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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

Welcome to the Township of Leeds and the 1000 Islands

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

Get around

Map
Map of Leeds and the 1000 Islands
  • 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

Gazebo behind the Mallory Coach House in Mallorytown
  • 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.
  • 1 Chimney Island, Chimney Island (Historical plaque along the 1000 Islands Parkway). 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. 
  • 2 Mallorytown Heritage Gardens, 1523 County Road 2, Mallorytown (Located behind the Mallory Coach House). Gazebo and walking paths among gardens. 
  • 3 Mallorytown Landing Pavilion, Thousand Islands National Park, Mallorytown Landing. Federal Heritage Building located inside the Thousand Islands National Park. 
  • 4 Remembrance Road, Corner of County Road 2 and 5. A tribute to the local fallen soldiers. 

Do

Waterfront view from Brown's Bay located in Front of Yonge Township.
  • Brown's Bay Day Use Area (Along the 1000 Islands Parkway), toll-free: +1-800-437-2233. 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. 
  • Jones Creek Trails (along the 1000 Islands Parkway near Brown's Bay Day Use Area). 12km of trail for both novice and expert hikers with several lookout points and streams. 
  • Mallory Coach House Tour, 1523 County Road 2, Mallorytown, ☏ +1 613-923-2251, . 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 Road, Gananoque, ☏ +1 613-484-JUMP (5867), toll-free: +1-844-JUMP-GAN (5867-426). Parachute jump and instruction, operates from a small airport north of Gananoque which otherwise offers no scheduled service. $275-400. (updated Sep 2016)
  • Thousand Islands National Park, 2 County Road 5, Mallorytown (entrance is on the 1000 Islands Parkway near County Road 5). Some features are available year round while others are only between May and October. Oe of the oldest national parks in Canada spanning 20 islands. Camping, trails, and activities await! 
  • Waterfront Trail (Spanning across Ontario.). Cycle, run, or walk along the 1000 Islands Parkway and river on this paved trail. Free. 

Buy

  • Purcell's Freshmart, 4 Quabbin Road (Located near the corner of Quabbin and County Road 2). Local grocery and liquor store, offering handmade salads and subs daily. 

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Connect

  • 1 Mallorytown ONroute, 401 Highway, km 680/682 eastbound and westbound. 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

Routes through TLTI
Kingston ← Gananoque ←  W  E  → Brockville → Montreal
ENDS ←  N  S  → → becomes → Watertown → Syracuse


This rural area travel guide to Leeds and the 1000 Islands is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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