1000 Islands Adventure

Baldwinsville Free Dock

“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” ―Danny Kaye

We're on our way to the 1000 Islands (pronounced “Thousand Islands,” not “One Thousand Islands”). We spent a few days in the area in 2012, but didn't feel like we really had enough time to explore all the little places we wanted to see. The Thousand Islands constitute an archipelago of 1,864 islands that straddles the US/Canadian border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. The islands stretch about 50 miles downstream from Kingston, ON to Brockville, ON. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario and the U.S. islands in the state of New York.

Vacationers have been going to the 1000 Islands for more than 150 years to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. It was a fashionable retreat for the elite in the late 19th century and many built elaborate mansions on their private islands. Today visitors can visit two of those homes...Boldt Castle and Singer Castle. 

The area today is a hub for outdoor activities, a sightseer’s paradise filled with endless shorelines, rich history and unique culture. Waters that were once patrolled by pirates and prohibition bootleggers are now cruised by boaters who enjoy serene bays and vacationers who tour aboard guided trips to hear the astonishing stories behind the islands.

The islands range in size from over 40 square miles to smaller islands occupied by a single residence, or uninhabited outcroppings of rocks. To count as one of the Thousand Islands, emergent land within the river channel must have at least one square foot of land above water level year-round, and support at least one living tree. The smallest island is Tom Thumb Island...with just one tree and only a few square feet staying above water all year, it just barely makes the cut. No island is divided by the international border, which causes the border to zig-zag across the water.