Reservable camping information
Thousand Islands National Park
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General camping information
Island oTENTik accommodations – Accessible only by watercraft. Campers must arrange their own transportation to the island.
- Operating season (nights):
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- May 15 to October 12, 2020
- Reservable period (nights):
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- May 15 to October 11, 2020
- Reservable percentage:
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- Cedar: not reservable
- Milton: not reservable
- Aubrey: 71% reservable
- Beau Rivage: 71% reservable
- McDonald: 71% reservable
- Camelot: 83% reservable
- Gordon: 66% reservable
- Mulcaster: 100% reservable
- Georgina: 100% reservable
- Grenadier Central: 0% reservable
- Grenadier North: not reservable
- Grenadier East: 100% reservable
- Kiosk hours:
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- Self-Registration only. Please obtain a use permit at an island payment kiosk and post at campsite with either surname or reservation number clearly visible. The Island kiosks are not staffed, all users must self-register. Place blue portion of permit on your vessel and beige portion on your campsite marker.
- After hours registration:
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- Please obtain a use permit at an island payment kiosk and post at the campsite with either surname or reservation number clearly visible. The Island kiosks are not staffed, all users must self-register. Place blue portion of permit on your vessel.
- Self-registration permits are also the method to pay for beaching, mooring (docking) and firewood.
- Check in time:
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- Self check-in to site on arrival.
- Any time after 2 pm.
- Visitors who would like to arrive earlier may enjoy other park island facilities while waiting for their campsite to become vacant.
- Check out time:
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- Before 11 am.
- Quiet hours:
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- 10 pm - 8 am.
- No excessive noise at anytime.
- Maximum length of stay:
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- 14 consecutive days.
- Maximum persons per site:
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- 8 people.
- Maximum vehicles per site:
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- No vehicle access to the islands.
- Docking and beaching fees are extra and must be purchase on arrival on the Island through self-registration kisoks.
- Maximum camping units per site:
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- 2 tents (no wheeled camping units).
- Generator policy:
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- Generators are prohibited at most islands, with the exceptions of Beau Rivage island, McDonald island, and Grenadier Central island providing that they are only operated between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., operating generators are not left unattended, and exhaust fumes and excessive generator operation do not disturb other campground users.
- Amperage of electrical service:
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- Unserviced campsites only.
- Fire policy:
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- Firewood is sold by the bundle.
- Authorized in provided firepits only.
- Due to invasive species, all firewood must be purchased in the park and is available where fires are permitted.
- The purchase of the firewood is done through self-registration kiosks. Invasive insects and diseases can exist in firewood. Collecting wood from the forest is prohibited.
- Alcohol policy:
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- Possession and consumption of open liquor is permitted at campsites. One member of the camping party must be in possession of a valid camping permit, and the campsite must be used for camping. Possession and consumption of open liquor is not permitted in public places such as docks, picnic areas, etc.
- Pet policy:
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- Pets must be kept on a leash at all times and they must not be left unattended. You must be in physical control of pets at all times, control the noise levels, and always clean up after them. Pets are not allowed on island oTENTik accommodation campsites.
- Please do not dispose of pet waste bags in the composting toilets as this will cause damage.
- Internet/Wi-Fi access:
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- None
Campground locations:
- The park does not provide transportation. For information on regional providers (water taxis, boat, kayak and canoe rentals) please visit the park website https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/1000/visit/directions/acces-access. Boaters should also obtain the most current nautical navigational charts, topographic maps or NOAA charts for the region. Use your charts when planning your route and keep them handy during your trip.
- Cedar Campground: Located near the City of Kingston.
- Milton Campground: Located east of the City of Kingston.
- Aubrey Campground: Located in the Admiralty Islands near Gananoque.
- Beau Rivage Campground: Located in the Admiralty Islands near Gananoque.
- McDonald Campground: Located in the Admiralty Islands near Gananoque.
- Camelot Campground: Located in the Lake Fleet Islands east of Gananoque.
