Roughly 34,000 people participated in the 2026 Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The turnout was on the upper end for recent years, which have ranged from 21,000 to 35,000 since 2018. About 33,000 walked the bridge in the previous year's event.
Clear skies provided exceptional conditions for the walk, which closed the bridge to vehicle traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon. The walk started from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, eliminating the need for busing and providing additional options for participants. Governor Gretchen Whitmer participated in the event.
The annual bridge walk has been held since 1958, with the exception of 2020 when it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2026 walk was the 68th event.