Thousand Islands Parkway: A turn-by-turn road trip guide

The Thousand Islands Parkway is one of Ontario’s most famously scenic roads. It traces the shores of the St. Lawrence River between Gananoque and Brockville, offering spectacular views over many of the 1,864 islands in the Thousand Islands region. Since it can be a quick diversion, many drivers enjoy this scenic drive as a welcome break from the monotony of Highway 401. But if you choose to linger and explore its many attractions, the Thousand Islands Parkway makes for a fantastic day trip.

Here’s a turn-by-turn guide to what you’ll find as you drive along Ontario’s Thousand Islands Parkway.

The Thousand Islands Parkway is featured in our Kingston to Montreal road trip. Have questions about planning your own visit? Join our Facebook community!

Presented in partnership with 1000 Islands Tourism

Thousand Islands Parkway: What to know before you go

Ontario’s Thousand Islands Parkway is 39 kilometres long. It connects the east end of Gananoque with Butternut Bay, roughly 10 kilometres west of Brockville. Driving the Thousand Islands Parkway from end to end without stopping takes approximately 30 minutes. If you’d like to explore some of the sights and activities along the way, plan to spend a half to full day along the Parkway.

In this guide, the Thousand Islands Parkway’s landmarks are presented in order from west to east. This is how you’d encounter them if you approach from Gananoque, Kingston, Toronto, and other points to the west. If you’re coming from Montreal, Ottawa, or points east of the Thousand Islands Parkway, start at the bottom of this list and work your way up to read in order beginning from Brockville.

Gananoque, Gateway to the Thousand Islands Parkway

The town of Gananoque is often called the Gateway to the 1000 Islands. It makes an excellent home base for exploring the surrounding region and the Thousand Islands Parkway. There’s plenty to do in Gananoque before you set out on the Parkway. Explore boat tours, helicopter rides, kayaking, live theatre and more.

Click here to learn where to stay, what to eat, and things to do in Gananoque >

Gananoque is the western starting point of the Thousand Islands Parkway. The Parkway begins at the east end of town where it connects with Highway 401. If you follow King Street East through town to join the Parkway, take a moment to find the 1000 Islands Muskie, Gananoque’s oversized roadside attraction. You’ll find it on the front lawn of the Ramada by Wyndham 1000 Islands/Gananoque.

Landons Bay, the most popular hiking spot in the 1000 Islands

Once you join the Thousand Islands Parkway from the west, the first major landmark you’ll come across is Landons Bay. This is the most popular hiking spot within Thousand Islands National Park. The Lookout Trail is the park’s signature hike. It leads up a hill to a spectacular granite rock face and a viewpoint high above Landons Bay.

If you hike directly to the lookout from the parking lot, you’ll travel roughly half a kilometre. It doesn’t take long, but it’s moderately difficult due to its steep inclines and uneven (and occasionally wet) surfaces. You’ll find more than 6 kilometres of hiking trails at Landons Bay in total, including the 4.7-kilometre Donevan Trail loop.

Note there is a charge to pay for parking here. However, this parking fee also covers day use access to the park. This means you don’t need to go to the visitor centre to cover this separately before you arrive, and the fee covers access to the entire park for the full day.

Just around the corner from Landons Bay, you’ll find Smuggler’s Glen Golf Course. While we’re not experienced golfers, this course is very well-rated by enthusiasts.

The Ivy Restaurant, a gem on the Thousand Islands Parkway

As you continue to the east, you’ll come to the Ivy Lea Club. This private club and marina has some facilities that are open to the public, most notably the Ivy Restaurant, which vies for the title of best restaurant in the Thousand Islands. It offers fine dining with spectacular views of the river and surrounding islands. The Ivy Restaurant is open most days for lunch and dinner, and dining room reservations are recommended.

City Cruises Gananoque Ivy Lea

There are five locations along the Thousand Islands Parkway where you can join a river cruise. City Cruises operates the tours that launch from the dock in the village of Ivy Lea as well as the ones directly out of Gananoque.

The Ivy Lea location is close to Boldt Castle, so one-hour tours launch from here that circle around the island. There’s also a new two-hour cruise that sails around Boldt Castle as well as Singer Castle further down the river.

How to see Boldt Castle from Canada >

Ivy Lea Campground, Thousand Islands Bridge, and 1000 Islands Tower

If you’re heading south into the United States, Highway 137 is your turn-off from the Thousand Islands Parkway to reach the Thousand Islands Bridge. At the base of the bridge on the mainland, you’ll find the first of the locations along the Parkway maintained by Parks of the St. Lawrence, Ivy Lea Campground. This park has an extensive network of serviced and unserviced campsites, some with waterfront views, as well as rental cabins and a swimming area.

