Watch Ships in Duluth

The Canal’s Calling

The Port of Duluth-Superior has been the backbone of our economy for over a century, and the Canal Park Shipping Canal is one of the most popular attractions for visitors and locals alike. If you time your visit to the canal correctly, you may see some of the 900 vessels that travel underneath the aerial lift bridge annually. There are also several live cams of the bridge and canal you can watch.

View SHIPPING SCHEDULE

Watch LIVE CAMS

Ship Watching: A Must-See Experience

A multi-generational family watches a ship as it enters the duluth harbor under the iconic aerial lift bridge in canal park of duluth, minnesota.

Witnessing a 1,000-foot ship navigate the canal as the Aerial Lift Bridge rises is a quintessential Duluth experience. Whether you’re a maritime enthusiast or a casual observer, it’s a sight that never gets old.

Canal Park & The Lakewalk
The best place to see ships up close is Canal Park, where visitors can gather near the Duluth Ship Canal and aerial lift bridge. The Lakewalk provides a scenic spot to watch ships while enjoying a stroll.

Park Point Beach
For a vantage point where you can set up and relax for the day, Park Point Beach is a must-visit spot.

Enger Tower & Skyline Parkway
For a bird’s-eye view, head up to Enger Tower or drive along Skyline Parkway to see the harbor from above.

Shipping History: Dive into the Past

The aerial lift bridge is seen over the entrance to the lake superior maritime museum in duluth, mn

The Maritime Museum, located inside the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, is your place to view the people, ships, and businesses that built the ports around Lake Superior. This free museum offers a fantastic voyage into the history of the Great Lakes.

Duluth Shipping Facts

The Port of Duluth-Superior, ranked in the top 20 ports in the US by cargo tonnage, accommodates the maritime transportation needs of a wide range of industries ranging from agriculture, forestry, mining, manufacturing, power generation, and passenger cruising. The port provides over 11,500 jobs that are dependent on the cargo shipments that come in and out of 20 private docks along 49 miles of shoreline. Needless to say, this port has been the backbone of this region’s economy for a long time – over a century to be exact.

Explore More Shipping Facts

Head to Port

Check the Harbor Lookout ship schedule to start planning your next maritime adventure.