Cabins at the 1000 Islands region provide a convenient waterfront camping option for visitors to Clayton, New York. Located along the St. Lawrence River with elevations averaging 250-300 feet above sea level, the area experiences warm summers with temperatures typically ranging 70-85°F and cool nights around 55-65°F. Most cabin rentals operate from May through October, with limited options available during spring and fall shoulder seasons.
What to do
Fishing at riverside spots: Wellesley Island State Park Campground offers excellent fishing opportunities directly from the shoreline. "The fishing on the St. Lawrence is awesome! Catch some perch and have a fish fry back at camp! If you fish near the boat rental there is a place to clean your fish," explains Amanda H. The park provides access to some of the region's best fishing spots.
Swimming in designated areas: Kring Point State Park Campground features multiple swimming areas along the St. Lawrence. "Kring point has islands as well you can jump off the rocks into the water," notes Sara H. The park maintains a small beach with a lifeguard on duty during summer months and natural rock formations that create unique swimming experiences.
Exploring nature trails: Wellesley Island maintains several miles of hiking paths through diverse habitats. "I really recommend heading to the nature center and following the trails there. The views are gorgeous and you get some great vistas," shares Emily S. The trails range from easy 0.5-mile loops to more challenging 2-3 mile routes through forests and along shorelines.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Swan Bay Resort provides direct access to the St. Lawrence River. "Our waterfront pull-IN site was a level concrete pad and gravel with FHU and everything worked great. Oh, and the best part was our view of the St. Lawrence River with passing ocean liners and lots of migrating birds," explains Matt S. Most waterfront sites require reservations 3-6 months in advance.
Spacious sites: Wellesley Island State Park Campground offers roomier camping spots than many other area facilities. "We stayed at site Bluejay 3. Very spacious and private. We reserved the site 3 days prior and still found most waterfront campsites already reserved," reports Erin B. The Bluejay loop is particularly noted for its larger sites with moderate privacy between neighbors.
Sunsets and night skies: The region's western exposure creates spectacular evening views. "Every day is beautiful here," writes Kim B. about Wellesley Island. At Swan Bay Resort, another camper noted, "Sunsets were phenomenal! I mean, jaw dropping gorgeous." Light pollution is minimal at most campgrounds, allowing for good stargazing opportunities.
What you should know
Site selection matters: Kring Point State Park Campground has varying site sizes and layouts. "Beautiful campground. Just didn't expect the plots to be so small with no privacy. Thought we chose a plot in an area with tents only, but there was a massive camper right beside us with noisy people," reports Christopher. Some loops have better separation between sites than others.
Seasonal considerations: Most cabin accommodations operate within a limited window. Dewolf Point State Park Campground runs from "May 20 to September 19," while others like Kring Point operate "May 6 to October 9." At Wellesley Island, a few cottages remain open until Thanksgiving.
Reservation timing: Popular waterfront sites book up months in advance. "It's so nice it's hard to reserve, because people grab it nine months in advance!" explains Brian F. about Kring Point. Holiday weekends typically require bookings 6-9 months ahead, while weekday stays might be available with 2-3 weeks' notice.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Grass Point State Park Campground offers excellent facilities for children. "The playground was extremely nice! We will definitely camp there in the future," shares Sara H. The playground equipment is suitable for children ages 3-12 and located centrally within the campground.
Protected swimming areas: Several parks maintain designated swimming zones with various amenities. "Grass Point had a life guard on duty. The beach didn't really have any sand. But had stone steps to walk into the water," notes a visitor. These supervised swimming areas provide safer options for families with younger children.
Kid-friendly activities: 1000 Islands Campground maintains organized programming during peak season. "Extremely clean, well run and has the most options for all kinds of camping... conveniently located near many of the attractions," writes Kathi V. The campground is situated within 15 minutes of popular family destinations.
Tips from RVers
Concrete pads available: Certain campgrounds provide more stable surfaces for larger rigs. At Swan Bay Resort, "All of there sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups. There is riverviews from just about every site," reports Michael M. The resort accommodates RVs up to 45 feet with full hookups and 50-amp service.
Wind considerations: The St. Lawrence River corridor experiences significant winds that can affect RV setups. At Swan Bay Resort, one long-term camper "mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind," according to a reviewer. When camping along the waterfront, secure loose items and retract awnings when leaving the site.
Water access logistics: RVers should note water availability at different campgrounds. At Wellesley Island, "There are water spigots around the loop to fill up your fresh tank before setting your jacks," explains Bran P. Not all sites provide direct water hookups, so arriving with a partially filled tank is recommended.
