Small park on the water's edge with a sizeable parking lot. It's easy to sit in your car on a chilly day and watch the ships round the bend and pass within yards of you. There is no announcement of what's coming, so it's best to stop at the locks visitor center first and get an idea of when ships might pass.
A really nice little area near the Sugar Island car ferry crossing, this spot is where those huge Great Lakes freighters pass by as they head for Lake Huron. They are SO close you feel like you can reach out and touch them! A fantastic photo op stop for any photographer.
About 3 miles east of the Soo Lock along Riverside Ave next to the Sugar Island Ferry Docks is Rotary Island Park.The park is Quaint lodged between the St Marys River and a slough turned into a children's fishing area. No swimmingThe island has benches, tables and restrooms The parks main attraction is an excellent view of the freighters passing so closely, sometimes side by side by in a ballet with other freighters as the Sugar Island Ferry passes once clear. Clyde's Drive-in great food and old fashioned car hop service puts a cherry on this attraction which is only 100 yards away.
Rotary Park is a great place to watch boats and just relax and enjoy the area. The park is usually nice and clean. Their is usually someone working that can give you all the information you want to know.
It's not very big, but it's absolutely the best place to watch the ships in all of the eastern UP! It is a beautiful park on the St. Marys River, and you are within a stone's throw (but please don't!) of the boats as they pass, both upbound and downbound. The park is known as "Mission Point" in the shipping community. Get a snack from Clyde's and enjoy it on one of the many benches, or in the gazebo. There's also a fishing area for kids and a back-water area where you can launch a kayak or canoe. The trails are flat and crushed limestone, and are definitely wheelchair accessible.
This is the spot to view the freighters, both upbound and downbound. Adjutant to Clyde's drive-in, home of the big C cheeseburger. Pick up some food at Clyde's take it to the park and eat lunch at one of the many picnic tables. Just don't feed the Terns.
We stopped here for a picnic to eat our West Pier Drive-In burgers. This is a nice little shady park with many picnic tables and a small playground. The views of the Saint Mary's River are nice. No ships passed by while we were there, but this would be a great place to see them. My kids enjoyed being able to play for a while after eating on the small play structure and swings. A police officer drove through while we were there and stopped to talk to my 4 year old son for 10-15 minutes, giving him a tour of his squad car and some coupons to dairy queen, this was the highlight of his weekend! We had a very pleasant picnic and would definitely utilize this park if ever back in the area!
This is a nice quiet park where you can watch freighters go by right in front of you. You can bring your own chairs or use benches or picnic tables provided.
I always spend a few hours here at this park for its gorgeous views. This summer was no exception. I really like to grab some food and eat while waiting for the ships to pass. If you go there, don't feed the birds. One scrap of food will attract many, many birds. I saw it just a few yards from me this summer. If no ships go by for awhile, there is always the ferry taking people and cars to and from the Soo to Sugar Island.
stopped by here while viewing the locks. very nicely maintained and lots of shade trees and benches to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet.