Soo Locks Boat Tour

 August 30, 2025

Soo Locks CG site 77

Sault Saint Marie, MI

Well, the two-legged headed out once again, after it warmed up a tad.  The thermometer was reading 47 this morning when I took my morning walk.  Today's adventure took them back to the locks.  They had already observed the locks from the land, so today the plan was to experience the locks from the water....well, in a boat.

Momma said she was glad they didn't head out on the morning cruise because she wanted to sit on the top deck and she wasn't sure she could make the stairs if she had too many layers of clothing on. As it turned out, only three layers were needed for the 1 pm boarding.  

One of the office staff entertained the group waiting to board the boat with a trivia session that turned out to be an informative experience.  120 feet of snow fall during the winter months confirmed the not to be here in winter thoughts.  The gal said she remembers a snow fall of 54 inches during one brief snowfall that caused the National Guard to dig everyone out.  Do you know the cost for a boat to go thru the locks?  Dad was surprised to learn.....ZERO.  There is a set of US locks and a Canadian lock.  The Canadians have no problem letting paddle boats enter the locks but your water craft has to have a motor to enter the US locks that connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron via St Marys River rapids negotiated via the locks system. 

Our tour took us through the US locks on the way out, sharing the lock space with another vessel.

that was being pushed by a tug boat

We entered the lock and the boat was raised 21 feet before we exited. 

 

Our trip continued under the bridge that we had driven over to take us from US into Canada.  We paid $4.40 each way to drive on that bridge.  ($6.60 CAD)

Our ride continued with the return trip taking us through the Canadian locks where we quickly dropped 21 feet.

opening the lock

exiting after being lowered 21 feet

Here's a view of our campground from the water.

If I hadn't been napping, I could have waved as they passed by on the tour boat.

But my nap continued as they decided to grab some more seafood at the Lakeview Restaurant before returning to me.  I think Momma is hooked on their seafood bisque.

It was another great day in the UP of Michigan.  Tomorrow we will cross the Mackinac Suspension Bridge to spend a couple of nights in Petosky, Michigan.

I'm Chloe