Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area

National Recreation Area · MA · nps.gov page

A child dancing on the beach at dusk
Enjoy beautiful summer sunsets during special evening programs on the islands.Photo: NPS Photo

. . . 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.

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Photos

A big arched door opens to the parade ground of Fort Warren.
Explore Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort, on Georges Island.Photo: Arlan Fonseca
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.Photo: NPS Photo
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.Photo: NPS Photo/ M. Bozio
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.Photo: NPS Photo/ M. Bozio
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.Photo: NPS Photo/ K. Woods
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.Photo: Arlan Fonseca
Several seals resting on rocking outcropping
Harbor seals are just one of the many animals visitors might see while traversing Boston Harbor.Photo: NPS Photo/ E. Bernbaum
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.Photo: NPS Photo / E. Bernbaum
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.Photo: Matt Teuten
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.Photo: NPS Photo/ E. Deino

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.