The Thousand Islands region near Theresa, New York features 1,864 islands scattered throughout the St. Lawrence River. The area has a humid continental climate with warm summers reaching 80°F and cold winters often below freezing. Dispersed camping at locations like Payne Lake offers primitive sites with no amenities but public boat ramps for direct water access.
What to do
Fishing excursions: At Wellesley Island State Park Campground, fishing is particularly productive in summer months. "We camped here with one of our children, and had a wonderful time canoeing, fishing, and spending time together!" noted camper Trina W. The park provides access to some of the best fishing spots in the region.
Boat rentals: Kring Point State Park Campground offers water recreation options with boat launch facilities. A visitor mentions, "Great place. Nice camp store. Access to the water great for boating and swimming. Kring point has islands as well you can jump off the rocks into the water." The park's location makes it ideal for exploring the St. Lawrence by watercraft.
Nature center programs: Wellesley Island features educational programs at their nature center with hiking trails for wildlife observation. "LOVELY park. Thousand Islands camping on an island you can drive to...so no boat needed but you'll regret it if you don't have one. You can also play golf here, learn at the nature center, and great swimming," shares Kim B.
What campers like
Swimming areas: Cedar Point State Park Campground maintains a beach area that receives positive feedback. "The beach was well kept, and the playground was perfect for our kids (8 and younger)," reports Courtney M. The swimming areas feature lifeguards during peak season.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region offer well-separated camping areas. At Wellesley Island, one camper noted, "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." Sites along the water tend to book fastest.
Playground facilities: Grass Point State Park Campground receives praise for its recreational areas. "The playground was extremely nice! We will definitely camp there in the future," mentions Sara H. Most state parks in the region maintain similar play equipment for children.
What you should know
Reservation timing: The popularity of waterfront sites means early booking is essential. At Cedar Point, autumn L. shares: "This might be one of my favorite campgrounds, but I may be biased because we lucked into a spot by the water." Waterfront sites at most parks should be reserved 9 months in advance.
Grocery access: Limited on-site supplies mean planning ahead for groceries. "Bring what you need since there isn't much in the way of grocery on the island," advises Kim B. about Wellesley Island. However, Swan Bay Resort offers better access, with a camper noting "Within walking distance is a Price Chopper Grocery, Dollar General, gas station, and wine and liquor store."
Wind conditions: The St. Lawrence River corridor experiences significant wind that affects camping comfort. A seasonal camper at Swan Bay Resort "mentioned that he lost three awnings to the wind. So, don't leave your awning out when you leave your camper and beware of winds if you want to be on the water."
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: The river current varies by location and season. Cedar Point offers protected swimming with "a small maintained beach area," according to autumn L. Many campgrounds designate specific swimming zones away from boat traffic.
Activity planning: State parks offer structured recreation programs during summer. At Cedar Point, Susan L. explains they have "a staffed rec hall with activities like scavenger hunts, art contests, and ping pong. Or you can borrow a book, hang a hammock and relax on the river."
Site selection for kids: 1000 Islands Campground provides family-friendly amenities. "My son loved the playground. Right behind gals ice cream. Park was clean! Bathrooms were nice," shares Sara H. Sites closer to playgrounds are ideal for families with young children but may experience more foot traffic.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between parks and specific loops. A camper at Keewaydin State Park warned, "When we got there there was no one in the sign in station. No electricity or water hookups. We reserved online and there was a mix up."
Concrete pads: Swan Bay Resort provides stable parking surfaces for larger rigs. "All of there sites are on slabs, neat and clean hook ups. There is riverviews from just about every site which is nice and then there are sites right on the river," notes Michael M. The level pads prevent shifting during rain.
Site length considerations: Accurate measurement of your RV setup is crucial when booking. At 1000 Islands Campground, Bryan reported, "Our original site was listed at 55', but there was no way our 43' camper would fit, nor make the tight turn into it." Always add 5-10 feet to your total length when reserving.
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