Activities: Boating, Fishing, Swimming, Walking, Camping
Access: Ferries from Boston, Quincy, Hingham
State: Massachusetts
Town: Boston
Facilities: Varies by island

Boston Harbor Islands

The Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is a collection of 34 islands in and around Boston Harbor. Many of the larger islands feature shell and slate beaches, hiking trails, picnic areas, old forts and campgrounds. The smallest islands are habitats for wildlife only. This area is a popular destination for boating and fishing. Georges and Spectacle islands are primarily accessed by ferries from Boston and Quincy and water taxis run from these two islands to other islands. Dogs may accompany their owners on the park ferries but may not disembark on the islands (service dogs excepted). Private boats can land in many places including a well developed marina at Spectacle. The rich history of the islands and details of all there is to do can be found in Christopher Klein's Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands available at amazon.com

Overnight camping is permitted on Grape, Bumpkin, Lovells, from late June to early September. Camping is by reservation only and a fee is charged. Campsites are primitive and do not offer amenities such as drinking water from a tap or hot water showers. Weather conditions are variable and temperatures in the harbor are usually cooler than those on the mainland. You must bring your own drinking water and food. Reserve campsites on Grape, Bumpkin, or Lovells at www.reserveamerica.com.

Georges Island

Fort Warren, a National Historic Landmark, is the primary feature here. Built between 1833 and 1869, Fort Warren was used during the Civil War to train Union soldiers and later as a prison for captured Confederates. There are picnic areas, snack bar and rest rooms with running water.George's is open to the public from May to mid-October. Spectacle Island: 105 acre Spectacle Island features a marina, visitor center, rest rooms with running water, cafe, swimming beach with lifeguards (in season) and spectacular views of Boston from a 157 foot high hill. The island has five miles of trails for walking.  Map

Lovells Island
Popular with campers, Lovell's is a quiet island othat offers beaches, tide pools, dunes, woods, marshes and great views of the outer harbor. The remains of Fort Standish are open for exploring. There are 11 campsites, day use picnic areas and a swimming beach. Map

Peddocks Island
188 acre Peddocks is one of the largest islands in Boston harbor. The remains of century old Fort Andrews are here along with a salt marsh, pond and mature coastal forests. Map

Bumpkin Island
35 acre Bumpkin provides an open and relaxed atmosphere for camping with 10 individual campsites and one group site. There are slate and shell beaches, a stone farmhouse and the remains of a children's hospital. Map

Grape Island
Wild berries and rose hips are abundant on 50 acre Grape and provide food for many types of birds. Trails wind around the isdland and through the woods. Here there are 10 individual campsites and one group site as well as picnic areas. Map

Great Brewster Island
This 23 acre island offers great views from a 100-foot hill. There are picnic tables, trail, composting toilet, and a small weather shelter. Map

Webb Memorial State Park

This 36-acre peninsula in Weymouth offers walking trails and great harbor views. There are picnic tables, grills and a pavilion available for large groups. Handicap accessible restrooms are on site. The free parking lot is next to the beach making it easy to launch a kayak.

Ferry Information

• Boston at Long Wharf has frequent service to Georges and Spectacle Islands, with free service between them. Connect to Georges from other islands for small fee.
• South Boston at EDIC Pier has limited service to Thompson Island, with free connections to Spectacle Island.
• Quincy at Fore River Shipyard serves Georges Island, with free connections to Spectacle and service to other islands for a small fee.
• Hingham at Hingham Shipyard and Hull at Pemberton Point have frequent service to Grape, Bumpkin, Peddocks, Georges, and Lovells Islands, with free connecting service to Spectacle Island.
• Park ferry schedule to Georges and Spectacle Tel: 617-223-8666.

More

• Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
• Boston Globe article by Christopher Klein
• Thanks to the Big Dig and the incredible cleanup of the harbor, the 34 Boston Harbor Islands are experiencing unprecedented visitation, finally assuming their rightful place as Boston's backyard. Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands a recent book from author Christopher Klein, is an indispensable guide to help you plan your island adventures. Explore the military installations that protected Boston during wartime including Fort Warren, home of Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. Visit Boston Light on Little Brewster, site of the nation's oldest lighthouse. Kayak into the coves where pirates and bootleggers once hid. Wander the meadows that were the camps of Native Americans and the sites of Revolutionary skirmishes.  Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands is published by Union Park Press and may be purchased at amazon.com.

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