Explore History and Nature Across Parks Canada Sites

Whether connecting with nature, exploring history, or enjoying outdoor activities with the whole family, Parks Canada offers unforgettable experiences across its extensive network of protected places. From coast to coast to coast, 171 national historic sites showcase Canada’s rich and diverse heritage, including the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site in downtown Sault Ste. Marie. Here, the canal offers a dynamic blend of culture, engineering, and natural beauty.

The Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site

Built in 1895, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal was once the world’s longest lock, the first to operate using electricity, and the final link in an all-Canadian navigational route from the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Superior. Today, it remains a vibrant destination for boat-watching, picnicking, and learning about the people who lived and worked here, including the impacts on Batchewana First Nation and the Historic Sault Ste. Marie Métis community. The interpretive experience spans from the pre-canal era to present-day conservation and reconciliation efforts.

The 2026 season is underway! Begin your experience in the Visitor Centre, near the site entrance in the old Stores Building and Blacksmith’s Shop, which is open through to October 9. There you will find interactive exhibits, historic photographs, and engaging storytelling bringing the canal’s past to life.

Guided Tours and Trails at the Canal

Visitors can deepen their understanding through guided tours. The Where Waters Connect Tour offers a one-hour, 1.5 km walk along paved pathways on North St. Marys Island, exploring where waterways, cultures, and innovation converge. The tour begins with the deep-rooted Indigenous history of the area and continues through to the story behind the world’s first electrically operated lock and its role in shaping an all-Canadian Waterway. The Echoes of the Rapids Tour provides a more immersive 2 km experience along natural trails, focusing on Anishinaabe governance, cultural practices, and the lasting impacts of colonization, set against the powerful backdrop of the rapids. Both tours can be adapted to meet accessibility and group needs.

For those seeking an outdoor activity, scenic trails can be explored on foot or by renting a fatbike. The 2.2 km Attikamek Trail features a mix of boardwalks, gravel paths, and lookout points with stunning views, interpretive panels, and opportunities for wildlife observation.

Whether you’re discovering history through guided interpretation or enjoying a peaceful ride along the trails, the Sault Ste. Marie Canal invites you to experience it all this summer.

For more information, including hours and booking details, visit parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/ssmarie or call 705-941-6205.

Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site

In Algoma, Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site is located on St. Joseph Island, under 40 minutes from Highway 17 and 90 minutes from downtown Sault Ste. Marie, offering a unique opportunity to experience history where it happened, surrounded by the natural beauty of Lake Huron.

Fort St. Joseph opens for the 2026 season from June 3 to September 30. Begin your visit at the visitor centre and museum, where Parks Canada staff offer insights into the fort’s rich past. Exhibits featuring artifacts, maps, and interactive displays bring this historic military outpost to life. Learn how Fort St. Joseph served as a hub for Indigenous relations, trade, and defence, and played a role in the capture of Mackinac Island in 1812.

Step outside to explore the historic ruins, where stone foundations mark officers’ quarters, storehouses, and traders’ huts. Interpretive panels share stories of daily life more than 225 years ago in this important meeting place for British and Anishinaabe communities.

Fort St. Joseph opens for the 2026 season from June 3 to September 30. Begin your visit at the visitor centre and museum, where Parks Canada staff offer insights into the fort’s rich past. Exhibits featuring artifacts, maps, and interactive displays bring this historic military outpost to life. Learn how Fort St. Joseph served as a hub for Indigenous relations, trade, and defence, and played a role in the capture of Mackinac Island in 1812.

Step outside to explore the historic ruins, where stone foundations mark officers’ quarters, storehouses, and traders’ huts. Interpretive panels share stories of daily life more than 225 years ago in this important meeting place for British and Anishinaabe communities.

Interactive History and Birding at Fort St. Joseph

Interactive experiences bring history closer. Visitors can enjoy demonstrations, including bread baking in a clay oven and fire-starting with flint and steel. Interested in a more hands-on activity? Immerse yourself with a historic weaponry program. Sign up to join the Michilimackinac Company during the turbulent times before the War of 1812.

Learn how fur traders, in an alliance with First Nations peoples and the British military, became part of the fighting force in the Great Lakes. Pull the trigger and experience the flash and smoke of black powder for yourself. Must be age 16+, limited availability, reservations recommended.

The site also offers outstanding opportunities to connect with nature. Scenic trails wind through the forest and along the Lake Huron shoreline, providing options for hiking and cycling at all levels. Fort St. Joseph is also a Migratory Bird Sanctuary, home to more than 220 bird species. From songbirds in spring to raptors in the fall, it’s a must-visit destination for birders of all experience levels. Binoculars and fat bikes are available to rent at the visitor centre. With a mix of history, culture, and outdoor recreation, Fort St. Joseph offers something for every visitor.

For more information, including hours and programs, visit parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/stjoseph or call 705-246-2664.

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