- Gordon Campground: Located in the Navy Islands east of Gananoque.
- Mulcaster Campground: Located west of Ivy Lea.
- Georgina Campground: Located near Ivy Lea.
- Grenadier Campground – Central: Grenadier Island is south of the park’s Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre.
- Grenadier Campground – North: Grenadier Island is south of the park’s Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre.
- Grenadier Campground – East: Grenadier Island is south of the park’s Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre.
Campground descriptions:
- For information on regional transportation providers (water taxis, boat, kayak and canoe rentals) please visit the park website. https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/on/1000/visit/directions/acces-access
- Reservable sites cannot be self-registered after 6pm on the date of arrival. Only non-reservable site can be self-registered. The camper will need to see if anyone is occupying the non-reservable sites to see if they can register for it.
- Most islands do not have garbage collection, “pack-in, pack-out” only. Garbage service is available on Beau Rivage, McDonald, and Central Grenadier Islands and at Mallorytown Landing only.
- Island campsites have composting toilets. Showers are not available in the park’s island campgrounds. Potable water is not available on park islands. Campers must bring, boil or treat their own water.
- The camping permit holder must be at least 19 years of age.
- Cedar – Cathcart Tower, part of Kingston's historic fortifications and a national historic site, sits on the south end of the island.
- Milton – At the western entrance to the Bateau Channel.
- Aubrey – Marks the western edge of the Frontenac Arch.
- Beau Rivage – Favourite spot for picnicking and camping since the park's inception in 1904. The campground at Beau Rivage provides an excellent base for exploring the Admiralty Island group by kayak or boat. The south bay of Beau Rivage provides excellent kayak beaching. Island facilities include two picnic shelters, composting toilets, walking trails and docks. Red Chair Program location.
- McDonald – Once used for farming, then as a youth camp by the Rotary Club and Sea Cadets. Now regenerating fields and forests provide prime wildlife habitat.
- Camelot – With its shoreline of rocky cliffs and secluded bays, Camelot Island is a very scenic island retreat. Reservable campsites are located on the southeast end of the island, some with water views and all with ready access to beaching sites and docks. Island facilities include a picnic shelter, composting toilets and walking trails.
- Gordon – Sandstone-based island with deep soils. The island has been a summer campsite for First Nations for thousands of years. Red Chair Program location.
- Mulcaster – "Nature's Arboretum" with 29 species of trees that highlight the diversity of the Thousand Islands flora. Quiet and privacy are hallmarks of a stay on Mulcaster Island. There are only two campsites on the island, located on the island’s south side. Both sites have water views and are a short walk to the main dock and beaching location. A walking trail circling the island takes hikers through a remarkably diverse forest habitat.
- Georgina – The Thousand Islands Bridge to the U.S. has footings on the island. Diverse forest habitats.
- Grenadier – Central – The largest campground in the park. Central Grenadier has a sandy beach, washrooms with sinks and flush toilets, and a communal picnic shelter. Group camping also available. The island still retains evidence of farming that was started by United Empire Loyalist settlers.
- Grenadier – North – closed
- Grenadier – East – Sheltered, shallow docking. Trail connects to township road, which traverses the 8 km island.
Roofed accommodation descriptions:
- oTENTiks (a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin) located on McDonald Island (3 units) and Gordon Island (2 units), as well as on the mainland at Mallorytown Landing (5 units) are available for reservation.
Inside each oTENTik:
- Sleeping area for up to 6 people.
- A table and seating for 6 people.
- Solar powered lighting.
- Phone charging station (12v adapter required).
- Fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Broom and dustpan.
- Please note: there is no plumbing or running water in the tents.
At each oTENTik campsite:
- Tent with front deck.
- Fire pit.
- Picnic table
- Charcoal barbecue and food preparation station.
- Adirondack chairs
Nearby:
- A large picnic shelter.
- Washrooms and showers (Mallorytown Landing only) and composting toilets (all locations).
- Water taps (Mallorytown Landing only).
