National park · Canada
Georgian Bay Islands National ParkParc national des îles-de-la-Baie-Georgienne
Go only if you will take a boat: the DayTripper shuttle to Beausoleil Island ($24.96 + $11.50 booking, 2026 estimate) gives about 4 hours ashore — enough for one southern loop trail, not the whole island.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
14 km²5 sq mi
approximate
Established
1929
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 14 km²5 sq mi
- Land area of the park's 63 islands and shoreline parcels; the surrounding water is not counted (check).
- Established
- 1929
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Georgian Bay Islands National Park protects 63 islands and shoreline parcels in a freshwater archipelago 2 hours north of Toronto, part of the Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve. Only Beausoleil Island has trails, campsites and cabins; the rest is boat-access only, and much of the coast and many islands between McQuade and Centennial islands are private or outside the park, so a nautical chart matters. The DayTripper shuttle from Honey Harbour is the only scheduled boat, runs to a fixed return about 4 hours later, and carries no pets, bicycles or canoes — which makes it a half-day stop, not an island holiday. The granite and white pine here shaped the Group of Seven's painting in the 1910s–20s.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of the Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere Reserve.
Size and age
14 km²5 sq mi · national park since 1929
Land area of the park's 63 islands and shoreline parcels; the surrounding water is not counted (check).
Why go
- A freshwater archipelago of granite and white pine that shaped the Group of Seven's painting in the 1910s–20s.
- Beausoleil Island is the only island with trails, campsites and cabins — everything else is boat-access only.
- Twelve marked trails, from 300 m strolls to a 7 km-plus route, all on one island.Twelve marked trails, from 300 m strolls to a 4.3 mi-plus route, all on one island.
- Camp on an island 2 hours from Toronto and see the bay empty out after the last shuttle leaves.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanIce; no shuttle; island access unsafe
- FebIce; no services
- MarIce breaking up; no shuttle
- AprCold water; most services closed
- MayShuttle starts; blackflies and mosquitoes
- JunLong days; bugs peak early in the month
- JulWarmest water; busiest weekends
- AugWarm; book campsites and shuttle early
- SepFewer people; water still swimmable
- OctColour on the hardwoods; shuttle winds down
- NovShuttle stopped; cold and wet
- DecNo boat service; ice forming
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (threatened)May–Sep · Give it space; do not handle or corner it. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Turtles and amphibians in northern wetlandsMay–Aug · The northern half is a major breeding area. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Gull and tern nesting coloniesMay–Jul · On more isolated islands; keep away from nests. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Deer, moose, black bear, beaver and smaller mammalsApr–Oct · Store food properly at campsites. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mosquitoes and blackfliesMay–Jul · Peak in late spring and early summer; bring repellent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Toronto
Drive to Honey Harbour via Highway 400 and Highway 12, then park at the DayTripper launch on Honey Harbour Road.
2 h
Open the page →
From Midland
Drive to Honey Harbour; the park office is on Wye Valley Road in Midland.
40–50 min
From Honey Harbour
DayTripper shuttle boat to Beausoleil Island; the crossing is short and the return is fixed about 4 hours after arrival.
15–20 min
Open the page →
From Own boat or kayak
Launch at Honey Harbour or a nearby marina and cross to Beausoleil; carry a chart and watch weather on open water.
Varies
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Southern Beausoleil | Mixed hardwood forest of the West St. Lawrence Lowlands; most trails and the Cedar Spring campground. | Open with shuttle ticket or own boat. |
| Northern Beausoleil | Bare Canadian Shield bedrock, wetlands and pine; the richest area for amphibians, turtles and snakes. | Open; reached on foot or by bike from the south. |
| Outer islands | The rest of the 63 islands and shoreline parcels, including gull and tern nesting colonies. | Boat access only; some islands are not precisely marked on public maps. |
Sketch map
- 1Honey Harbour DayTripper launch · Ranger station≈44.867, -79.8222611 Honey Harbour Road.Map ↗
- 2Cedar Spring Campground and visitor centre · Sleep≈44.853, -79.865Bike rental here.Map ↗
- 3Beausoleil Island · Trail≈44.860, -79.870Approximate centre of the island.Map ↗
- 4McQuade Island · Beach≈44.920, -79.850Approximate; northern end of the park.Map ↗
- 5Centennial Island · Beach≈44.839, -79.792Southern end of the park.Map ↗
- 6Midland park office · Headquarters≈44.750, -79.890901 Wye Valley Road; approximate.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| DayTripper shuttle, round trip | CAD 24.96 | person | 2026 estimate; reservation fee $11.50 per booking on top. |
| DayTripper reservation fee | CAD 11.5 | booking | 2026 estimate; charged once per reservation. |
| Camping, Cedar Spring serviced site | CAD 26.06 | night | 2026 estimate; washroom building with toilets and showers. |
| Camping, primitive island sites (Thumb Point, The Oakes, Sandpiper Bay, Tonch South, Tonch East, Chimney Bay, Honeymoon Bay) | CAD 16.05 | night | 2026 estimate; no services. |
| Group camping, Cedar Spring | CAD 5.93 | person | 2026 estimate; per night, with showers. |
| Camping reservation fee | CAD 10.02 | booking | 2026 estimate. |
| Parks Canada Discovery Pass | Free | person | Annual pass covers entry at Parks Canada sites; the shuttle and camping are still paid separately. Price varies by pass type — check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
DayTripper shuttle reservation permit or guide
Campsite reservation permit or guide
Own-boat landing no permit
Park rules
- No pets or recreational gear on the DayTripper
- Bicycles, canoes and similar equipment are not carried; leave them or bring your own boat.
