The 1,890 tiny islands in the St.
Lawrence River west of Lake Ontario in New York State are home
to thousands of campsites and recreation areas. The opportunities
for outdoor adventures among the 1,00 islands are almost countless.
There are 30 state parks on the 1,000 Islands and the banks of
the St Lawrence River. The park at Wellesley Island is the largest
with 429 campsites, a marina and a golf course. Point au Roche
State Park is a great choice for hikers and cross-country skiers.
Burnham Point State Park offers campsites on the wooded lakeside,
and is close enough to the quiet village of Cape Vincent to enjoy
its amenities, such as they are.
Boating and swimming are popular activities in the waters of Lake
Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. There is Chartered Fishing
to enjoy as well as fantastic diving among the many, many ship
wrecks around the islands. The introduction of the Zebra Mussel
has made the water in this section of the St. Lawrence crystal
clear. Hunters will enjoy the mainland’s two big game an
upland bird hunting preserves, the Lucky Star Ranch and the Sno
Fun Hunting Preserve.
One of the areas most interesting attractions is the Boldt Castle
on Heart Island. George C. Bold was a hotel mogul in the late
19th century who used his fortuned to construct a Rhineland style
castle in the 1,000 islands for his beloved wife, Louise. Tragically
for the couple, Louise died before the castle was complete, and
the heartbroken George abandoned the project. The castle and its
buildings were completed and restored in 1977 and now this remarkable
structure and its outbuildings are open for public viewing. Ferry
tours depart from Alexandria Bay on the mainland.
The Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg exhibits paintings
and sculptures by this eastern artist who is best known for romanticizing
the American West. Hotelier George C. Boldt asked one of his
chefs to create a special dressing for his hotels, a concoction that
we know today as 1,000 Island Dressing.
