Soo Locks Visitor Center

Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Detroit District
Published July 10, 2024
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M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering Soo Locks 1 of 3
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
Soo Locks Visitor Center opens for 2022 season 2 of 3
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
Soo Locks Viewing Platform 3 of 3
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering Soo Locks 1 of 3
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
Soo Locks Visitor Center opens for 2022 season 2 of 3
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
Soo Locks Viewing Platform 3 of 3
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering Soo Locks 1 of 3
M/V Paul R Tregurtha entering the Poe Lock from the lower river October 15, 2016, at the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
Soo Locks Visitor Center opens for 2022 season 2 of 3
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is opening the Soo Locks Visitor Center in Canal Park at 10 a.m. May 8. Visitor Center hours for the month of May are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Visitor Center hours and days for June will be re-evaluated and announced prior to Memorial Day.
Download Download Image Link Image Details
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
Soo Locks Viewing Platform 3 of 3
Watch the ships up close from the Soo Locks Viewing Platform.
Download Download Image Link Image Details

 
 
The Soo Locks
Nearly 100% of America's domestic iron ore passes through the Soo Locks with a value of $500 billion and supporting 123,000 jobs. 
Visitor Center
Class A Visitor Center with more than 500,000 visitors annually.
New Lock at the Soo Mega Project
The New Lock at the Soo would eliminate the single point of failure in our Nation's iron ore supply chain.

Plan your visit to the Soo Locks Visitor Center and walk through time and engineering excellence. We look forward to welcoming you to this world-renowned and National Historic Landmark destination!

Accessibility

The Soo Locks Visitor Center is committed to providing a welcoming experience for all visitors. Our facilities are wheelchair-accessible and we strive to accommodate any special needs. 

Admission

Admission to the Soo Locks Visitor Center is free, making it an affordable and engaging destination for families, students and history enthusiasts.

Pets are not permitted, with the exception of service animals. 

Weapons, drugs, alcohol and bicycles are not allowed. 

Attractions

Once a year, the public has access to the locks during Engineers Day, always the last Friday in June. On this day, visitors can venture between the MacArthur and Poe Locks and enjoy a rare, up-close view of the locks and passing vessels.

The world-famous Soo Locks, one of the finest tourist attractions in the United States, can be seen up close from the accessible observation platform located just outside the Soo Locks Visitor Center. Constructed in 2011, it offers sheltered viewing in inclement weather. Exhibits in the platform explain how the locks operate.

The grounds surrounding the locks contain additional exhibits, strolling paths and a spectacular fountain located in the park adjacent to the lock complex. The park, open year-round, hosts free concerts during the summer months and is a popular spot for weddings.

Boat Schedule Hotline

The Hotline is not updated during the winter season.

Park Rangers post estimated boat schedules in the Visitor Center and maintain a Boat Schedule Hotline at 906-202-1333 while the Visitor Center is open.

Contact

Phone: 906-259-2841

Address: 312 West Portage Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Exhibits

Explore the history of the Soo Locks through interactive exhibits and immersive displays.

Learn about the Great Lakes shipping industry and the vital role the Soo Locks play in connecting Lake Superior to the lower Great Lakes.

Discover the engineering ingenuity behind the locks and the evolution of maritime technology.

Hours

The Soo Locks Visitor Center is open to the public from May 1 to October 31. 

Park Schedule Park Hours
June, July and August 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
May, September and October 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
November, December, January, February, March and April 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

 

 

 

Parking

There is free parking at the Depot Lot just west of the Soo Locks on the corner of Portage Avenue and Magazine Street.

Metered parking is available near the Visitor Center on Portage Avenue. Ample space is provided for buses and RVs.

Webcams

View our Soo Locks webcams.


Soo Locks
Visitor Center
Sault Ste. Marie
Detroit District
New Lock at the Soo
michigan
Great Lakes Navigation System
great lakes
Poe Lock
MacArthur Lock
park
Observation Platform
locks
navigation
Ships
water
recreation
Freighters
Great Lakes Shipping
Engineers Day
Lake Superior
Upper Peninsula