The basswood's white underbark was extensively used by Native Americans and French-speaking fur traders for cordage, including the sewing up of canoes and the manufacture of webbing for snowshoes.

The island’s Juntunen site excavations have yielded features, human burials, prehistoric artifacts, animal bone, and plant remains.

The cession for the area, Article 3, item 13 of the treaty states: "The post of Michilimackinac, and all the land on the island on which that post stands, and the main land adjacent, of which the Indian title has been extinguished by gifts or grants to the French or English governments; and a piece of land on the main to the north of the island, to measure six miles, on Lake Huron, or the strait between lakes Huron and Michigan, and to extend three miles back from the water of the lake or strait; and also, the Island De Bois Blane, being an extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation.

During the War of 1812, U.S. Navy Captain Arthur Sinclair's fleet took shelter at the island while waiting to attack the British at Fort Mackinac.

In 1880 the island provided a haven to alleged murderer Henry English who escaped from Pennsylvania authorities before his trial; he was apprehended on Bois Blanc by Pinkerton agents.

After extensive use as a source of kilned lime and firewood for Mackinac Island and other local frontier settlements, Bois Blanc was settled in the late 19th century as a summer resort community.

In 1908, on behalf of the association, President Walter B. Webb hired the Mason L. Brown Company, a Detroit surveying firm, to map and record the Pointe Aux Pins subdivision.

Much of Bois Blanc Island is state-owned forest land containing White and Norway pines that tower 200 feet (61 m) tall.

The route generally runs from Pries Landing on the mainland, to Sand Bay on Bois Blanc.