- Firewood for purchase.
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Fees
- For information regarding camping fees for Thousand Islands National Park please see our Fees page.
- All vessels must have a valid mooring or beaching permit. These permits are NOT included with camping or oTENTik fees and must be purchased on arrival at the island through self-registration kiosks.
- Obtain a mooring or beaching permit at an island payment kiosk. The Island kiosks are not staffed, all users must self-register.
- The self-registration permits have three portions (carbon copies).
- The white (top) copy of the permit is the portion visitors fill out with their information and permits/firewood purchase, it is an envelope for cash, cheque, or credit card information.
- The second, blue portion (carbon copy) is the permit for your vessel to be posted on your vessel.
- The third, beige portion (carbon copy) is the campsite permit to be posted on the campsite post.
- Ensure the permits are clearly visible for park staff.
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If there is no vacancy for your dates
- There are 60 campsites spread amongst park islands. Roughly half (55%) are reservable and half are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The first-come, first-served.
- The campsites that are on a first-come, first-serve basis cannot be reserved. The visitor must be present to see availability on those campsites. If the campsite has a posted camping permit (self-registration permit obtained at the island kiosks), the campsite is taken for the night. If the campsite does not have a posted camping permit and does not have visitors occupying the campsite, the campsite may be used by anyone who self-registers through the island kiosks. Clearly fill out a self-registration permit obtained at the island kiosks, insert payment and post the permit on the campsite. There are no ways to know availability of these campsites in advance. For more information on first-come, first-serve campsites please contact the park directly: 613-923-5261
Parks of the St. Laurent (Ontario government):
- Brown's Bay Beach
- (Near Mallory town landing)
- Ivy Lea Campground-South
- Ivy Lea Campground-North
- (Near Thousand Islands Bridge)
- Campgrounds located near t 1000 Island National Park, vehicle accessible.
- https://stlaw.usedirect.com/StLawHome/Facilities/SearchView.aspx
- Online availability Calendar
- Reservation Call Center at 1-800-437-2233
MALLORYTOWN KOA:
- 1477 County Road 2, Mallorytown, ON K0E 1R0 Canada
- Offers Patio RV Sites; 85-foot full-service Pull-Thru RV Sites for big rigs; and open, semi-shaded and shaded grassy sites for RVs and tents. Deluxe Cabins, heated saltwater pool, kiddie wading pool area, Dog park
- Reserve: 800-562-9725
IVY LEA KOA (Private):
- 514 1000 Island Parkway, Lansdowne, ON K0E 1L0 Canada
- Walking distance to 1000 Islands/Boldt Castle cruises, restaurants, diving, boat rentals and a bike path. This KOA is minutes away from premier golfing, and it's the closest KOA to the casino.
- Reserve: 800-562-2471
1000 Islands Camping Resort:
- https://1000islandscampingresort.com/
- info@1000islandscampingresort.com
- Tent sites, Bubble tents, electric, water and sewage hookups, cabins
- https://1000islandscampingresort.com/onlinebooking.php
Tourism 1000 Islands (Gananoque):
- http://www.1000islandstourism.com/
- Trip planning, where to stay, events, deals and contests
1000 ISLANDS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM COUNCIL:
- http://www.visit1000islands.com/
- Toll Free Customer Information Line: 800-847-5263
- First time visitors info, things to do, places to stay, communities, events.
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Require additional information?
Reservation service:
- Telephone: 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783) 8 am to 6 pm local park time; or
- Website: Parks Canada Reservation Service
General park information:
- Telephone: 1-888-773-8888
- 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time, April to September
- 10 am to 6 pm Eastern Time, October to March
- ont-ti@pc.gc.ca
- There is no designated Group camping at Thousand Islands National Park. All campsites have a 8 person maximum.
