Naturally Maria: Thousand Island National Park

The Thousand Islands National Park, formerly named St. Lawrence Islands National Park, is located on Thousand Islands Parkway in the Thousand Islands Region of the Saint Lawrence River. Established in 1904, it was the first national park in Canada east of the Rocky Mountains. It was renamed in 2013. Consisting of more than 20 islands and islets and 2 mainland properties, it is one of Canada's smallest national parks. The islands are actually worn down mountain tops.

The park is located within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Southeastern Ontario. The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve is only one of 16 biospheres reserves in Canada. You can read more about it here.

Just like all of Canada's National Parks, the Thousand Islands National Park is free this year in celebration of Canada's 150th birthday. We decided to visit the park and hike it's trails earlier this summer.

There are 3 main areas on the mainland to access the park's hiking trails: Mallorytown Landing (also where the visitor centre is located), Jones Creek and Landon Bay Centre.

Mallorytown Landing
Trails located here are of easy to moderate in difficulty and offer scenic river views and picnic areas. There are 2 trails, the Smoky Fire Trail & the Six Nations Trail

Jones Creek
Several trails offering opportunities for viewing wildlife, ranging in difficulty from easy to difficult and totaling 12 kilometers. There are lookout points and a wetland boardwalk.

Landon Bay Centre
Located on 225 acres of an Ecological Reserve, it consists of 5 trails including trails through meadows and marshlands. The Garden Loop Trail takes you through a raised garden and is wheelchair accessible. The Lookout Trail offers fantastic views of Landon Bay and the St. Lawrence River. The Bay Trail takes you along Landon Bay.

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