United States
Michigan (MI)
Upper Peninsula
Sault Ste. Marie
Things to Do in Sault Ste. Marie
Rotary Island Park
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Rotary Island Park

See all things to do
See all things to do
Rotary Island Park
4.5
98 reviews
#3 of 21 things to do in Sault Ste. Marie
Parks • Playgrounds
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12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
98 reviews
Excellent
71
Very good
23
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tansy2015
Brighton, MI333 contributions
Fun spot to spend your day
Jul 2022
What a great find. I very nice park for kids and adults. Has great views of the St Mary River to watch the freighters, as well as other little sport boats. There is a ferry that takes you from this park to Sugar Island which is just a quick jaunt across for a few bucks if you walk on. There is a pond that you can fish or boat on. There is also a cut diner, where you drive up and they come to your car to serve you malts and normal diner fare. Fun spot!
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gr84Fam
Michigan38 contributions
Great fishing spot for kids
Aug 2021 • Family
This was a great place for our teens to easily fish. Picnic tables scattered around the pond and was never too crowded but seemed to stay busy. We went a few times at various times of day. Kids caught fish each time.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
warnermrs
Mason, MI89 contributions
Easy way to fill an evening with little kids
Aug 2020 • Family
Can easily wade in the river while watching boats go by. Perfectly placed benches for you to sit by the river. Ample picnic tables for those who grab a meal from Clyde’s next door. The play area has hand sanitizer.
Written August 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
William L
64 contributions
A wonderful place which is hard to find because it has no real address. I will help you find it.
Oct 2016 • Couples
For those who are unaware about the location of Rotary Island Park it is not where TripAdvisor has it located on Sugar Island.

The park is immediately adjacent Clyde's Drive-In and the Sugar Island Ferry Dock 100 yards to the of the dock in Sault Sainte Marie on the Saint Mary's River, the park is not Sugar Island.

The parking lot that is not on the island is part of Clyde's Drive-In and the Ferry Terminal and marine navigation & weather station equipment

To get there go to Google Maps type in ferry dock Sault Ste Marie Michigan 49783

The Park entrances 100 yards due south of the ferry dock.

The park has restrooms picnic, tables, benches​ and interpretive signs with trails and sidewalks.

Fishing is popular here.

I assume that swimming is allowed in the lagoon to the west side of the island, swimming in the St. Mary's River itself I would ovoid at all costs due to the tremendously strong current and the temperature of the water.

Kayaking and canoeing is popular in the lagoon to the west of the island and the back-channel to the south of the island across the back channel where Voyageur Park is located.

Clyde's Drive-In has awesome burgers and since it's only a hundred yards away from the island itself it's an easy walk for good food.

The Freighters literally come within fifty yards of you so you get to see them up close.
In conclusion for those of you thinking of swimming in the St. Mary's River on the east side of the island, watch the Sugar Island Ferry attempt to cross the river once or twice and you'll notice that the river current carries the ferry as if it were a leaf.
Written September 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
djc-snowman
Ashtabula, OH80 contributions
If you like The Soo Locks you'll enjoy Rotary Park
Oct 2015 • Couples
If you like the ships at The Soo Locks take a few minutes drive to Rotary Park and get a real close up view. Its quite an experience to view a 1000 foot freighter pass a few feet in front of you.

The Sugar Island Ferry also travels back and forth on the river which you can watch as well.
Written October 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
I'm S
6 contributions
A Riverside Ballet
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 swimming
The 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.
Written July 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jim L
9 contributions
Best place in the area to view freighter!
Aug 2017 • Couples
Best place to grab a bite to eat from nearby Clydes Restaurant and hang out and watch the freighters go by! The only complaint is the park does not have well maintained bathrooms. Just "outhouses" that actually ruin the wonderful park itself. The sight and smell....not good.
Written December 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
SDCathy
SD54 contributions
Great shipwatching
Jun 2014 • Couples
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.
Written July 22, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MAlberts2014
Belding, MI24 contributions
Close up and very personal !!
Jul 2014 • Family
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.
Written July 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Robdro
South Saint Paul, MN104 contributions
Amazing little spot for ship watching
Jul 2019 • Couples
I had read about this little park so we stopped in, waded in the water a bit and watched the Sugar Island Ferry. As we got ready to go a couple said there was a ship coming through so we stayed to watch. We didn’t realize this little area was the channel for the ships and how very close they came! Not only did we watch one coming to Soo but also one leaving! It was a thrill to see them so close.
The park itself is very nice with bathrooms, tables, benches grills etc. Lots of people walking dogs there too.
We also drove down the island a bit and saw some nice houses— we can’t imagine that view every day.
Definitely need to check out!
Written August 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Rotary Island Park (Sault Ste. Marie) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Rotary Island Park
Rotary Island Park is open:
  • Sun - Sat 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM