boston-harbor-islands | MA | Find park

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.

Looking out onto a hill and a small spit of land connecting it to the mainland.

One of the mainland parks, World's End provides easy walking paths and beautiful views of Hingham and Boston Harbor.

A bird with brown plumage flies close to the water, its wings touching the surface

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is considered an Important Bird Area (IBA). The islands provide an important site for long-term research, education, and bird conservation.

Physical Address:

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park

21 Second Ave

Charlestown, MA 02129

Mailing Address:

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park

21 Second Ave

Charlestown, MA 02129

contact-details

Phone Number: 6178193587 Voice

Email Address: BOHA_Information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

. . . 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.

park designation:National Recreation Area

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Boston Harbor Islands

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

Exceptions:

Winter (October 15, 2026 - May 17, 2027)

Weather Information:

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.