Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

Enjoy beautiful summer sunsets during special evening programs on the islands.

A big arched door opens to the parade ground of Fort Warren.

Explore Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort, on Georges Island.

Group of children sit on a bench on a drumlin hill on Spectacle Island overlooking Boston Harbor

The drumlin hills of Spectacle Island have some of the best views of Boston Harbor.

view from Spectacle Island overlooking the water with a public ferry and a sailboat

Public ferries run to several of the islands, such as Spectacle, Georges, and Peddocks Islands.

a white lighthouse and other buildings on Little Brewster Island at sunset. City in the distance.

See Boston Light, the oldest light station in the country, during summer Lighthouse Cruises.

A lighthouse lens to the left, and to the right is a window looking out over a rocky shoreline.

Boston Light's Fresnel lens still operates today, guiding ships into Boston Harbor.

Beach on Peddocks Island, with a white chapel and forested area in the background.

With public ferry access and campsites, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the nature and history of Peddocks Island.

Several seals resting on rocking outcropping

Harbor seals are just one of the many animals visitors might see while traversing Boston Harbor.

Salt marshes during fall. The tall grass and surrounding forest have orange and yellow coloring.

Like many of the islands, Thompson Island (also known as Cathleen Stone Island) is home to many habitats, including salt marshes.

Photos: National Park Service

About Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, view historic lighthouses, explore tide pools, hike lush trails, camp under the stars, or relax while fishing, picnicking, or swimming—all within reach of downtown Boston. Youth programs, visitor services, research, wildlife management, and more are coordinated on the park's 34 islands and peninsulas by the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Recreation Area

Park State / Territory MembershipMassachusetts

Current Alerts2

Visitor Centers4

Campgrounds0

Things To Do17

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

The Boston Harbor Islands have a humid maritime climate characterized by slightly cooler temperatures than the mainland, so dress in layers. Typical summer conditions feature air temperatures approximately 5-10 degrees cooler than the mainland, winds of 0-15 knots and waves of 1-3 feet.

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Massachusetts. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

Boston Harbor Islands is a Partnership park. Operating hours and seasons vary. Visit bostonharborislands.org to plan your trip.

FridayAll Day

MondayAll Day

SaturdayAll Day

SundayAll Day

ThursdayAll Day

TuesdayAll Day

WednesdayAll Day

Activities

Arts and CultureLive MusicBoatingCampingBackcountry CampingCanoe or Kayak CampingFishingSaltwater FishingFoodDiningPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHikingLiving HistoryPaddling

Current Alerts

Weather Cancellation - Ferry Service to Spectacle and Peddocks Islands

All ferries to Spectacle and Peddocks Islands are cancelled Thursday, 9/24 through Sunday, 9/27 due to the approaching nor’easter. The Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center will be closed Thursday-Sunday. Saturday’s BIPOC Birding cruise and Sunday’s Charlestown Community Cruise are cancelled.

Contact Us

We continue to experience issues with our phone lines, please contact us via our email address: boha_information@nps.gov

Getting There

There are many ways to enjoy Boston Harbor Islands and many ways to get there. For more information on how to get to the park by ferry, car, or private boat, please visit www.bostonharborislands.org.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed AddressBoston Harbor Islands National and State Park, 21 Second Ave, Charlestown, MA, 02129

Phone6178193587

EmailBOHA_Information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

American RevolutionArcheologyBurial, Cemetery and GravesiteColonization and SettlementEnslavementFortsIncarcerationIndustryMaritimeCoastal DefensesMaritime - MilitaryLighthousesPiracy and PrivateeringShips and ShipwrecksMedicineHospital

Things To Do

Hike Spectacle Island's Drumlins

Hike one of the drumlins of Spectacle Island to catch beautiful views of the city and harbor.

Visit One of the Boston Harbor Islands

Made up of 34 unique islands and peninsulas, the Boston Harbor Islands have something for everyone. Choose an island and…

Hike with a Ranger on Spectacle Island

Join a ranger for a hike on Spectacle Island!