Late summer · Weather & things to do
Mackinac Island in August
Mackinac Island's warmest month brings highs averaging 72°F (22°C), lows of 60°F (15°C) and about 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain.
It scores 76/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 72°F (22°C)
- Avg low
- 60°F (15°C)
- Rain
- 3.3 in (83 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 62%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 57 min
- Comfort score
- 76/100 · Great
What August feels like
Warm afternoons near 72°F (22°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Nights cool to an average low of 60°F (15°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.3 in (83 mm).
Plan around August
August is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (June and September).
- Last warm month for a while: September highs fall to 66°F.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (August – October), which brings about 11.3 in (288 mm) in total.
- Comfort holds steady from July (76 → 76/100).
- August sits inside the May – Sep window our Great Lakes Hidden Gems route recommends.
- August sits inside the Jun – Sep window our Michigan Lake Shore route recommends.
What to pack for August
- Light, breathable clothes72°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hatstrong sun this month
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.3 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Mackinac Island in August
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Grand Hotel
1887 hotel with the world's longest porch and formal gardens.
Why now August scores 76/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Mackinac Island Bike Shop
Bike rentals for the flat 8-mile M-185 loop around the island shoreline.
Why now Highs near 72°F and 3.3 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Fort Holmes
Island's highest point with views over the Straits and the Mackinac Bridge.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Lake Shore Boulevard (M-185)
Car-free 8.2-mile loop around the island, the only state highway with no cars.
Horn's Gaslight Bar
Saloon on Main Street since 1933 with live music and Southwestern food.
Nearby in August
- Traverse City in August~89 mi · highs 74°F, 3.0 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Sleeping Bear Dunes in August~103 mi · highs 69°F, 3.0 in rain · 1°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Door County in August~138 mi · highs 75°F, 3.3 in rain · 2°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Frankenmuth in August~179 mi · highs 78°F, 3.3 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Mackinac Island in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit Mackinac Island?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 76/100 against a best of 83 in June and September. Expect highs of 72°F (22°C) and 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain. August is inside the May – Sep window our Great Lakes Hidden Gems route recommends.
How hot is Mackinac Island in August?
Average highs are 72°F (22°C) and average lows 60°F (15°C), making it the warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Mackinac Island in August?
Some: about 3.3 in (83 mm) of rain falls across August on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 34.4 in (875 mm).
What should I pack for Mackinac Island in August?
Bring light, breathable clothes (72°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (strong sun this month), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.3 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Mackinac Island
Routes in season in August
- Great Lakes Hidden Gems May – Sep
- Michigan Lake Shore Jun – Sep
Planning Mackinac Island in August?
Share this August plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.