Shepler’s Ferry Freight Services

Businesses rely on the timely delivery of essential goods.  Without it, they’re dead in the water.  Since 1996, Shepler’s has been keeping coastal businesses on the great lakes afloat with reliable, on-time shopping of everything from heavy machinery to household goods.  Our conscientious and thorough receiving system, secured quality storage facilities and set-your-watch-to-it door to door delivery are hallmarks of the Shepler name.

Serving the Mackinac Straits area as well as all of the upper Great Lakes for 70 years, Shepler’s knows how to deliver the goods.  We offer bulk rates, flat rate fees and heavy equipment including class I, class II and class III.  Take a look at some of the products and equipment we are happy to ship for you!

Bulk: building supplies and tools, food and beverages, glass, hay horse feed, household supplies, landscaping materials, lawn equipment and supplies, clothing and more.

Flat Rate: bikes, carriages and sleighs, carts, flowers, hazardous materials, returns, snowmobiles, trailers, golf carts, kayaks and more.

Heavy Equipment: All motor vehicle permits must be obtained from the City of Mackinac Island and from the Mackinac Island State Park.  From there, they are placed into a class.  Class I contains cars, pickups and vans.  Class II contains diggers, backhoes, black toppers, rollers, dump trucks, dozers, and excavators.  Class III includes propane semi.

In addition to Freight services, Shepler’s Ferry is also a popular attraction for the whole family!  We transport more than 350,000 visitors to Mackinac Island every year.  Mackinac Island, rich in national history and natural beauty, is an area that provides guests a unique experience but half the fun is riding there on a Shepler’s boat.  With the addition of a brand new vessel, we are excited to make the next 70 years just as fast, friendly, and clean as the first!  Come experience why our motto is First Class Service, Every Guest, Every Day.

To view our rates and fees, visit us online or give us a call at 800-828-6157!

The Story Behind "Undefeated"

Have you wondered about the story behind the three generation family owned business of Shepler's Ferry? If so, then check out the article by Dr. Jessie Voigts on her blog talking about "Undefeated" a true story about hard work, creativity, family and community ties to Mackinac Island.

The book will enlighten you, make you appreciate the beauty of Mackinac Island if you don't already know and become inspired by a three generation family business that revolves around the community.

Check out our website to order the book "Undefeated". It's a perfect table top book or present for friends and family.

Meet Miss Margy – Shepler’s Newest Addition!

Since 1945, Shepler’s Ferry has been transporting people to Mackinac Island with modern technology, a well-trained staff and a growing fleet.  With the addition of our latest vessel, we are pleased to announce a brand new ferry to our fleet, Miss Margy.  Named after Bill Shepler’s mother, Margaret, Miss Margy is the first ferry to be built in Northern Michigan!

This state-of-the-art, 281-passenger ferry is 85-feet long and is worth $3.8 million.  Built by Moran Iron Works, the construction of Miss Margy includes products and services from 20 Michigan Companies.  Miss Margy represents the best of what makes Michigan great – local business partnering to achieve a strong economy.  Shepler’s new investment will have a great impact on the local economy, helping to continue the job growth in this region for years to come.

When you take a ride to Mackinac Island on Miss Margy, you can expect the latest innovations and excitement from this ferry.  Miss Margy features an air-conditioned cabin, as well as a ventilation system to remove interior condensation from windows during inclement weather.  With a top speed of about 40 miles per hour, Miss Margy hopes to take off this September!

Shepler’s Ferry is a popular attraction for the whole family!  We transport more than 350,000 visitors to Mackinac Island every year.  Mackinac Island, rich in national history and natural beauty, is an area that provides guests a unique experience but half the fun is riding there on a Shepler’s boat!  With the addition of Miss Margy, we are excited to make the next 70 years just as fast, friendly and clean as the first! 

To learn more about Miss Margy and her maiden voyage, visit our website and like us on Facebook!

Experience the Adventure of Shepler’s Ferry and Mackinac Island

Located off Michigan in Lake Huron, Mackinac Island is an island suspended in time.  Enjoy the simplicity and joy of life with this old-time island.  Home to one of America’s oldest established national parks, Mackinac Island State Park consumes over 80 percent of the island and is open to visitors all year round.  Explore the national history and natural beauty that Mackinac Island has to offer including an array of activities to do and things to see.

Mackinac Island’s incredible nature offers the perfect setting for hiking, biking, kayaking, boating, sailing and more.  Want to learn about the rich history of the island?  Explore the indoor activities including art exhibitions, museums and St. Anne’s Church.  After a long day of adventure, relax with movies, shopping, dining and more.  There is something for everyone from the outdoor rugged terrain, magnificent coastal views and carriage tours to the fine dining and nightlife.  With vibrant attractions and breathtaking scenery at every turn, there truly is no place like Mackinac Island.

