Discover Chippewa County

Experience shipping in Chippewa County from several perspectives. The Soo Locks connect Lake Superior with the lower Great Lakes and have been in operation since 1855. At Soo Locks Park, visitors can watch freighters pass through the locks. An observation platform, walking paths and public restrooms round out the visitor amenities. From May 1 through October 31, the Soo Locks Visitors Center offers interactive exhibits, up-to-date ship information and ranger assistance daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Soo Locks Park is open daily year-round. Check current visiting hours before your arrival.

Shipping and River History

Original Soo Locks Boat Tours include a narrated boat ride on the St. Marys River and a tour of the Sugar Island North Channel. Tours run seasonally according to the operator’s schedule, so check the dates in advance. At the River of History Museum, you can take self-guided tours: an audio wand explains the river’s history, spanning thousands of years, at each exhibit station. This offers two distinct experiences: a trip on the water and an independent exploration of the river’s history.

Lighthouses and Shoreline Views

The Whitefish Point Light Tower has been in continuous operation since 1861 and is the oldest operating lighthouse on Lake Superior. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point offers an accessible waterfront promenade. It provides access to the shore of Lake Superior and views of passing ships. The combination of lighthouse history and shoreline access makes Whitefish Point a destination in its own right for visitors interested in shipping on the lake.

The DeTour Reef Light Preservation Society also offers a keeper program at a historic offshore lighthouse dating from 1931. Confirm the program’s availability before your trip.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Brimley State Park spans 100 acres along the shore of Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior and offers opportunities for lakeside recreation. Facilities include a boat launch, a sandy swimming beach and a viewing area for passing freighters. As park facilities may change seasonally, it’s a good idea to check current park information before your visit.

On Drummond Island, the Maxton Plains Alvar area is home to a population of the rare prairie smoke flower. It can be seen there from mid-May to mid-June; the exact timing depends on conditions. For hiking and snowshoeing, the Drummond Island Township Park has the 3.0-mile Heritage Trail. Drummond Island also has 117 miles of ORV trails on state land. These figures refer to different types of trail use; designated ORV trail mileage may change as routes are managed.

History and Culture

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. Interpretive signs along the street cover early encounters between Europeans and Indigenous communities, the founding of Fort Brady and 19th-century trade. At the Tower of History, exhibits and a video present local history and the history of Indigenous communities. The tower stands 210 feet tall, and the view from the top extends 20 miles. The annual Chippewa County Fair in Kinross, which offers fair food, is another way to experience the local atmosphere.

Plan Your Trip and Hotels

Use your planned itinerary as a guide when looking for a hotel: consider whether shipping, lighthouses, culture or outdoor activities will be the focus of your trip. The calendar also provides a practical basis for comparison: the Soo Locks Visitors Center has the stated daily season from May 1 through October 31, the bloom window on Drummond Island falls between mid-May and mid-June, and Soo Locks Park is open daily year-round. Boat tours run seasonally according to the operator’s schedule. If a time-sensitive experience shapes your trip, check the relevant visiting hours, dates or availability in advance.

Explore more destinations: Sault Ste. Marie, Dafter, Brimley, Paradise, Antrim County, Calhoun, Allegan County, Eaton.

For the main travel overview: Michigan.