Within sight of downtown Boston, the islands offer "remote" camping. Accessible by passenger ferries, three of the 30 islands provide camping opportunities.

Camping is available by reservation only on Grape, Bumpkin, and Lovells Islands. Lovells Island is available for camping beginning on May 26, 2007 for weekends only, except Memorial Day Weekend, during which Lovells Island will be available for camping through Monday, May 28, 2007. The camping season for Bumpkin, Grape, and Lovells Islands begins on June 23, 2007 and ends September 2, 2007. During the camping season, camping is available every day of the week. Camping on Lovells will continue to be available until October 7, 2007 on weekends only. The Islands each have 6 to 10 individual campsites, and 2 group campsites.

Reservations Required

Reservations are required to camp on the islands and can be made online at ReserveAmerica.com or call toll-free 877-422-6762. Your camping reservation is not site specific. At check-in an island ranger will assign you a campsite or area. To ensure that many campers enjoy the park, campers and camping equipment are limited to 14 cumulative days of occupancy between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Important Information

Although part of metropolitan Boston, the remote and sensitive nature requires that the following are NOT allowed on any islands (unless part of a special permit): PETS, FIREARMS, FIREWORKS, ALCOHOL, and AMPLIFIED SOUND. Survivor dogs are the only pets permitted. Campsite cooking is allowed with camp stoves only. Campfires are not allowed at campsites or anywhere above high tide line. See General Rules at ReserveAmerica.com under Boston Harbor Islands campground search.

Getting To Your Island

Boston Harbor Islands campsites are accessible by boat only. See Getting There for park transportation information. Private boaters may use landing floats and docks for loading and unloading; users assume all risk. Dinghies are available on some islands for access to anchored vessels. (Private boaters use chart 13270.)

rustic Camping Facilities

• individual and group sites
• composting toilets, picnic tables, and benches
• some islands have trail-side shade shelters
• there is a carry-in/carry-out policy
• on-island rangers are equipped with emergency communications

There are NO flush toilets, showers, fresh water, electricity or telephones; and no food or camping supply stores on the islands. Plan accordingly. We recommend that campers bring one gallon of drinking water per person for each day on the island.

Some Things to Bring

• drinking water (one gallon per day per person) to prevent dehydration
• sunscreen and a hat
• warm clothes, rain gear, a flashlight, and insect repellent
• food and cooking gear
• tent and sleeping bags
• camera, kite, wading shoes, or fishing pole

Things to Do

• All the islands have trails and shorelines for hiking and exploring. Island managers offer guided tours, youth activities, and night programs for campers. Self-guided trail brochures are also available.
• Swimming is possible on Bumpkin, Lovells, and Grape islands at your own risk.
• Depending on the season, you may choose to visit from among five other islands that can be reached by park island shuttles during daylight hours only.
• Beach fires below the high-tide line are allowed and most drift wood is usable (do not burn creosote- or pressure-treated wood). See park staff for any trail cuttings that may be available or bring your own firewood. Bonfires are not permitted.

Fees and Service Charges

All camping charges include a non-refundable reservation transaction service charge and a per-night campsite fee. The 2007 non-refundable reservation transaction charge is $9.25. Questions concerning this charge may be addressed to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation at 617-626-1480 or by writing to email@reserveamerica.com.

The per-night camping fee for an individual campsite (1-4 people) is $8.00 for Massachusetts residents and $10.00 per night for non-Massachusetts residents; a group site is $25.00 per night for groups of 1 to 25 people. The fee for more than 25 people is $1.00/person per night, plus a $25 group charge.

Example of two-night camping trip during 2007 for a group of four Massachusetts residents transported by park ferry (rates are subject to change):

• Ferry = $34.00
  two adults at $10 each
  two children at $7 each
  (fares are round trip)
• Reservation transaction charge = $9.25
• Individual campsite = $16.00
  two nights at $8 each

• TOTAL = $59.25

The America the Beautiful Pass (National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass) may not be used on the Boston Harbor Islands.

Alternatives

Because of the ferry schedule, it is very difficult to visit the city while camping on the islands. An alternative plan is to stay at the Wompatuck State Park campground in Hingham. Hewitt's Cove is within a 15-minute drive from the State Park, where there is week-day commuter boat service to downtown Boston. The Wompatuck phone number is 781-749-7160; the toll-free camping reservations number at ReserveAmerica.com is 877-422-6762.