs
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Skull Cave (Mackinac Island)
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inOld Mackinac Point Lighthouse Admission4.6★ · 12 travelers1–3 hoursFrom$11 per personSee dates →
Most bookedATV Adventure to Water Cave and Macao Beach in Punta Cana4.8★ · 3,184 travelers~4 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →
Top ratedSena Cruises Lan Ha Bay Boutique Tour 2D1N & 3D2N - All Inclusive4.9★ · 485 travelers~48 hoursFree cancellationFrom$168 per personSee dates →More attractions in Mackinac Island