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Soo Locks Visitors Center

The Soo Locks Visitors Center is open seasonally from May 1 to October 31. During those months, the center is open from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, seven days a week. The center features interactive exhibits, up-to-date vessel information, and knowledgable rangers to make your visit memorable. Select merchandise may be available for purchase inside the center.

The center is located inside the Soo Locks Park at 209 E Portage Ave in Sault Ste. Marie. Both the front and rear doors of the building are accessible entrances. Metered parking is available along Portage Ave, and free parking is available throughout Sault Ste. Marie.

Soo Locks Park

The Soo Locks Park is managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and is open daily throughout the year. The park features a central viewing platform that offers visitors an elevated view of the locks, walking paths, public restrooms, and opportunities to watch freighters as they proceed through the locks. The lower level of the viewing platform is accessible; stairs are required to reach the upper level.

 

Events & Other Resources

  • Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date on what’s happening at the locks. Questions about what to expect as you plan your visit? Message us on Facebook, and a park ranger will be able to assist you.

  • People from all over flock to the Soo on the last Friday of June for Engineer’s Day. This all-day event allows boatnerds the rare opportunity to cross the locks and view the freighters up close.

    The 2025 Engineer’s Day will be Friday, June 27. Please watch our Facebook page for more infomation.

  • Round out your visit to the locks by experiencing all of what Sault Ste. Marie has to offer! With many options for attractions, shopping, and dining, you’re sure to find something to enjoy. For more information, visit our friends at the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitor Bureau to learn more.

  • During the active shipping season, call our hotline at (906) 202-1333 to hear a pre-recorded message that lists the freighters currently in the St. Mary’s River.

  • Learning about the locks doesn’t have to end when you leave the Soo! Join us throughout the year on the USACE YouTube channel for Virtual Visitors Center, a recurring video series that features interviews and presentations from maritime professionals.

    Programs begin at 12:30 EDT (11:30 am CDT)

    2024–2025 Season Schedule

    October 3 – The New Lock at the Soo: 2024 Progress Report

    Crews working on the New Lock at the Soo have had a productive season. Civil Engineer Rachel Miller joins us to share highlights of the past year including completion of upstream approach walls, building coffer dams and starting demolition of the 100+ year old Sabin Lock. She will also describe what lies ahead for this mega project.

    November 7 – The Shipwreck Coast's Lost Whalebacks: The Story of Sagamore and Barge

    Whalebacks originated on the Great Lakes 1889 and in less than ten years, shipyards in Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin built 39 for service as barges and steamships. Bruce Lynn, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) director, shares the stories of two of these ships, Sagamore and Barge 129. The GLSHS discovered Barge 129 in 2021 and Bruce will share highlights of how the team locates, documents and identifies shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

    December 5 – Great Lakes Maritime Academy: Training a New Generation of Mariners

    Virtual Meeting Link | Facebook Event

    Most people who enjoy the gorgeous views on the Great Lakes have also enjoyed seeing large ships sailing off the coast or up and down the Soo Locks.

    Who is on those ships? How does someone become a captain or chief engineer? What does that industry look like today?

    Join us on December 5th when Trisha Meier from the Great Lakes Maritime Academy talks about getting into the maritime industry and the education they provide leading to unique and potentially lucrative careers on the water.

    January – Fleet Histories

    February 6 – Lock Construction Past & Present

    Join us for a look at how lock construction has changed since the first locks were built on the St. Marys River. The Soo Locks’ Chief Park Ranger joined us in the Virtual Visitor Center to explore why, where and how locks are built while highlighting how that process has changed in the last 170 years.

    March 6 – Young Mariners Career

    Relief 2nd Mate Dan Lindner joined us in the Virtual Visitor Center to share his experiences working with Great Lakes Fleet and take audience questions. He talked about his start at the Maritime Academy, his career thus far and where he wants to go. The Virtual Visitor Center allows the Park Rangers of the Detroit District to share information related to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' navigation mission while their visitor centers are operating at reduced hours.

    April – Shipwreck 3D Modeling

    The Great Lakes Shipwreck Preservation Society (GLSPS) plans to create a 3D model of every shipwreck on the Great Lakes. Andrew Goodman, Minneapolis-based diver, photographer and GLSPS board member joined us in the Virtual Visitor Center to share how the 3-D modeling project is going and what their work has revealed so far.

  • The SLVCA is raffling a 5-7 day round-trip adventure for four persons aboard the 1,004-foot-long Edwin H. Gott, generously donated by Great Lakes Fleet.

    Winners will be drawn October 31, 2025 at the Soo Locks Visitors Center.

    Tickets may be purchased in person with cash or check at the Visitors Center (after May 1) or by completing and mailing this form along with your check payment.

    Please note: we cannot accept credit cards as payment for raffle tickets.

  • Fans of the locks are invited to celebrate the start of the new shipping season during our annual open house. Enjoy snacks and mingle with fellow boatnerds during this fun event.

    Please note: The 2025 Open House will now be on Friday, March 21 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in the Visitors Center.