🏆 Official Guide: Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park — 34 islands and peninsulas scattered across Boston Harbor, with a Civil War fort, a recovered green island of trails, and seasonal ferries from downtown.
Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park is one of the country’s most unusual parks: a constellation of 34 islands and peninsulas spread across Boston Harbor, co-managed by the National Park Service and the Massachusetts DCR together with local partners. Thirteen of the islands are open to the public, and in summer you can reach the headliners by a short ferry ride from the heart of downtown Boston — trading skyline for sea air in under an hour.
The islands range from historic forts to a reborn wilderness. Georges Island (39 acres) is crowned by Fort Warren, the Civil War fortress dedicated in 1847 that served as a training ground and a prison known for the humane treatment of its Confederate captives. Spectacle Island, once a harbor dump, was capped and replanted during the Big Dig and now offers five miles of trails and the best skyline views in the harbor. There’s no fee to enter the islands — you pay only for the ferry.
What Makes This Park Unique
34 Islands in a City Harbor
A scattered archipelago of 34 islands and peninsulas — 13 open to the public — all within sight of the Boston skyline.
Fort Warren on Georges Island
Explore the granite Civil War fort (dedicated 1847) on ranger-led tours — parade grounds, dark passageways, and harbor-defense history.
Spectacle Island Reborn
A former dump transformed into green hills with 5 miles of trails, a swimming beach, and an ADA-accessible 1.5-mile perimeter loop.
Island Camping
Primitive tent camping on Peddocks, Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells islands — a rare wilderness night within reach of the city.
Things to Do
Fort tours: Ranger-led tours of Fort Warren on Georges Island bring the harbor’s Civil War defenses to life; kids love the tunnels and cannon.
Hiking & beaches: Walk Spectacle Island’s trails to the summit overlook, or swim at its supervised beach. Peddocks adds trails, a visitor center, and yurts.
Camping: Reserve primitive island campsites (Peddocks, Grape, Bumpkin, Lovells) for a genuine harbor overnight — you carry in everything.
Getting Out to the Islands
Public ferries run May through October. Georges and Spectacle islands are served from Boston’s Long Wharf; Peddocks Island is reached by ferry from Hingham. From Georges, a free inter-island shuttle connects to Peddocks, Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells in season. Check the ferry operator’s current schedule and book ahead for summer weekends.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | FREE to enter; ferry fare applies |
| Islands | 34 islands & peninsulas (13 public; 3 main by ferry) |
| Georges Island | 39 acres; Fort Warren (dedicated 1847) |
| Camping | Primitive tent camping on 4 islands (seasonal) |
| Ferry Season | May–October, from Long Wharf (Boston) & Hingham |
| Official Info | NPS – Boston Harbor Islands · Mass.gov |
Getting There
Ferries to Georges and Spectacle depart from Long Wharf, steps from the Aquarium Blue Line stop in downtown Boston. For Peddocks, drive or take the commuter boat to Hingham shipyard. There is no car access to the islands — everything runs by boat.
Nearby Parks Worth Combining
Combine an island day with the Bay-front beaches and cypress swamps of Nickerson and the wider Massachusetts state parks guide, which maps the coast, the Berkshires, and everything between.
Facts verified against the National Park Service and Mass.gov (DCR), July 2026. Ferry schedules, camping reservations, and island access change seasonally — check the official park site before your trip.
Park Location
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