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
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.
Activities
Current Alerts
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.
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 DirectionsContact & Address
The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.
Topics & Themes
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!
Fort Tours on Georges Island
Join a ranger for a tour of Fort Warren on Georges Island!
Take a Lighthouse Cruise
Cruise Boston’s outer harbor to learn about navigational aids in Boston and the uses of the islands over time.
Learn about Boston's "Wicked" High Tides
Learn about Boston's coastlines and King tides by taking the High Tide Trail audio tour or joining a high tide…
More Things to Do
Additional activities and experiences from the National Park Service.
Camp on the Boston Harbor Islands
Experience the ultimate urban escape with an overnight camping stay on the Boston Harbor Islands!
Art in the Park at the Boston Harbor Islands
Join our volunteers on the Boston Harbor Islands to create your very own piece of artwork!
Visit a Mainland Park
Made up of 34 unique islands and peninsulas, the Boston Harbor Islands have something for everyone. Choose a mainland park and plan…
Join a Stewardship Saturday Program
Join us for a Stewardship Saturday program! Work alongside park staff clearing invasive species, improving trails, and protecting important habitat areas.
National Parks of Boston: Find Your Park Anywhere
Find your park anywhere, from your home to your backyard, with activities spanning the National Parks of Boston.
Explore Fort Warren
Travel back in time and explore Fort Warren on Georges Island.
Swim in Boston Harbor
Cool off by taking a dip in Boston Harbor! Swim in Spectacle's designated swimming area.
Explore Boston with a Free Audio Tour
Explore Downtown Boston, Beacon Hill, and Charlestown with a self-guided audio tour!
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston African American National Historic Site
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston African American National Historic Site by learning about the sites along the Black Heritage Trail Trail® here…
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston National Historical Park
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston National Historical Park by learning about the sites along the Freedom Trail® here in Boston.
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park
Become a Junior Ranger at Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park!
Visitor Centers
Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center
Located on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center offers visitor information and serves as a waypoint before beginning your journey to…
Georges Island Visitor Center
The Visitor Center on Georges Island occupies a 1906 historic brick building that originally stored and serviced mines for the minefield located in Boston Harbor.…
Spectacle Island Visitor Center
The Spectacle Island Visitor Center has a staffed information desk, a small island exhibit and informative island movie, and restrooms.
Peddocks Island Visitor Center
The former Guardhouse for Fort Andrews, the Peddocks Island Visitor Center is located near the dock. An information desk and seating are available with restrooms…
Nearby National Park Service Sites
These sites are ordered by straight-line distance between NPS reference coordinates. This is useful for comparison, but it is not road mileage. Trails, parkways, rivers, and distributed units may extend far from their reference point.
Nearby Cities for Trip Planning
These cities are ordered by straight-line distance from the NPS reference coordinate. They are comparison starting points, not official park gateways or road-distance estimates. Trails and other distributed units may extend far beyond this reference point.
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