Boating

Make yourself at home in the islands

Parks Canada welcomes families to play together in the country’s beautiful spaces. In Eastern Ontario, boaters flock to the cozy clusters of islands in Thousand Islands National Park to reconnect with their loved ones and recharge against a backdrop of natural beauty. Breathe in pine scented air on an island hike, take in a family nature program from a park interpreter who will personally visit your dock, or relax among friends – it’s your choice. Enjoy the comforts of your boat on fully serviced islands or tranquil, rustic islands. For the more adventurous, set up a tent with the kids and gather ‘round the fire for marshmallows.

Our Don't have a boat? page explains how to get to the islands if you don’t have a boat.

Boaters who like the option of spending the night ashore will be tempted by the amenities of Parks Canada oTENTik camping accommodations.

Plan your trip

• Boaters can launch their vessel from Mallorytown Landing and a number of municipal and private marinas between Brockville and Kingston.
• Check out our facilities and services page to pick the island that best suits your needs. Browse the availability of generator use, garbage and recycling collection, campsites, picnic shelters, wood stoves, and barbeques on different islands.
• To protect our forests from the Emerald Ash Borer, all firewood MUST be purchased in the park. Firewood cannot be moved into or out of the park. Collecting firewood from the forest is prohibited.
• Docks and/or mooring buoys, composting toilets and picnic tables are available on all serviced islands.
• Be sure to use a navigational chart to avoid hidden rocks and shoals.
• Knowledgeable island attendants circulate throughout the islands to serve you and maintain facilities, sell firewood, assist with fee payment, help with concerns, and make your experience a positive one.
• Enjoy hiking trails and great swimming on the islands.
• Visit our camping page for our full camping offer.

Fees

• See our park fees page for a full list of fees.
• All vessels must have a valid mooring or beaching permit. These permits are NOT included with camping or oTENTik fees and must be purchased on arrival at the island.
• Day docking fees and overnight docking fees are calculated by boat length.
• Other relevant fees include launching/parking fees at Mallorytown Landing, beaching fees for dinghies, mooring buoy fees, camping fees, and firewood fees.
• Payment options for self-registration permits:
  • At the Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre with cash, debit, credit or a cheque made out to the Receiver General for Canada. Signs on the deposit boxes outline the fee details and instructions for self-registration.
  • Otherwise, self-register on the islands at the green deposit boxes located near most docks. Fees can be paid by cash, credit or a cheque made out to the Receiver General for Canada. Signs on the deposit boxes outline the fee details and instructions for self-registration.  
• Fees remain in the park and are used to improve facilities and services.

For your comfort and safety

• Dock space is established on a first-come, first-served basis. Overnight docking and day docking passes expire at 11 am and 7 pm, respectively. Arriving 30 minutes before these times and chatting with boaters is a good strategy to get dock space on your island of choice.
• Docking is limited to 3 consecutive nights per island or mooring buoy.
• Yellow lines on docks are spaces reserved for park and emergency vessels.
• Blue lines on docks are for camping and oTENTik permit holders only. Docking fees are NOT included in camping and oTENTik fees and must be purchased on arrival at the island.
• Garbage and recycling service and generator use is available on limited islands. Visitors who want a more natural park experience can enjoy generator-free islands that have a pack-in, pack-out policy in place. Identify these islands on our facilities and services page.
• Please respect quiet hours and your boating neighbours from 10 pm to 8 am.
• Raise a glass to your visit, but only at your campsite. Liquor is prohibited on docks, in shelters or in public places.
• Black legged ticks, potential carriers of Lyme disease and Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis, are common in Eastern Ontario and Thousand Islands National Park. Please visit our Ticks and Your Health page for more information on how to protect yourself.
• The water of the St. Lawrence River and other surface water in the area may carry bacteria. Water should be filtered, treated, or boiled before drinking or bring your own drinking water. For more information regarding drinking water please refer to Health Canada’s website.
• Be sure that you are well prepared and that you have all the right gear to make every outing safe and enjoyable. Visit AdventureSmart for more details.

• For more information on natural hazards, weather conditions, and planning a safe activity, please see our Visitor Safety page.