The Sault Ste. Marie Canal, built in 1895, was the world’s longest lock, the first to operate using electricity and the last link in an all-Canadian navigational chain from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Superior. Today, the Canal is a great spot for boat-watching, picnics and a variety of other activities. Let a Parks Canada interpreter introduce you to the canal’s fascinating history, rent a Fat Bike, or join us for tea at the Superintendent’s Residence.
Featured things to do
Hours of operation
Site access: Every day from 6am to 10pm
Lock navigation season: May 15 – October 15
Visitor Centre: June 1 – October 8
Contact us
Main Office: 705-941-6262
Visitor Centre: 705-941-6205
Email: pc.infolhncssm-ssmcnhsinfo.pc@canada.ca
Planning to visit during COVID-19?
Sites nearby
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Lake Superior National Marine Conservation AreaHome to more than 70 fish species and 50 shipwrecks, Lake Superior is one of the world’s largest protected freshwater areas and offers outdoor activities ranging from fishing and swimming to snowshoeing and surfing.
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Fort St. Joseph National Historic SiteVisit Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site, 92 km south east of Sault Ste. Marie on the southern tip of St. Joseph Island, to learn about the once-vital British stronghold on Upper Canada’s western front.
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Pukaskwa National ParkThis is Ontario’s only wilderness national park, defined by pink-and-slate granite shores, Great Lake temperaments and near-endless stretches of spruce, fir, pine and hardwoods. Biodiverse coastal regions—where wetland, lake and forest meet—are home to iconic Canadian species like bald eagles, moose and bears.
