Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands are granite islands in the St. Lawrence River, best seen from a tour boat or a kayak.
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The Thousand Islands sit where the St. Lawrence River leaves Lake Ontario, a stretch of granite islands between Kingston and Brockville in Ontario. The river forms part of the border with New York State, so islands lie on both sides of the line. The same granite runs under much of eastern Ontario and shapes the shoreline, the rocky outcrops and the small islands you see from the water.
Most people see the islands from a boat. Tour cruises run through the channels, and you can rent a kayak and paddle between the islands at your own pace. On the Canadian side, Thousand Islands National Park has a mainland landing, so you can start a visit without a boat. The area suits travelers who want scenery, slow days on the river and an easy drive from Kingston. Summer is the main boating season. Plan two or three days for a cruise, a paddle and a park visit.
Thousand Islands in five
- Remember that islands are boat-onlyParks Canada says island access in Thousand Islands National Park is by boat only. Its page lists a shuttle, boat rental, cruises and kayak or canoe options for visitors without a boat.Ways to reach the islands
- Check the park's 2026 season datesParks Canada lists island facilities from May 15 to October 12, 2026, and Mallorytown Landing hours from September 8 to October 12, with self-serve registration. Confirm 2027 dates in spring.Park visit page
- Use the mainland landing as a short stopParks Canada points to Mallorytown Landing for a riverside break and hiking trails without a boat. It sits on the mainland and suits a stop on the Toronto to Montréal drive.Thousand Islands NP
- Carry a passport for the bridgeThe Thousand Islands Bridge crosses to the U.S., so carry the documents the border needs. An eTA applies only to flying into Canada; the eTA guide has the rules for your passport.Canada eTA explained
- Pair it with Kingston and OttawaKingston is the natural base at the western end, and Ottawa lies along the Rideau route. Parks Canada says the park is a few hours from Toronto or Montréal.Kingston
Need to know
- Airport
- Ottawa (YOW) or Montréal-Trudeau; most visitors arrive by car
- Getting there
- Highway 401 between Kingston and Brockville; a few hours from Toronto or Montréal
- Getting around
- Car; islands by boat, shuttle or kayak
- Best base
- Kingston, or a river town such as Gananoque
- Time needed
- A day for a cruise; 2 days with Kingston
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh-2°Low-8°Cold, quietJanuaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruarySnow12 rainy days5 snowy daysHigh0°Low-8°Cold, quietFebruarySnow
Poor
- High
- 0°
- Low
- -8°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 5
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchCloudy12 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh4°Low-3°Late winterMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- 4°
- Low
- -3°
- Precipitation
- 96 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Late winter
- AprilRain14 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh10°Low2°Spring, quietAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 10°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 111 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, quiet
- MayRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low8°Season opensMayRain
Good
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Season opens
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Cruises, kayaksJuneRain
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cruises, kayaks
- JulyPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh26°Low18°Peak seasonJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh25°Low17°Peak seasonAugustRain
Best
- High
- 25°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Peak season
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh22°Low14°Fall, quieterSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall, quieter
- OctoberRain13 rainy daysHigh15°Low8°Fall colourOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 177 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall colour
- NovemberRain13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh7°Low1°Cool, closingNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, closing
- DecemberSnow15 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh1°Low-4°Cold, snowDecemberSnow
Poor
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 134 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Gananoque, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Thousand Islands
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 57%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Thousand Islands
06:24 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today17°7°3%Monday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue14°10°53%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Wed21°12°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu17°12°79%Thursday: Rain. High 17°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Fri14°10°26%Friday: Rain. High 14°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 26%.
- Sat10°5°29%Saturday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 29%.
- Sun9°5°18%Sunday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 18%.
Updated 03:46 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Thousand Islands National Parka short boat trip from the mainlandParks Canada says a shuttle can reach some park islands in about 5 minutes.
- Kingstona short drive westLimestone fortifications, harbor cruises and a good overnight stop.Read the guide
- Ottawaa half day by roadThe capital, linked by the 202 km Rideau Canal route.Read the guide
Before you go to Thousand Islands
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Thousand Islands, checked
- Parks Canada: Thousand Islands National Park island access is by boat only; island facilities are listed May 15 to October 12, 2026.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Government of Canada: visa-exempt foreign nationals do not need an eTA when arriving by car, bus, train or boat, only to fly in.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Thousand Islands
The limestone city at the western end
Read the guideOttawaThe capital along the Rideau route
Read the guideTorontoA few hours west by road or rail
Read the guideMontréalA few hours east by road or rail
Read the guideGetting around CanadaCar hire and long distances
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideThousand Islands FAQ
How do you see the Thousand Islands without a boat?
Parks Canada lists a cruise, a shuttle that can reach some islands in about 5 minutes, boat rentals and guided or rented kayaks and canoes. Mallorytown Landing offers a mainland stop with trails.
Is Thousand Islands National Park open all year?
Parks Canada lists island facilities from May 15 to October 12, 2026, and Mallorytown Landing seasonal hours, with self-serve registration. Check the park page for the season that matches your dates.
Where should you stay for the Thousand Islands?
Kingston gives the most choice and the easiest transport. A river town such as Gananoque suits a short boat-focused stay. Check cruise operators' seasons, which usually run from spring to fall.
Do you need a passport for the Thousand Islands?
Only if you plan to cross the bridge to the U.S. The Parks Canada sights are on the Canadian side, but the crossing is an international border, so carry the passport the border requires.
How many days do you need for the Thousand Islands?
A day covers one cruise or a paddle and the mainland landing. Two days with Kingston let you add the fortifications and a longer drive on toward Ottawa or Montréal.