Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Custom Search Boston Harbor Islands national park area includes 30 islands situated within the Greater Boston shoreline. The islands are rich in natural and cultural resources. The 30 islands are managed by a unique, 13 member Partnership which includes the National Park Service and other public and private organizations. An advisory council provides a mechanism for public involvement.   CONTACTS Email - BOHA_Information@nps.gov Fax- 617-223-8671 Write to Boston Harbor Islands Partnership 408 Atlantic Avenue Suite 228 Boston, MA 02110-3350 Phone Visitor Information - 617-223-8666 Project Office - 617-223-8667 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons During the summer season, the islands are open daily from 9:00 A.M. until sunset. During the spring and fall the islands are open on the weekends. Special arrangements for school groups are possible for weekdays in spring, summer, and fall seasons. Some sites have additional hours. Getting There PLANE - Logan International Airport is on Boston Harbor; watch for a panoranmic view of the islands on take-off and landing. Public transporation connects to the Boston Long Wharf departure point. CAR - Automobile acces is not avaiable to the Boston Harbor Islands. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Passenger ferries link the islands to the mainland at several locations. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority connects to the major departure points for the islands. Weather & Climate Weather is variable, from clear, crisp days to stormy, chilly days. Water breezes make for cooler ferry rides, requiring jackets or windbreakers. Walking shoes, hats, sunscreen are essential. Accessibility The islands are not fully accessible for disabled visitors. Ferry vessels are accessible by wheelchair with staff assistance, but getting off the boat onto the islands may be difficult because of the ramps. Georges Island has some areas that are suitable for wheelchair use. Getting Around Access is from downtown Boston and also from Hingham, Hull and Quincy on the South Shore. In season, regularly scheduled ferries connect to Georges Island where water shuttles take visitors to other islands. Private boats may anchor off-shore. CAMPING Boston Harbor Islands The camping season starts in early May and continues through Columbus Day weekend in October. Four islands offer primitive camping within sight of downtown Boston. Access is by boat ONLY. Fresh water is not available (campers should bring at least one gallon of water per person, per day). No pets are allowed on the Boston Harbor Islands. For More Information on this campground please call 617-223-8666 FACILITIES Ranger Stations INFORMATION KIOSK Phone - 617-223-8666 Location - Long Wharf, Boston (next to ferry ticket booth) Available Facilities - Rangers and volunteers provide public information and orientation to the Boston Harbor Islands. Visitor Centers NATIONAL PARK AREA DISCOVERY CENTER Phone - 617-223-8666 Location - Fan Pier, at the United States Courthouse on South Boston’s waterfront. Exhibits - Interactive video offers visitors a unique virtual tour of Boston Light and Little Brewster Island, Grape Island and George’s Islands, as well as a soaring trip 'as the gull flies' over all 30 islands in the Park. (It is is funded by a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation through the National Park Foundation.) Available Facilities - A staffed information desk in season. Books and other island-related sales items available. Food service and restrooms also provided.   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area.   Campgrounds Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Prospect Lake Park, Winthrop, 6 miles away Camp Cedar, Brookline, 6 miles away Boston Harbor Islands Grape Island Bumpkin Island, -blank-, 9 miles away Lorraine Park Campground, Essex County, 13 miles away Wompatuck State Park, -blank-, 15 miles away Norwell Campsites, Norwell, 16 miles away Canoe River Campground, East Mansfield, 20 miles away   Marinas Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Marina at James Landing, Boston , 0 miles away Shipyard Quarters Marina, Charlestown , 1 miles away Constitution Marina, Charlestown , 1 miles away Chelsea's Cottage Landing, Chelsea , 1 miles away Boston Bay Marina, East Boston , 1 miles away   Hotels Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Boston Marriott Long Wharf, Boston , 0 miles away Boston Harbor Hotel, Boston , 0 miles away The Harborside Inn, Boston , 0 miles away Marriott's Custom House, Boston , 0 miles away Club Quarters, Boston, Boston , 0 miles away Boston Financial District Hilton, Boston , 0 miles away Oakwood Boston, Boston , 0 miles away   Beaches Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Carson Beach, Suffolk County , 2 miles away Malibu Beach, Suffolk County , 2 miles away L Street Beach, Suffolk County , 2 miles away Savin Hill Beach, Suffolk County , 3 miles away Orient Heights Beach, Suffolk County , 3 miles away   Ski Areas Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Blue Hills, Massachusetts , 9 miles away, 309 foot drop, 5 lifts, 8 runs Bradford, Massachusetts , 20 miles away, 300 foot drop, 8 lifts, 13 runs McIntyre, New Hampshire , 43 miles away, 300 foot drop, 5 lifts, 11 runs Yawgoo Valley, Rhode Island , 54 miles away, 245 foot drop, 4 lifts, 12 runs Wachusett Mountain, Massachusetts , 58 miles away, 1000 foot drop, 6 lifts, 20 runs Gunstock, New Hampshire , 64 miles away, 1400 foot drop, 8 lifts, 45 runs Abenaki, New Hampshire , 65 miles away, 100 foot drop, 2 lifts, 6 runs Pats Peak, New Hampshire , 66 miles away, 710 foot drop, 8 lifts, 21 runs Crotched Mountain, New Hampshire , 66 miles away, 875 foot drop, 5 lifts, 23 runs Pine Ridge, Massachusetts , 73 miles away, 200 foot drop, 1 lifts, 8 runs   Whitewater Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Charles River, Norfolk County , 16 miles away, Class I - 0.1 miles long (Needham Rapids) Cohasset Tidal Rip, Norfolk County , 19 miles away, Class I-II - 0 miles long (Cohasset) Concord River, Middlesex County , 22 miles away, Class III+(IV) - 1.5 miles long (Close to Lowell)   Public Lands Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, Woonsocket - RI , 36 miles away Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley National Heritage Corridor, Putnam - CT , 61 miles away Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet - MA , 70 miles away Harold Parker State Forest, Massachusetts , 14 miles away Wompatuck State Park, Massachusetts , 16 miles away Willowdale State Forest, Massachusetts , 18 miles away Georgetown-Rowley State Forest, Massachusetts , 18 miles away   Golf Courses Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area: City Golf Boston, Boston , 1 miles away Franklin Park Golf Course, Dorchester , 3 miles away Presidents Golf Course, Quincy , 5 miles away Bellevue Golf Club, Melrose , 5 miles away Granite Links Golf Club at Quarry Hills, Milton , 6 miles away   Lakes Near Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Fellsmere Pond, Middlesex County , 4 miles away Sunset Lake, Norfolk County , 8 miles away Sprague Pond, Suffolk County , 9 miles away Mishawum Lake, Middlesex County , 10 miles away Devils Dishfull Pond, Essex County , 10 miles away