Thousand Islands National Park National Park

Address: Thousand Islands National Park, Ontario, Canada (park span across St. Lawrence River islands near Kingston and Brockville)

Website: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/1000

Hours: Park visitor services seasonal (typically May-Oct); parks open year-round for viewing

Admission: Park entrance/registration fees apply for some services; basic island access varies (Parks Canada fees may apply for boat launch/visitor services)

Thousand Islands National Park is a protected area of islands, shorelines and mainland parcels on the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada; it was first established in 1904. The park conserves riverine islands and shoreline habitat within the Thousand Islands region and serves both recreation and conservation roles.

The park is best known for its mosaic of islands and river channels that are explored by boat. Visitors use marked mainland trails, picnic areas and campgrounds and take boat or kayak trips to reach small, wooded islands and shoreline viewpoints. Mallorytown Landing is the main visitor hub with facilities for day visitors, campers and boat access into the island network.

The park was created in 1904 as St. Lawrence Islands National Park and later renamed; it has been managed to protect fragile island ecosystems while accommodating low-impact recreation. Facilities and access arrangements have evolved to concentrate visitor services on a few mainland sites and to limit development on islands.

The park lies on the St. Lawrence River in eastern Ontario between the urban centres along the river corridor, with mainland access points near small river towns and boat launch sites. Many park units are island parcels in the river channel rather than a single contiguous landmass.

• Boat access: Many islands are reachable only by private boat or park boat tours, so bring or arrange water transport for exploring beyond mainland sites.
• Best time to visit: Peak visitor season runs from late spring through early autumn when camping, kayaking and swimming are available.

What to See#

• Mallorytown Landing: Serves as the park’s main mainland access point with a visitor centre, campground and day-use facilities that act as the base for boat trips into the island clusters.

The park comprises many islands along the St. Lawrence between Kingston and Brockville. Access is primarily by private boat or commercial boat tours departing from Kingston, Gananoque and Brockville; local marinas offer boat rentals and launch services.

• If arriving by private boat, check local mooring rules and protected-areas regs; many islands are fragile.
• Book camping or lodge permits in advance in summer; prime weekend slots fill quickly.
• Fishers and kayakers should watch for rapidly changing winds across the St. Lawrence; mornings are usually calmer.