Set between the major cities of Kingston and Montreal is the Long Sault Parkway, a 10-kilometre-long road that connects a collection of eleven islands on the St. Lawrence River.
Credit: St Lawrence Parks
The parkway is visually beautiful, has significant history, and a drive around the area lets you explore the wonders and stories of the attractions along the way.
The area surrounding the parkway was flooded in the 1950s to construct the Moses-Saunders Power Dam and to expand the St. Lawrence Seaway. The 11 islands in the Long Sault Parkway are the highest points that remained after the flooding.
Here are 7 of the best things for your road trip across the Long Sault Parkway.
New in 2026:
Mille Roches Campground and Mille Roches Beach and Day Use Area will be closed for the 2026 season as major upgrades take place. The work includes new accessible, gender-neutral washrooms, updated water systems and a modern trailer dump station. The day-use area will also see a new canteen, changerooms, rinse showers and a licensed patio. While construction is ongoing, the Long Sault Parkway will remain open, though minor traffic delays may occur.
1. The Lost Villages Museum
Before you start your drive along the parkway, visit the Lost Villages Museum. Explore the buildings from the villages that were submerged when the area was flooded. The Lost Villages Museum features ten heritage buildings that have been restored and assembled into an immersive village-like setting at Ault Park. The museum is open from early June to the end of September.
Address: 16361 Fran Laflamme Dr, Long Sault
2. Drive or Bike Long Sault Parkway
Explore this beautiful 10 km parkway that traverses 11 islands on the St. Lawrence River by car or by bike, stopping to enjoy some of the activities to augment your visit. The roads are paved with large shoulders for cyclists.
Access the parkway from Highway 2.
3. Paddle Long Sault Parkway
Credit: Mike and Jenny’s Paddle Fit
Spend quality time on the water, gaining new perspectives of the Long Sault Parkway area and enjoy the beautiful outdoors, small inlets and rivers around the eleven islands, and the shoreline.
Mike and Jenny’s Paddle Fit:
Join for paddle fit classes at Mike and Jenny’s Paddle Fit. They also offer hourly and daily rentals of canoes, single and tandem kayaks and SUP. They also have life jackets.
Rates:
- Single kayak: $15/ Hour or $25/ Two Hours
- Tandem is $25 /hour or $40 for two Hours.
- 2 Seat Pedal Boat: $15/ Half Hour or $20/ Hour
- 4 Seat Pedal Boat: $20/ Half Hour or $30/ Hour
Address: TBA for 2026/ (2025 location – 15890 Long Sault Parkway – Mille Roches Beach, closed in 2026)
Long Sault
Phone: (613) 361-2032
4. Laze around the Beach
Credit: St Lawrence Parks
Woodlands Beach: Enjoy the sun and the sand at Woodlands Beach, a popular place to picnic! You may even find some precious nesting turtles.
Address: 15174 Long Sault Parkway, Ingleside
The Mille Roches Beach: The Mille Roches Beach is the largest of the beaches on the St. Lawrence corridor and has a long bay with a snack bar, campgrounds, mature trees, and opportunities for watersports.
Closed in 2026
Address: 15805 Long Sault Pkwy, Long Sault
5. Fish
Credit: St. Lawrence Parks
Choose a spot and drop a line for perch, rock bass, catfish or bass. St. Lawrence Parks also offers free Learn to Fish programs at McLaren Campground.
The Hoople Creek Basin is one of the largest natural Pickerel fish hatcheries in the area and is a peaceful, down-to-earth spot to relax and fish.
6. Hike
Hike the trails of Hoople Island, like Chipmunk Nature Trail or Butternut Nature Trail.
What about discovering lost roads to the lost villages?
Credit: St Lawrence Parks
7. Dive for lost treasure
Well, you now know that there are villages submerged under the waters of the seaway. The dive site, ‘Lock 21’ is supposed to be one of Canada’s best surface dives. Located just off Macdonell Island, the dive will take you to the remnants of Lock 21 and the Lost Villages.
8. Camp
Stay awhile to enjoy fabulous sunsets and glorious, twinkling dark skies. The Islands are also home to a multitude of beachfront campsites near Mille Roches (closed in 2026) and Woodlands beaches. If you want more luxury, stay in cabins and lodges.
Plan Your Trip to Long Sault Parkway – 2026
Located less than two hours from Ottawa (~ an hour) and Kingston, a trip exploring the Long Sault Parkway, which connects 11 islands, is a great day trip or an ideal weekend getaway close to home.
The islands are:
- Mclaren Island
- Woodlands Island
- Fraser Island
- Hoople Island
- Dickinson Island
- Heriot Island
- Vankoughnet Island
- Philpotts Island
- MacDonell Island
- Snetsinger Island
- Milleroches Island
When:
~Mid to Late April to Mid to Late November (Weather dependent).
2026 – Parkway Opens Friday, April 17, 2026, at 11 a.m.
Beaches:
~ Early June to Labour Day
2026 Hours:
- Woodlands Beach and Picnic Area: 15174 Long Sault Parkway, Ingleside: From Late May/June
- Mille Roches Beach and Picnic Area: 15890 Long Sault Parkway, Long Sault: Closed in 2026
Camping:
- McLaren (and Hoople): Early May to Thanksgiving Weekend (May 8 – October 24, 2026)
- Woodlands: Victoria Day to Thanksgiving weekend ( May 15 – October 11, 2026)
- Mille Roches: Victoria Day Weekend to Thanksgiving weekend (closed in 2026)
- Macdonell Island (Lock 21): May 8 – October 24, 2026
Parkway closes in winter.
How Much:
Camping: $39.99 per night & up
Roofed Accommodation: $140 & up
Beach & Picnic Areas:
Weekend Maximum Vehicle Charge: $18.58
Weekday Maximum Vehicle Rate (Excludes Holidays):$11.50
Walk-in or Cyclist: $4.44
Where:
Between Morrisburg and Cornwall. Access the parkway from County Road 2
Exits 770 and 778 on Highway 401
Phone: +1 800-437-2233