Behind the Scenes: This interactive Thousand Islands logistics map helps visualize how Gananoque, Ivy Lea, Rockport, and the surrounding river communities connect along the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence.
Intent
This page is a practical guide to the geography of the Thousand Islands on the Canadian side. It is for travellers who want to understand where the region is located, how Gananoque fits into the landscape, and how the Canadian side differs from the U.S. side before planning a cruise, scenic drive, or overnight stay.
Quick Facts
The Thousand Islands region stretches along the St. Lawrence River between Kingston, Gananoque, Ivy Lea, Rockport, and Brockville.
Gananoque is the main gateway town on the Canadian side for cruises, places to stay, and easy access to the river.
This is not one compact park or town. It is a long river corridor made up of islands, mainland access points, and small communities.
The Thousand Islands are shared by Canada and the United States, with the international border running through the river.
Is This Guide for You?
This guide is for you if you are searching for a map of the Thousand Islands Canada side, wondering where Gananoque is located, or trying to understand the layout of the region before booking a boat tour, fall drive, or photography stop.
Kouri Helicopter Tour
Where Are the Thousand Islands?
The Thousand Islands region is located along the St. Lawrence River, between Lake Ontario and the Canada–U.S. border.
It spans eastern Ontario and northern New York State and includes more than 1,800 islands of varying size. Some are tiny rocky outcrops. Others are large enough to hold homes, castles, marinas, and forested landscapes.
One of the biggest points of confusion for first-time visitors is that the Thousand Islands are not one single town, park, or attraction. They stretch across a long section of river, which is exactly why people often search for a Thousand Islands map before visiting.
Micro-answer: The Thousand Islands are located in the St. Lawrence River between Ontario and New York, with Gananoque serving as the main gateway on the Canadian side.
Thousand Islands Map Overview
On a map, the Thousand Islands look less like one destination and more like a ribbon of islands scattered through the river.
Key features you will see on a Thousand Islands Canada side map include:
- the St. Lawrence River flowing east from Lake Ontario
- the Ontario shoreline on the north side
- the New York shoreline on the south side
- island clusters spread between the two countries
- gateway communities such as Gananoque, Ivy Lea, Mallorytown, and Rockport
Gananoque is the best-known reference point on the Canadian side because it acts as the main access town for accommodations, restaurants, docks, and cruises.
Micro-answer: On a map, Gananoque is the main Canadian gateway to the Thousand Islands region.
This map shows the Canadian and U.S. sides of the Thousand Islands region, with Gananoque highlighted as a primary access point.
Canadian Side vs. U.S. Side of the Thousand Islands
Understanding the difference between the two sides helps visitors plan more realistically.
Canadian Side (Ontario)
The Canadian side includes:
- Gananoque – the main gateway town
- Ivy Lea – close to the Thousand Islands Parkway and bridge crossing
- Mallorytown – mainland access point for Thousand Islands National Park
- Rockport – a river village surrounded by island channels
This side is known for:
- easy road access from Highway 401
- small river towns and scenic pull-offs
- cruises, park access, and waterfront viewpoints
- island clusters that often feel close to shore
U.S. Side (New York)
The U.S. side includes:
- Alexandria Bay
- Clayton
This side is generally known for:
- larger marinas
- wider boating infrastructure
- larger river communities in some sections
- major boat traffic through broader channels
Both sides share the same waterway, but the political border runs through the river itself.
Canada and the United States share the Thousand Islands, with the international border running through the St. Lawrence River.
Main Towns and Communities on the Thousand Islands Canada Side
These are the communities that show up most often when reading or using a Thousand Islands Canada side map.
Gananoque
Gananoque is the main service town on the Canadian side. It sits on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, roughly between Kingston and Brockville, and is the most common starting point for cruises, stays, and regional exploring.
Ivy Lea
Ivy Lea is a smaller riverside community east of Gananoque. It is closely tied to the Thousand Islands Parkway and the nearby international bridge crossing.
Mallorytown
Mallorytown sits slightly inland, but matters for logistics because it provides access to Mallorytown Landing and mainland sites connected to Thousand Islands National Park.
Rockport
Rockport is farther east and offers another strong access point to the river. Narrow channels, island views, and scenic shoreline roads surround it.
Where Is Thousand Islands National Park on the Map?
This is where many visitors get tripped up.
Thousand Islands National Park is not shown on a map as one large continuous park. Instead, it is split across:
- mainland sites such as Mallorytown Landing
- island properties accessible only by boat
That scattered layout is important because many travellers assume the national park covers the entire region. It does not. The Thousand Islands region is broader than the park itself.
Micro-answer: Thousand Islands National Park appears on the map as separate mainland and island sites, not one single block.
How to Get to the Thousand Islands on the Canadian Side
From Toronto
Drive east on Highway 401 toward Kingston, then continue toward Gananoque. The Thousand Islands region begins just east of Kingston and becomes more visually obvious as you approach the river corridor.
From Ottawa
Drive south and then connect to Highway 401 eastbound toward Gananoque or Ivy Lea.
From Montreal
Drive west toward Brockville and Gananoque along Highway 401.
On a map, the Thousand Islands sit roughly:
- 3 hours from Toronto
- 2 hours from Ottawa
- 2.5 hours from Montreal
These are useful planning estimates, but the key thing is this: the region is very drivable and works well for road trips, short stays, and layered itineraries.
Why This Thousand Islands Map Matters
A clear Thousand Islands map helps explain the region before you even arrive.
It shows where the Canadian side begins to take shape, how Gananoque, Ivy Lea, Mallorytown, and Rockport connect along the river, and why Thousand Islands National Park appears in separate sections rather than one solid block.
It also helps people understand how close the U.S. side is, and why the Thousand Islands feel much more spread out on the ground than they first appear in photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are located in the St. Lawrence River between eastern Ontario and northern New York State.
They are in both. The islands are divided by the international border running through the river.
There are more than 1,800 islands in the region.
Gananoque is the main gateway town on the Canadian side.
Yes. Gananoque sits directly on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River and is widely considered the main access point to the region in Ontario.
No. The national park is only one part of the region and is spread across multiple mainland and island sites.
Why I Love the Thousand Islands
What I love most about this region is that it feels bigger than people expect. On paper, it looks like a cluster of islands and a few small towns. In real life, it is a layered river landscape with scenic roads, shoreline communities, shifting light, and endless little access points that make the journey feel just as important as the destination.
As a travel photographer, it is also one of those places that makes sense from above, from the water, and from the roadside — and each perspective tells a different story.
Summary
This page is a geographic and practical overview of the Thousand Islands Canada side map, showing how Gananoque, Ivy Lea, Mallorytown, Rockport, and the surrounding river corridor fit together. It is designed to help travellers quickly understand where the Thousand Islands are located, how the Canadian side is structured, and how to plan a smoother visit using the map.
About the Author
Roland Bast is a Canadian travel photographer, destination storyteller, and TMAC member who focuses on real-world travel planning, visual storytelling, and practical destination guides across Canada.
Navigate the 1000 Islands Travel Library
Start Here
1000 Islands, Gananoque: Your Ultimate What to Do, Eat, and Stay Guide
Core Planning Guides
- Gananoque, ON: Top 6 Unforgettable Adventures for Solo Travel
Experience Guides and Supporting Reads
- Kouri Helicopter Tour with the 1000 Views
Story-Driven Reads
The Ultimate 1000 Islands Guide: Discovering the Soul of Gananoque
Discover more from Roland Bast | Slow Travel Photographer
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