Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Thousand Islands National Park

When you think about visiting a National Park, you may think you have travel to an area far from where many people live to enjoy the park. While in some cases this is certainly true, when you think about planning a visit to Thousand Islands National Park in Ontario, you will find it is very possibly close to where you live!

• Thousand Islands National Park is located on the Saint Lawrence River between Kingston and Brockville, Ontario, and consists of 21 islands, numerous smaller islets, three mainland properties, and a visitor center.
• It is one of the oldest and smallest National Parks in Canada, but there is no shortage of things to do when visiting Thousand Islands National Park!
• It is renowned for its granite islands, rare biodiversity, and boating opportunities.
• The islands are actually the exposed, glacier-worn tops of an ancient mountain range. The area lies within the Frontenac Arch Biosphere—a vital ecological link connecting the Canadian Shield to the Adirondack Mountains.
• Explore secluded bays by kayak or boat, camp or picnic by the river, or learn about the region's biodiversity and rich Indigenous heritage from the vantage point of wooded trails and rocky lookouts.
• Established in 1904 as the first Canadian national park east of the Rockies, Thousand Islands National Park celebrated its centennial in 2004. The unique ecosystem of the park will be preserved as a legacy for the next century and beyond.
• 10,000 years ago, when Aboriginal Peoples came to set up tents and to fish the rich waters of the river. Interesting evidence of these long ago summer visits was discovered in 1979, when a local man , while diving off Grenadier Island, found a ceramic pot embedded in the muck. It was identified as being of the Point Peninsula Culture which thrived about 2500 years ago.
• Black bears, raccoons, and coyotes may be present in the park. 
• There are many things to do on your visit to Thousand Islands National Park, including - camping, kayaking, fishing, animal/bird watching, biking, hiking, kitesurfing, swimming, snowshoeing, scuba diving, and more!

If you are looking for a National Park which may be close by where you live (since many Canadians live in Ontario), then Thousand Islands National Park is for you as there are so many things to do when you visit! You will find more information about it at this link.