• Lush vegetation on the top of Spectacle Island's North drumlin dominates the foreground. Boston's skyline can be seen in the distance. The park's logo with tag line minutes away, worlds apart empashises the stark contrast between the city and islands.

    Boston Harbor Islands

    National Recreation Area Massachusetts

Here is a place . . .

. . . where you can walk a Civil War-era fort, visit 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.

Features

  • Visitors disembark the park ferry.

    Ready to plan your trip?

    Catch the ferry and explore your islands. Come for the day, or camp overnight. A variety of special events, tours and programs are offered.

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  • Civil war soldiers pose in front of a 15-inch Rodman cannon at Fort Warren, circa 1865

    Want to step back in time?

    Explore Fort Warren on Georges Island. Join us for special events and programs commemorating the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.

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  • Aerial view of Little Brewster Island showing Boston Light, the light keeper's house, and two other outbulidings.

    Looking for adventure?

    Take a ranger-led tour to the outer reaches of Boston Harbor and visit the oldest lightstation in America. Climb to the top of Boston Light.

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Did You Know?

Double-crested Cormorant Rests at Boston Harbor Islands

Shag Rocks in Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area offers roosting sites for cormorants and other seabirds that fish the surrounding waters.  Better known in Britain as “shags,” cormorants gave this rocky outcropping its name. More...