Leeds and the 1000 Islands

The townships of Leeds and the 1000 Islands (TLTI, population 9,300 in 2011) and Front of Yonge (population 5,700 in 2016) cover a large rural area between Brockville and Kingston on the St. Lawrence River in eastern Ontario.

Understand

These townships include the villages of Lansdowne, Lyndhurst, Mallorytown and Seeleys Bay and a portion of the 1000 Islands. An international bridge joins Lansdowne to Alexandria Bay and Clayton (New York), north of Watertown.

The town of Gananoque is independent of TLTI, but surrounded by the township on all sides.

Mallorytown, nominal headquarters of the 1000 Islands National Park, is on the north mainland shore of the St. Lawrence River in Front of Yonge.

The area was settled by a strong core of United Empire Loyalists after the American Revolutionary War who participated in the War of 1812. This heritage is celebrated through the area.

Get in

Leeds and the 1000 Islands is part of the beaten-path Windsor-Quebec corridor which runs through Toronto and Montréal. As part of the Seaway Region, it is easily reachable by land or water - although some of the park islands may only be reached by cruising on small craft.

By car

From Gananoque, take the scenic 1000 Islands Parkway east. Two lanes of waterfront highway, a foot path and a cycle path end just west of Brockville.
From Watertown, Interstate 81 northbound ends at the 1000 Islands international bridge on Hill Island, 401 exit 661.
From Toronto/Montréal, Highway 401 exits 659 (Landsdowne), 661 (Hill Island) or 675 (Mallorytown)

By boat

TLTI is on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River.

There is a marina in Rockport, directly south of Lansdowne
In Mallorytown, there are docks at TJ Guild Marine or the Thousand Islands National Park.

By bus, plane or train

The closest major airport is Ottawa (IATA: YOW). There is a small airport in Kingston (IATA: YGK)with flights to Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ)
There is a train station in Brockville and another at Gananoque Junction
Megabus (Coach Canada) has a station in Kingston and boards passengers at a supermarket in Brockville

Get around

The 1000 Islands Parkway provides bicycle and walking trails; bikes may be rented in Gananoque or Kingston.
Taxis are available from Gananoque or Brockville, but may be expensive given the rural distances covered.
Tour boats depart from Rockport to the islands.

See

A total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April 2024 starts at 3:22PM local time and lasts three minutes. The chances of a clear sky are 35%. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico and Texas to Ohio, straddling the Canada–New England border through Lakes Erie and Ontario, then across Maine, New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
There is an observation tower on Hill Island; see Thousand Islands.
There is a casino just outside the Gananoque town limits.
There is a fairground in Lansdowne.
Chimney Island, Chimney Island (Historical plaque along the 1000 Islands Parkway), 44.4687°, -75.8345°. This private island is viewable from the 1000 Islands Parkway and Brown's Bay Day Use Area. It is a National Historic Site of Canada.
Mallorytown Heritage Gardens, 1523 County Road 2, Mallorytown (Located behind the Mallory Coach House), 44.47990°, -75.87587°. Gazebo and walking paths among gardens.
Mallorytown Landing Pavilion, Thousand Islands National Park, Mallorytown Landing, 44.4521°, -75.8604°. Federal Heritage Building located inside the Thousand Islands National Park.
Remembrance Road, Corner of County Road 2 and 5, 44.48687°, -75.86862°. A tribute to the local fallen soldiers.

Do

Mallory Coach House Tour, 1523 County Road 2, Mallorytown, 44.48039°, -75.87533°, +1 613-923-2251, admin@frontofyonge.com. Sundays in the summer or by appointment; Check site for hours. Guided tours from locals in period costume about the Front of Yonge area and its history. By donation
Skydive Gananoque, 258 Airport Rd, Gananoque, 44.4037°, -76.2375°, +1 613-484-7426. Parachute jump and instruction, operates from a small airport north of Gananoque. $275-400 2016-09-17
Waterfront Trail. The trail spans Ontario along the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes shoreline. Cycle, run, or walk along the 1000 Islands Parkway and river on this paved part of the trail. Staging areas are available in at Brown's Bay, Mallorytown Landing, and Ivy Lea Campground. The trail continues east to Brockville, and west to Gananoque, and beyond. Free

