Hiking trail on Cathleen Stone Island, part of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Cathleen Stone Island Main Page
For a tourist, the only thing to do on Cathleen Stone Island (formerly Thompson Island) is to hike. With the ferry dock and the Outward Bound Campus being the central hub of the island, there is an opportunity to hike north to Coolidge Meadow and south to Challenge Field, passing two picturesque salt marshes along the way. There is also an old cemetery at the southern end.
Unlike most islands within Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, you cannot walk around Cathleen Stone Island by following the shoreline. The salt marshes are connected to the bay by narrow creeks, and walking around the island would entail wading across these waterways. Not only would you get wet, but there may also be deep mud involved.
I hiked to both ends of Cathleen Stone Island and found the trails to be very pleasant. See my reviews for complete details and plenty of photos.
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Last updated on May 9, 2025