- Reservation time is fixed
- The shuttle runs to a set departure and a return about 4 hours later, so it only works for a half-day visit.
- Stay off private land
- Most of the coast and many islands between McQuade and Centennial islands are not park; use a nautical chart.
- Camp only in booked sites
- Cedar Spring and the primitive island sites require a reservation; no random camping.
- Leave no trace
- Pack out all rubbish; island sites have no services.
Where to stay
In the park
Cedar Spring Campground
Serviced sites with toilets and showers, plus group camping; the base for southern trails.
In the park
Primitive island campsites
Thumb Point, The Oakes, Sandpiper Bay, Tonch South, Tonch East, Chimney Bay and Honeymoon Bay; boat access, no services.
Near the park
Honey Harbour and Midland
Motels, inns and rentals on the mainland, 15–50 min from the shuttle launch.
Safety
Cold open water high
Massasauga rattlesnake medium
Missing the last shuttle medium
Bugs and sun low
Accessibility
- The shuttle crossing and the Cedar Spring area involve short walks from the dock; ask Parks Canada about boarding assistance before booking.
- Trails on Beausoleil are dirt and rock with roots; the northern bedrock routes are not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Do not approach nesting gulls and terns on the outer islands; the colonies are the reason those islands are protected.
- Carry out everything you bring — primitive sites have no bins or services.
- Use the shuttle or a full boat rather than multiple small trips, and keep wakes low near shore.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Georgian Bay Islands National Park?
There is no separate gate fee for the islands. The practical cost is the DayTripper shuttle at $24.96 per person plus an $11.50 reservation fee (2026 estimate), or your own boat. Camping is extra: about $26.06 for a serviced Cedar Spring site and $16.05 for a primitive island site per night, with a $10.02 reservation fee. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass covers entry at Parks Canada sites but not the shuttle or camping.
What are the best hikes in Georgian Bay Islands National Park?
All 12 marked trails are on Beausoleil Island. On a half-day shuttle stop, do a southern loop from Cedar Spring through mixed hardwood forest, 1–2 hours. With a full day or an overnight, head north for the bedrock and wetland trails, which are the best for turtles, snakes and views, and the park's longest route at over 7 km. Some southern trails allow cycling.
When is the best time to visit Georgian Bay Islands National Park?
June to September. July and August have the warmest water but the busiest campsites and shuttle slots; September is quieter with swimmable water. May and June bring blackflies and mosquitoes. The shuttle does not run in winter, when the islands are effectively closed to casual visits.
Can you visit Georgian Bay Islands National Park without a boat?
Yes, but only Beausoleil Island and only on the DayTripper shuttle, which must be reserved and gives you about 4 hours ashore. It carries no pets, bicycles or canoes. Everything else in the park's 63 islands needs your own boat, a kayak or a water taxi.
Can you camp on the islands?
Yes. Cedar Spring on Beausoleil has serviced sites with toilets and showers plus group camping, and there are primitive sites at Thumb Point, The Oakes, Sandpiper Bay, Tonch South, Tonch East, Chimney Bay and Honeymoon Bay. All need a Parks Canada reservation, and the primitive sites have no services.
Are there rattlesnakes in the park?
The eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, a threatened species, lives here, mostly in the northern wetland and bedrock areas of Beausoleil. Sightings are uncommon. Wear closed shoes, watch where you put hands and feet, and give any snake room.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go