National and Provincial Parks

Thousand Islands National Park, +1 613-923-5261. Some features are available year round while others are only between May and October. One of the oldest national parks in Canada, spanning 21 islands and many smaller "islets". Camping, trails, and activities await! Some camping, hiking, and boat launch facilities are on the mainland, but most of the parkland is accessible only by water. Park shuttles serve some islands. Canoe, kayak, and boat rentals (and guiding services) are available from local outfitters. 2023-03-07
- Thousand Islands National Park Visitor Centre, 1121 - 1000 Islands Pkwy (Mallorytown Landing), 44.45212°, -75.86035°. Provides information, mainland day use amenities, and boat launch. Also offer natural and historic information and exhibits. Several tent structures, "oTentiks", provide overnight accommodation. 2023-03-07
- Jones Creek Trails, 44.49207°, -75.82369°. 12km of trail for both novice and expert hikers with several lookout points and streams.
Charleston Lake Provincial Park, 148 Woodvale Rd, +1 613-659-2065. Provides hiking, camping, paddling, and swimming on the Canadian Shield. Although most campsites are setup for car camping, a handful are back-country, accessed via hike or portage. Motor restrictions on some parts of the lake create peaceful opportunities to explore the rocky coasts and islands by canoe or kayak (rentals are available). 2023-03-06
Brown's Bay Park, 1259 1000 Islands Pkwy (Mallorytown), 44.48849°, -75.81936°. This is the oldest of all of the parks of the St. Lawrence offering swimming, a boat launch, and playground. It continues to be a popular stopping point for travellers to enjoy some outdoor recreation and offers a view of Singer Castle. A small number of campsites are available.

Buy

Purcell's Freshmart, 4 Quabbin Rd, Mallorytown (Located near the corner of Quabbin and County Road 2), 44.47783°, -75.88039°, +1 613-923-2167. Mallorytown's only grocery and liquor store, offering handmade salads and subs daily.

Eat

Drink

Sleep

1000 Islands/Mallorytown KOA Campground, 1477 County Rd 2, Mallorytown, 44.46934°, -75.88037°, +1 613-923-5339, koa@1000islandscamping.com. RV and tent camping, and cabins. Snack bar, heated pool and Wi-Fi available on-site.
Cedar Forest Park Campground, 10 Cedar Forest Park Rd, 44.5698°, -75.8783°, +1 613-923-5726, info@cedarforestpark.com. From $46 2023-02-05
Lucky Loon Campground, 66 Graham Lake Rd, Mallorytown, 44.5877°, -75.8616°, +1 613-923-5449. Tent and RV camping. Sandy beach on Graham Lake, and boat launch available. From $40 (tent camping), 2023-03-07
Maple Leaf Campground, 281 Leeds County Rd 5, Mallorytown, 44.54781°, -75.89872°, ajardine@gmail.com. RV camping. Playground, pool, and outdoor activities available. 2023-03-07
Pleasure Park RV Resort, 80 Graham Lake Road, Mallorytown, 44.5896°, -75.857°, +1 613-923-5490, info@tourpleasurepark.com. Tent and RV camping. Sandy beach for swimming, and a dock for fishing. Wi-Fi available. From $44 2023-03-07
Ivy Lea Campground (St. Lawrence Parks), 649 - 1000 Islands Pkwy, Lansdowne, 44.36885°, -75.9845°. RV and tent camping, and cabin lodging. Also accommodates walk-in camping, and provides docking and launching for boats. Swimming and diving areas along the river. Open May to October. 2023-03-07

Connect

Mallorytown ONroute, 401 Highway, km 680/682 eastbound and westbound, 44.4891°, -75.8575°. Highway service stop offering various eating establishments, convenience store, gas station, and free wifi.
The Leeds and 1000 Islands Public Library has branches in four of the tiny rural villages with public-access computers and Wi-Fi.

Go next

Alexandria Bay and Watertown — in New York state
Brockville — to the east along the St. Lawrence River, a small town with a historic downtown, including Canada's first railway tunnel, which is now open for visitors on foot.
Kingston — nicknamed the "Limestone City" for the number of buildings constructed out of local limestone. A major population centre between Toronto and Montreal, and the southern terminus of the Rideau Canal.
Westport — a village the highest point along the Rideau Canal, and a hub for boaters, hikers, and cottagers around the canal and Rideau Lakes.

Leeds and the 1000 Islands - township municipality in Ontario, Canada