In operation since 1855, the Soo Locks connect Lake Superior with the lower Great Lakes. In Chippewa County, you can follow this connection not only on a map: freighters pass through the locks, exhibits tell the story of shipping, and tours take you along the St. Marys River. Lighthouses, cultural sites and landscapes offer further insights into the region’s diverse themes.
Locks and River History
At the Soo Locks Visitors Center, you’ll find interactive exhibits, up-to-date information about ships and help from rangers. The center offers these amenities daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., May 1 through October 31. Check the schedule before your trip. Soo Locks Park is open daily year-round. It has an observation deck, walking paths and public restrooms; visitors can watch freighters pass through the locks. Since park facilities may change seasonally, it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit.
Original Soo Locks Boat Tours offer another perspective on the river: options include a narrated boat ride on the St. Marys River and a visit to Sugar Island North Channel. Tours are seasonal and follow the operator’s schedule; check it before your trip. At the River of History Museum, you can learn about the river’s history on self-guided tours. An audio wand explains the millennia-long stages of this history at each stop.
Cultural History from Water Street to the Tower
When the French arrived in 1668, Water Street was a cultural center of Sault Ste. Marie; it has long been a cultural center for the Indigenous communities who live there. Information panels along the street cover early encounters between Europeans and Indigenous communities, the founding of Fort Brady and 19th-century trade.
Through exhibits and a video, the Tower of History presents local history as well as the history of Indigenous communities. At 210 feet tall, it is also a striking vantage point: from the top, visibility extends 20 miles. Two perspectives come together here: historical interpretation inside and sweeping views from above.
Lighthouses and Waterfront Experiences
The Whitefish Point Light Tower has been in continuous operation since 1861 and is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. At Whitefish Point, the accessible waterfront promenade at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum provides access to the shore of Lake Superior and views of passing ships. The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society offers a different lighthouse experience through its keeper program at a historic offshore lighthouse built in 1931. Confirm the program’s availability before your trip.
Brimley State Park also brings together water and shipping: set on 100 acres along Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay, it offers lakeside recreation. Facilities include a boat launch, a sandy swimming beach and an observation area where you can watch passing freighters. Facilities may change seasonally, so check the latest park information before your visit.
Drummond Island: Trails and Blooming Season
On Drummond Island, the Heritage Trail in Drummond Island Township Park is a specific option for nature walks and snowshoeing. The trail is 3.0 miles long. Separate from this are 117 miles of ORV trails on state land; their total length may change as routes are managed. These figures describe different ways to explore and do not refer to the same trails.
A seasonal natural highlight can be found in the Maxton Plains alvar: the rare Prairie Smoke flower grows there and can be seen from mid-May to mid-June. The exact timing varies with conditions. If you plan your trip around the bloom, take its season and changing conditions into account.
A Taste of the Fair
Local events also add their own culinary touch: the annual Chippewa County Fair in Kinross features fair food. Food stands add a regional fairground element to the impressions of culture, landscapes and shipping.
Discover more destinations: Sault Ste. Marie, Dafter, Brimley, Paradise, Ottawa, Saginaw, Iron County, Alger County.
For the main travel overview: Michigan.
