Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Soo Locks Visitor Center

Soo Locks View

The St. Marys Falls Canal Park is beautiful large park that houses the Soo Locks Visitor Center and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. There's a very large two-level covered observation platform that overlooks the Soo Locks and provides for some fantastic views as the ships are raised or lowered 21 feet (6.4 meters). Entry is free, but this is a U.S. Government facility, and you will have to pass through a security checkpoint. A variety of shopping and dining options are available directly across the street in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.

Rotary Island Park

Rotary Island Park is a nice small park at Mission Point, located approximately 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) downstream of the Soo Locks. It offers a beautiful view down the unspoiled St. Marys River. The ships come through this narrow section of the river very close to shore and commonly will give a salute as they pass the park. The Sugar Island ferry crosses back and forth at this location as well.

St. Marys River View

Alford Park

Alford Park is a newly rebuilt park with a cruise ship terminal and fantastic views of the St. Marys River, the Canadian shoreline and the ships approaching and exiting the Soo Locks. This location is about halfway between the Soo Locks and Mission Point, and the river is much wider here.

St. Marys River View

Sault Ste. Marie Reels

A salute from beautiful classic laker John G. Munson, as she passes Mission Point, up-bound on the St. Marys River, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. August 01, 2025.

A salute from 1,000’ freighter Burns Harbor (American Steamship Company) passing Mission Point, upbound on the St. Marys River. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, August 01, 2025.

The BARKER BARK! A salute from the 1,004’ James R. Barker, upbound on the St. Marys River, at Mission Point. Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, July 31, 2025.

A Master Salute from 728’ Joseph L. Block (Central Marine Logistics) as she passes Mission Point, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. August 01, 2025.

1,000’ Stewart J. Cort (Interlake Steamship Company) in the smoky haze of the Canadian wildfires, as she heads down-bound on the St. Marys River, passing Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. July 30, 2025.

1,000' Walter J. McCarthy Jr. heads down the St. Marys River, at Mission Point, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. July 30, 2025.

678’ long x 70’ wide Great Lakes freighter Wilfred Sykes using her bow thruster as she squeezes into the 80’ wide MacArthur Lock at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan on September 22, 2024.

John D. Leitch (Algoma Central Corporation), a one of a kind 730’ classic Great Lakes freighter, locking down through the Soo Locks in the dark. September 20, 2024.

Sault Ste. Marie Videos

HUGE Lake Freighter Edgar B Speer Salutes at Mission Point!

1,004' Edgar B. Speer (Great Lakes Fleet) in a beautiful setting, passing Mission Point, on the St. Marys River. Includes a nice salute with a good echo. The Sugar Island ferry Sugar Islander II is seen and heard in the background, along with the Ojibway marine supply boat, a sailboat and some wildlife. July 31, 2025.

Tour Boat Horn vs HUGE Lake Freighter James R. Barker!

The best ship horn on the Great Lakes! 1,004' James R. Barker (Interlake Steamship Company) answers a salute from Bide-A-Wee (Original Soo Locks Boat Tours), on the St. Marys River, as she slowly approaches the Soo Locks. July 31, 2025.

The Great Lakes: A Cruise Experience Like No Other

Luxury expedition cruise ship, MS Hanseatic Inspiration (Hapag-Lloyd Cruises), on a freshwater adventure, cruising the Great Lakes, navigating through the MacArthur Lock at the iconic Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This beautiful vessel is being raised 21 feet as she moves into Lake Superior from Lake Huron, via the St. Marys River. September 22, 2024.

730' Great Lakes freighter American Mariner (Grand River Navigation), locking upbound through the Poe Lock, at the iconic Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The huge ship is raised 21 feet as she moves up to the level of Lake Superior from the lower elevation of Lake Huron, via the St. Marys River. September 21, 2025.

Nighttime Soo Locks Operations are a MUST SEE

630' Great Lakes freighter Robert S. Pierson (Lower Lakes Towing LTD), locking downbound through the Poe Lock, at the iconic Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The huge ship is lowered 21 feet as she moves down to the level of Lake Huron from the higher elevation of Lake Superior, via the St. Marys River. September 22, 2025.

The Wilfred Sykes is locking upbound through the MacArthur lock heading to Lake Superior, as the ocean-going 625' ship, Federal Yoshino is in the background, sliding into the Poe Lock downbound towards Lake Huron. September 22, 2024.

Classic Lake Freighter Wilfred Sykes at the Historic Soo Locks!

Lake Freighter DROPS 21 Feet at the Soo Locks!

GOING UP! Soo Locks Tour Boat Rises 21 Feet in MacArthur Lock

BEAUTIFUL Waterfront Boat Tour of Sault Ste. Marie

AMAZING Tour of the Soo Locks with an Expert Guide!

RCAF Snowbirds: Canada’s PREMIERE Aerial Demonstration Team

Soo Locks tour boat Nokomis (Famous Soo Locks Boat Tours), navigating through the MacArthur Lock at the iconic Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This tour boat is being raised 21 feet as she moves up to the level of Lake Superior from the lower elevation of Lake Huron, via the St. Marys River. September 21, 2024.

Enjoy a narrated cruise along the St. Marys River, exploring the shorelines of the U.S. and Canadian twin cities of Sault Ste, Marie, Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. This 4k video was shot aboard the tour boat Holiday, on a special cruise offered by Original Soo Locks Boat Tours out of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Sites along this tour include the vessel Ojibway and Soo Marine Supply, The historic St. Marys Falls Hydropower Plant, U.S. Coast Guard vessels Katmai Bay and Buckthorn, the Tower of History, the Valley Camp ship museum, the Soo Locks, the Canadian Bushplane Museum and many other points of interest! The Great Lakes freighter, bulk carrier G3 Marquis also makes an appearance exiting the Poe Lock and there are some ship horn salutes. September 21, 2024.

A ride through the iconic Soo Locks on the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This 4k video was recorded on a special cruise aboard the Original Soo Locks Boat Tours vessel Holiday, as she is accompanied by her sister vessel Bide-A-Wee. They will also pass the vessel Hiawatha, which has been contracted to ferry construction workers that are working on building the new lock. The ocean-going ships Federal Ohio and Ocean Castle can be seen using the Poe lock at the same time. This video takes you through an upbound locking, passing under the International Bridge connecting Michigan to Ontario, Canada, followed by a turnaround and downbound locking. September 21, 2024.

Royal Canadian Air Force flight demonstration team the Snowbirds, performing in their CT-114 Tutor Jets, over the St Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie. This performance on September 21, 2024, was part of the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Center, Bushplane Days celebration. This 4k video was shot aboard a special cruise offered by Original Soo Locks Boat Tours out of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. September 21, 2024.