In order to discover everything that Mackinac Island has to offer, take the Shepler’s Ferry to the island!  Just a short 16-minute boat ride, enjoy an exciting adventure on one of the Shepler’s Ferry vessels.  We depart from the Mackinaw City Dock and St. Ignace at all times of day.  Join our passengers and you’ll see why half the fun of the Mackinac Island experience is the ride over with Shepler’s Ferry.

For over 70 years, Shepler’s Ferry has been happily taking guests to Mackinac Island with the motto: First class service, every guest, every day.  Our experience has allowed us to learn firsthand what it takes to do the job to the highest standards.  With the tradition of giving the best possible service with a smile, our modern technology and well-employed staff will start your Mackinac adventure off with a bang!

To learn more about the fun that Shepler’s Ferry and Mackinac Island has to offer, visit our website.  We can’t wait to celebrate 70 years of transportation to Mackinac Island with you!

Shepler's 70th Birthday Party on June 28th

In 1954, Captain William H. Shepler realized the potential to transport people back and forth from Mackinac Island. 70 years later, Shepler's Ferry is still transporting people to the Island but with a new fleet, modern technology, a well-trained staff, and a smile. Celebrating our anniversary, Shepler's Ferry has moved onto its third generation of ownership and the future looks promising! With the addition of a brand new vessel, we are excited to make the next few years just as a fast, friendly, and clean as the first!

At Shepler's Ferry, we want you to help us celebrate 70 years of being family owned and operated! In honor of our 70th birthday, we're buying you lunch to thank you for the support that our customers have given us over the years. Join us on June 28th for hotdogs, chips and soda pop for the whole family! We will also have fun activities for the kids including a bounce house on the Sacre Bleu. 

In addition to free lunch and activities, Big Country 102.9 will be here doing a live remote broadcast with plenty of door prizes! If you plan on joining us for this special anniversary, please RSVP on our Facebook page  in our "Events" tab. Let us know that you are coming and feel free to invite your family and friends – the more the merrier!

The party will be help on our Mackinaw City Dock and on the Sacre Bleu. Mackinac Island, rich in national history and natural beauty, is an area that provides guests with a unique experience but half the fun is riding there on a Shepler's boat! Sacre Bleu is a 90.8 foot long passenger ship that is ready to take passengers across to Mackinaw for a day full of fun!

Come experience why our motto is First Class Service, Every Guest, Every Day. For more details on Shepler's Ferry, visit our website or give us a call at 800-828-6157!

The Story Of How Shepler's Ferry Began!

Did you know that Shepler's Ferry has been around for three generations? It all began in 1945 by Captain William H. Shepler who after returning to his birth place of Mackinaw he realized how much potential and need there was for transporting people to and from the island. His dream was to provide fast, efficient and modern service where people could enjoy the Mackinaw experience.  70 years later our mission statement is the same...give the best possible service with a smile, use modern equipment and employ well trained staff that can give the people an experience of Mackinac Island.

If you're interested in finding out the entire true story of how one families heritage, courage, faith and survival has grown to what it is today, then you must pick up a copy of the book "Undefeated" by Jean R. Beach and Dr. Don Steele.  It's a story of how the family owned Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry Service survived  by overcoming challenges and has grown over three generations.

The Authors Bios:

Dr Don Steele earned his PhD from The Ohio State University after obtaining his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Central Michigan University. He served as Superintendent of Schools for the school districts of Saginaw, Michigan; Toledo, Ohio; and Seattle, Washington. He is an entrepreneur who has built several successful coaching and consulting businesses. He has coached professional athletes, entertainers and business executives on five continents. He has authored three books on “State Level Educational Policy Making” and another entitled “Anticipating and Managing the Future”. He is an accomplished speaker, humorist and entertainer. He resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Jean R. Beach holds a BA degree from Ohio Wesleyan and has pursued further study at Delta College, Mott College, Northwestern College and in Europe with Dr. James Chillman of Rice University plus intensive workshops with Dr. Frederick Francke and Edward Weiss. She is the author of several books of Michigan History. Including “A Century on Canvass”, volumes two, three and four of “The Saginaw Hall of Fame”, “In Times of Sorrow and in Times of Joy”, ”Savoring Saginaw”, a historical cookbook and “The History of Pit and Balcony”, Saginaw’s community theater. She has been a frequent lecturer at Saginaw Valley State University’s Humanities lecture series. As an advertising copywriter, account executive and freelancer, she has been the recipient of several prizes for successful ad campaigns including Best of Show.

Purchase your copy of "Undefeated" now and begin the journey of where Shepler's Ferry began and where they are going now!