The Thousand Islands Bridge has two sections. The first connects the mainland with Hill Island, which is on the Canadian side of the border. There is a toll to cross this section of the bridge. Just south of this section on Hill Island, you’ll find the 1000 Islands Tower. At 130 metres (400 feet) tall, the 1000 Islands Tower offers some of the most awe-inspiring views in the region.

Once you’ve visited the tower, you can stay in Canada and return to the mainland via the bridge, or you can continue southbound to cross the border into the United States at Wellesley Island. Once you pass over the second section of the Thousand Islands Bridge, you’ll reach mainland New York state.

Rockport, a bustling village and cruise hub

You won’t miss the turnoff to the village of Rockport from the Thousand Islands Parkway: it’s clearly marked with a picturesque iron gate. Rockport home to a general store, a pub, and Rockport Cruises, another excellent cruise operator in the Thousand Islands.

Rockport Cruises offers one and two-hour tours that sail around Heart Island for views of Boldt Castle. Longer tours are also available that let you disembark at Heart Island and visit Boldt Castle up close. (If you choose this option, you’ll need to enter the United States. Don’t forget your passport!) Most importantly, there’s plenty of free parking for cruise passengers in Rockport.

How to decide which Thousand Islands cruise is right for you >

Mallorytown Landing and the Thousand Islands National Park visitor centre

The Thousand Islands National Park visitor centre is located on the Thousand Islands Parkway at Mallorytown Landing. This is the place to stop if you have questions about the park, including hiking trail conditions and how to access the park’s islands.

There are two short trails to explore here: the Smoky Fire Trail (850 metres) and the Six Nations Trail (1.1 kilometres). Overnight camping is available at Mallorytown Landing’s five oTENTiks, which are permanent camping structures similar to yurts or cabins. The oTENTiks at Mallorytown Landing are the only camping facilities available in the mainland sectors of Thousand Islands National Park.

Head to Jones Creek for a quiet hike

Jones Creek is the third mainland sector of Thousand Islands National Park. There are four easy trails here through the forest and surrounding wetlands, which each take under 30 minutes to complete. Two longer trails are accessible via the trailhead on County Road 5, just north of the Thousand Islands Parkway.

These trails aren’t as well-known among visitors to the Thousand Islands region, so they tend to be quieter than the ones at Landons Bay. Head here if you’re craving some time in nature away from the hustle and bustle. Note the longer trails at the north end of this sector are often the last to be cleared as the hiking season begins, so check with park staff about conditions before heading out.

Brown’s Bay Beach and Campground

Across the street from the Jones Creek main trailhead, you’ll find Brown’s Bay Beach and Campground. This is another park maintained by Parks of the St. Lawrence, a provincial authority similar to Ontario Parks. Brown’s Bay Campground is smaller with 14 unserviced campsites, a large day-use beach with plenty of space for picnics, a playground, and a canteen that opens on busier days.

Learn more about camping options in the Thousand Islands >

Treetop Trekking 1000 Islands

Less than 1.5 kilometres east of Jones Creek and Brown’s Bay, you’ll come to Treetop Trekking 1000 Islands. This aerial trek and ziplining facility has been operating as a Treetop Trekking park since 2022. We’ve tried Treetop Trekking at other locations and absolutely love it, but we haven’t yet had a chance to visit this location. Watch this space for updates.

Another 3 kilometres to the east from Treetop Trekking, the Thousand Islands Parkway reaches its eastern terminus and merges with the 401.

Continue your Thousand Islands Parkway adventure into Brockville

Although the Thousand Islands Parkway ends 10 minutes to its west, Brockville acts as the Parkway’s unofficial eastern gateway. Continue along Highway 2 to reach this riverside city, which provides access to the eastern portion of the Thousand Islands region.

There are plenty of ways to make Brockville part of your Thousand Islands Parkway adventure. We consider the Brockville Railway Tunnel a must-visit attraction. This is Canada’s oldest railway tunnel, and today its interior is set to colourful lights and music for its entire 530-metre (1,740-foot) length.

Other spots to check out in Brockville include the Aquatarium, Blockhouse Island, and Fulford Place Museum (including their Music on the Veranda lunchtime music series, held on Thursdays during the summer months). There are also plenty of restaurants and shops to explore downtown. If you’re looking for a cup of coffee, a snack, or some excellent bubble tea, swing by Sweet Ofelia’s Café and Market.

Explore more Ontario road trips >