- The campsites that are on a first-come, first-serve basis cannot be reserved. The visitor must be present to see availability on those campsites. If the campsite has a posted camping permit (self-registration permit obtained at the island kiosks), the campsite is taken for the night. If the campsite does not have a posted camping permit and does not have visitors occupying the campsite, the campsite may be used by anyone who self-registers through the island kiosks. Clearly fill out a self-registration permit obtained at the island kiosks, insert payment and post the permit on the campsite. There are no ways to know availability of these campsites in advance.
Information and reservations specifically for Group camping:
- Site-specific
- Guests select the specific campsite or accommodation when they make their reservation. All front-country camping reservations made through the Parks Canada Reservation Service (PCRS) are site-specific reservations.
- Operating Season (Nights)
- The "Operating Season" is the nights that the campground is open. Sometimes the campgrounds are open for longer than the period for which they accept reservations. Any dates of the "Operating Season" outside of the "Reservable Period" are dates that the campground operates on a first come, first served basis only.
- Reservable Period (Nights)
- The "Reservable Period" is the nights for which you can make a camping or accommodation reservation. Note that many campgrounds may be open longer than this period, and operate outside of these dates on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Kiosk
- The administration/entrance booth of a particular campground, this is where you "check-in" and register your arrival.
- Vehicle
- Car, truck, motorcycle, truck-camper, motorhome, or recreational vehicle. A motor home pulling another vehicle may count as two vehicles.
- Camping Unit
- Tent, tent-trailer, truck-camper, trailer, 5th wheel, motorhome or recreational vehicle.
- Serviced Site
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Refers to a campsite offering either electrical, water, and/or sewer hook-ups or any combination of these services directly on the campsite. Fully-serviced sites offer electrical, potable water, and sewer hook-ups. "Unserviced" sites do not offer any of these hook-ups.
The terms "serviced" and "unserviced" refer to the individual campsites; they do not refer to the washroom facilities or other amenities available at the campground.
- Drive-through Site
- Campsite where the driver does not have to reverse their vehicle to exit (there is a separate entrance and exit to the individual campsite). Ideal for larger vehicles and trailers.
- Walk-in Site
- Campsite which requires some degree of walking to access the site, and therefore requires a tent. Vehicle will be parked a short distance away.
- Overflow Site
- Overflow campsites vary from park to park, and may range from a paved area to park a camping unit (not generally suitable for tents) to a more traditional, grassy site. They are unserviced and are not reservable.
- Accessible Site
- A campsite which is accessible to guests with limited mobility.
- Firepit
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A designated structure for campfires located on a campsite. Check availability, as not all campsites offer a fire pit. In some parks, a fire permit is required to have a fire.
In some parks, only communal firepits are available, and access is shared with other guests.
- Fire permit
- In some campgrounds, guests will require a valid fire permit to have a campfire. A fire permit may include firewood. Please refer to the ‘Fire policy’ section of the QRT for individual campground policies.
- Firewood
- In some campgrounds firewood is sold by the bundle, whereas in others a fire permit may give the holder access to the campground wood pile. Please refer to the ‘Fire policy’ section of the QRT for individual campground policies.
- First-come, First-served Site
- Campsites that are available on a first come, first served basis only. These sites are only available to guests who are physically located at the campground. These sites cannot be registered over the telephone or on-line. These campsites may be available for only 1 night or for multiple nights depending on availability.
- Shoulder Season
- Shoulder season refers to the season before and after the peak season. While many campgrounds remain open outside of their peak season, the services offered during this period may be limited (please check with the park for more details).
- Entrance Pass
- A valid National Park Entrance Pass is required for all visitors to National Parks that have entry fees.
- Daily Entrance Pass
- A daily entrance pass permits visitor’s unlimited entry to the specified park on a per day basis for the period of time indicated.
- Annual/Seasonal Entrance Pass
- An annual or seasonal entrance pass permits visitor’s unlimited entry to the specified park for the period of time indicated.
- Parks Canada Discovery Pass
- The Parks Canada Discovery Pass permits visitors unlimited entry to the participating Parks Canada national parks and national historic sites across Canada, for a period of 12 months.
Terms and definitions
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