Background
Navy Island is located on the Niagara River upstream from the Falls (7 kilometres south). The Island is accessible only by boat and no facilities are provided, the land being maintained in its natural state. All visitors to the Island must follow the Regulations outlined below and those wishing to camp overnight must obtain a Permit from The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC).
Regulations for the Use of Navy Island
Visitors use Navy Island at their own risk. NPC is not liable for any personal injury or loss.
Removal or damage to any plant, shrub or flower is NOT permitted, as per Regulation 686, Section 2(1) of the Niagara Parks Act.
Handling or interference of any kind of birds and animals or their habitat is NOT permitted
A fire may be built in a suitable location, being well protected, tended and completely extinguished after use and subject to safe weather conditions. NPC reserves the right to prohibit fires of any kind during hazardous seasonal conditions.
Littering is NOT permitted and all litter must be removed from the Island.
Firearms, air guns, archery equipment, fireworks etc. are NOT permitted on Navy Island as per Section 2(6) of the Niagara Parks Act.
Alcohol is permitted ONLY at the immediate campsite. In all other areas of the Island, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Violators are subject to charges under the Liquor Licence Act.
Navy Island is Federal Land under the control of NPC and patrolled by members of the Niagara Parks Police. Officers from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Canada Customs and the Niagara Regional Police may make visits to the Island on behalf of NPC.
Canadian law prohibits any digging or excavation on Federal lands.
ANY visitor to Navy Island launching a boat from the U.S.A., must notify Canada Customs upon arrival or just prior to departure from the U.S.A. at 1 888 CANPASS (1 888 226 7277) or 905 354 4785.
Overnight Camping Permit Requirements
Permits for overnight camping are available at the Niagara Parks Police office, 6075 Niagara Parkway, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (directly across from the American Falls). Campers must fill out a registration form and pay the fee(s) for the required permit(s) to be issued. Boat registration information may also be required.
Fees
Adults 18 years of age and over - $8.00 + GST (6% tax) per person per night.
Children 13 to 17 years - $4.00 + GST (6% tax) per person per night.
Children 12 years and under are FREE.
Office Hours
Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., 7 days per week between June to September and Monday to Friday only during the off-season.
Questions can be answered by the Niagara Parks Police at 905 356 1338 or by e-mail at nppolice@niagaraparks.com.
History
There is relatively little awareness of this small piece of land in the Niagara River, yet it is very rich in history. Navy Island is located opposite Ussher's Creek in Chippawa, at the northern tip of Grand Island, closest to the Canadian shore. The Niagara Parks Commission now leases the Island from Parks Canada.
The first inhabitants, thought to be 10,000 years ago, were natives, who used it for fishing and building canoes. They referred to this piece of land as "Big Canoe".
In the 1700's the French took it over. They too used it for shipbuilding and also as a naval base. They referred to their island as "Ile la Marine" --- Navy Island, its present day name.
The British took it over in 1763, constructing two sloops and three schooners. The island was then used for repairing and defending ships having gone to battle in the War of 1812.
Canada was awarded ownership of the island by an International Boundaries Commission in 1822.
Navy Island's next "tenant" was noted rebel and reformer, William Lyon Mackenzie, who occupied it during the civil rebellion, 1837-1838. Mackenzie established the Provincial Government of Upper Canada here.
In the 1850's four families settled on the property, farming and planting orchards. By the late 1880's the families were sharing the island, at least the southeast shore, with the Queen's hotel, a two-story lodging. The hotel stayed in business for a few years but then was abandoned and a fire saw its demise in 1910.
In 1945 the island was suggested as a site for the United Nations because of its proximity to the two peaceful, bordering countries of Canada and the United States. Unfortunately, the final choice went to New York.
Navy Island has become home to many species of wildlife, large populations of which is deer. In 1950 eighteen deer carcasses were found on the island. The numbers of these animals had grown to approximately 120 and they began starving to death for lack of food supply on the island. The Department of Lands and Forests have arranged controlled hunts to try and keep the population to about twenty-five. These hunts have been done subsequently in years when the island has become overpopulated with deer. The hunts were not favored by residents and the humane society, as it is believed that the herd could be thinned out by transporting them elsewhere rather than killing them.
Navy Island was briefly considered as a possible site for the World's Fair in 1960, but that never came to be.
Archaeological digs conducted in l989 unearthed the remains of a prehistoric native Indian thought to date back 3,000 years. Officials needed permission from the Six Nations Indian reserve to remove the bones. Professors believe that there is a wealth of archaeological material, much of which already has been lost due to the erosion of about ten feet of shoreline. Projects to halt the erosion have been discussed but the site must be preserved naturally, not using stone or concrete walls and without disturbing the historical material yet to be unearthed.
Navy Island is a popular spot for fishermen, nature lovers, bird watchers and campers. The terrain is lush with vegetation even wild raspberries and grapes. There are also quite a variety of trees, pawpaw, oak, hickory, and blue beech. Be aware however when venturing out as the island is also loaded with poison ivy.
Navy Island may soon become home to nesting Bald Eagles. These birds have not been seen in the Niagara area since around the 1940's to 1950's. The cause of their disappearance is due to pollution of the Niagara River by chemicals from nearby factories. Lethal doses of toxic chemicals were found in blood samples taken from bird remains. Both Canada and the United States banned the use of such chemicals in l970, and since that time the waters of the Niagara River have become less polluted.
Naturalists are hoping to attract the majestic bird back to mating in Niagara by building a platform large enough to accommodate the great birds' nest which can be anywhere in size from six feet wide and four feet long, and weigh as much as three tons. Eagles mate for life and return to the same nest each year. The island is a perfect choice for their new home as it is remote, surrounded by water and will have a steady supply of fish and aquatic species for the birds’ consumption.
