Map showing campground location near Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Camper submitted image from Soo Locks Campground

Soo Locks Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Watching freighters pass through the Soo Locks from your campsite is the defining experience here. Soo Locks Campground sits along the St. Marys River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, operating from May 1 through October 20 and catering primarily to RV travelers with electric and water hookups at each site. The layout is compact and close to the waterfront, which reviewers describe as resembling a parking lot more than a traditional campground. Tent campers should know that pitching near the water is prohibited due to high wind risk on the river.

The campground runs on firm rules. Camp hosts enforce strict parking alignment, and kids are restricted from climbing on riverside rocks. That said, cleanliness is consistently noted across reviews, and Stacy N. points out that "bathrooms are clean (requires a code to get in)." The facility also includes showers, a dump station, WiFi, laundry, and a small camp store with coffee. Ships pass day and night, making this a draw for anyone specifically interested in watching Great Lakes vessel traffic.

One practical note: the campground sits adjacent to a military base, and helicopter drills have been reported in the morning hours. Noise levels at night tend to be low, but mornings can be loud. Reservations are available, and pets are allowed. Campers wanting a more natural setting can find places to camp around Sault Ste. Marie, including Aune-Osborn Campground roughly a mile southeast.

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

The Great Northern Road Trip

Burlington to Sault Ste. Marie: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsSoo Locks Campground is located in Michigan near Sault Ste. Marie

Public Campground

Directions

From jct Business I-75 & I-75: Go 2 mi N on I-75 (exit 394), then 500 feet W on Easterday Ave, then 3 mi N & E on Portage

Address

1001 East Portage Avenue
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

Coordinates

46.493647 N
84.323673 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 9/4/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 9 users
Last on 9/4/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 9/4/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 9 users
Last on 9/4/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Phone Service
Reservable
WiFi
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 49 min from Traverse City, MI
3 hrs 15 min from Midland, MI
3 hrs 18 min from Bay City, MI
3 hrs 27 min from Saginaw, MI

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Soo Locks Campground

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

A functional riverside campground offering excellent ship-watching opportunities and consistently clean facilities. Several guests noted the industrial location and morning helicopter noise from adjacent military base.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Stacy N.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2026

Great views

The views are great. The rules seem a little overkill. Definitely a good RV campground but not as set up for primitive camping as we like. No tents allowed near the water due to potential high winds on the river which is understandable and we appreciate the concern. The camp host was very particular about not parking at any kind of an angle (we have a rooftop tent and although we were well within our campsite boundary they made us repark like an RV so not even slightly angled toward the river view. Told our kids they couldn’t play on the rocks (even the little 8” high rocks in the middle of our campground- how do you tell a kid not to stand on a rock?). The views are still worth it and everything was very clean. Bathrooms are clean (requires a code to get in). Looks like they have coffee and arcade games inside the store for the morning and even laundry.

Site28

Month of VisitJune

(4) View All

Moose C.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2022

Great city location

Right on the river. Close to town. It's not pretty, just functional.

Site5

Month of VisitJune

Megan A.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 25, 2019

Best place on the ST Mary’s river

What a awesome location. I have been visiting this place for over 15 years. I absolutely love it here. You get to see the ships go by day and night. The shower house are always clean. In the fall when it’s freezing cold the shower houses are always warm. Fresh coffee and cappuccinos in the office. A game room for kids. A laundry room and a few things for sale in the office. All around I absolutely love this camp ground! See ya in September!

Kristin G.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2018

Tiny sites in a gritty town

The photos online were deceiving. This campground has tiny little sites in an industrial area of Sault Ste Marie. It was super quiet at night but it’s next door to a military base and 5 Chinook helicopters ran drills in the morning from 8:30 -11am and it felt like we were in a war zone.

We came however to watch the ships go by and it was suitable for this. The bathrooms were old but clean. They sell ice and wood.

There were some tentless kids sleeping by the river who are known to steal beer in the night. You’ve been warned.

We planned to stay 2 nights but only stayed one. It was just a parking lot.

Site34

Month of VisitAugust

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos available of Soo Locks Campground?

Yes, photos of Soo Locks Campground are available online. However, be aware that some visitors have noted that online photos may not fully represent the actual campground experience. The campground is located in an industrial area with functional rather than scenic surroundings. For the most accurate visual representation, consider checking multiple sources for current photos or contacting the campground directly.

What do reviews say about Soo Locks Campground?

Soo Locks Campground offers an excellent location right on the river with prime views of passing ships day and night. The campground features clean shower houses that are kept warm during cold weather. While the setting is functional rather than scenic, being situated in an industrial area of Sault Ste Marie, it provides convenient access to town. Some campers note that the sites are relatively small, and occasional military activity from the nearby base can create noise during morning hours. Despite these factors, many visitors return regularly for the unique experience of watching maritime traffic on the river.

How much does it cost to stay at Soo Locks Campground?

Specific rates for Soo Locks Campground aren't detailed in the available information. For current pricing, it's best to contact the campground directly or check their official website. Rates typically vary based on the type of site (tent vs RV), hookup options, and season. The campground appears to be well-established with amenities like shower houses and coffee service in the office, suggesting standard pricing for a developed campground. Always verify current fees before planning your stay.

Keep Exploring