The best camping near Thousand Islands National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Thousand Islands National Park adventure.

Camp on an island in the St. Lawrence River in Canada’s first national park east of the Rockies.  

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Community favorites near Thousand Islands National Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Thousand Islands National Park

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May Meadows Farm

3 sites · Tents120 acres · De Kalb Junction, NY
Located in a hay meadow that is farmed 2 to 3 times a year to provide food for our animals. Next to the meadow is a mix of maple and pine trees. In the spring we use the maple trees for maple syrup production. Learn more about this land:This site is close to the road but easy to access. It is located where there was once an old stone barn, and all that is left is the stone foundation. Set around shrubbery trees, with two big maples at the parking spot to provide shade and coverage. You look out to an open hay meadow. That abuts our maple sugar stand with a mix of pine trees in the woods. You will be able to watch lots of deer frolic and play in the meadow and hear the sounds of the wildlife and birds around the woods. You may hear the occasional horse-drawn carriage as our neighbors are Amish and utilize the road frequently. In the distance, you might hear a stray moo as we have three farms on the road that are home to a variety of cows.On the campsite, you are more than welcome to bring a pet and let them safely roam around the field, or take a walk around yourself. If you are up for a farm adventure, please let us know we are more than happy to share our story and give a tour of our multifunctional farm, featuring dairy production, sheep, goats, cropping, and a few horses.In this unique spot, you will have convenient access to Route 11 and be a short 12 min drive to the town of Canton. Around us, we have a nature preserve that allows for walks and wildlife sittings, the Grass River where you can kayak and swim.
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$13.50
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Better Farm

14 sites · Lodging, Tents62 acres · Redwood, NY
Better Farm is a 65-acre organic farm, animal sanctuary, artist colony, and retreat space. The property features forests, rolling hills, open fields, a pond, sauna, various paddocks for the rescued farm animals, organic gardens, a two-story Art Barn with local FM radio station, gallery, studio and recording space, and a second barn used for events. This second-generation property began as a 1970s commune that since 2009 has been revived and renovated to provide overnight lodging, event space, residencies, and educational opportunities for the curious and creative. The farm is 10 short miles from the St. Lawrence River and Thousand Islands of Northern New York. The area is a naturalist's paradise, with countless outdoor opportunities to enjoy from boating and swimming to snowshoeing and hiking. There are more than a dozen lakes within 10 minutes of the property, with cute towns to explore including Sackets Harbor, Clayton, Alexandria Bay, and Wellesley Island.
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$45
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Waddington's Leishman Point

4 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Waddington, NY
Leishman point is owned by the Town of Waddington and was created during the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Dredge spoils were transported and placed creating a tract of land that rises 50 feet above the river and surrounding lands. The New York Power Authority acquired the property from the Leishman's who owned and operated a farm on the surrounding lands. In 2000, the New York Power Authority deemed the property surplus and conveyed it to the Town of Waddington. This Hip-Camp endeavor is hopefully our first step in creating a fully functional RV Park and campsite for everyone to enjoy. Visit the Town of Waddington Museum at the Old Town Hall for more information on the construction of the the St. Lawrence Seaway and how it transformed Waddington. Learn more about this land: Park your RV or camper trailer or pitch your tent on top of Leishman Point in Waddington, New York and enjoy the unobstructed views of, and unlimited access to the majestic St. Lawrence River. The Waddington public beach is adjacent to the campsite with swimming, playground, and pavilion for all to enjoy. Bring your boat and safely moor it at the public docks at the beach. Watch the Great Lake freighters and recreational boats ply the waters of the St. Lawrence River whiling fishing, swimming, sun bathing, or just relaxing by the River.
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$31.50
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Nature's Heritage Farm

9 sites · Tents52 acres · Natural Bridge, NY
Nature's Heritage Farm is a beautiful wooded farm in the Adirondack foothills. We consider ourselves stewards of our land, and thus draw from permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and other natural farming methods to rebuild soil and ecosystem health, raise delicious food and happy animals. We have a rabbit colony, a couple horses, a flock of chickens, and a family of miniature donkeys too! We're happy to give you a tour and introduction to them. You'll love seeing our historic bank barn, and Momma Donk is guaranteed to win you over with her love of ear scratches. Nature's Heritage Farm is excited to offer DAY TRIPS to the farm!! Come get a tour, learn about all the animals, enjoy lots of snuggles and pets, and then enjoy the property for the day! We have a great play area for the kids, beautiful hiking, and more. Message us to schedule your day trip & tour! We offer primitive tent campsites. No electric or toilets are available at this time. However, we can offer a number of services and rentals, including all of the camping gear you could need. Want the fun of camping without the half day spent setting up? Let us know, we'll have a tent ready and waiting with cots, camp kitchen and supplies ready to go! Most of the property is woods (pine plantation and natural hard wood forest) crisscrossed by park like trails. You can count on finding some peace and solitude if that is what you desire. Also, there are many state parks, preserves, lakes, rivers and other enjoyable attractions nearby. Our hilltop campsite is a dark site, and you can get a wonderful, clear view of the stars! Nearby Attractions include: - Baker Woods Preserve - Turning Point Park - New York Zoo - Numerous Adirondacks parks, hikes and peaks - within day trip distance of the Thousand Islands and the Wild Center! Note that this property is near Fort Drum, so sometimes you can hear their munitions practice in the distance.
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$16
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Bittersweet-Milkweed Farm Cabin

1 site · Tent100 acres · Heuvelton, NY
The Bittersweet-Milkweed Collaborative is a 113 acre small-scale adventure in community-oriented regenerative agriculture. We strive for biodiversity and regeneration and healing of the land, increasing soil fertility, pollinator habitat and water health. We welcome volunteers, campers and students, always looking to build community and renew connections. The farm includes permaculture gardens, livestock, fields, forests and protected wetlands, along with trails through the woods for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in the winter. Set up camp in the midst of 113 acres of forest, fields and wetlands, exploring the multitude of micro-ecosystems. We offer an off-grid, two-story log cabin - no need to worry about the rain or snow! Enjoy the diversity of life as you relax in the permaculture gardens of our small-scale, certified organic agricultural operation. Feel free to volunteer your time on the farm, or purchase fresh fruits, veggies and meats!
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$25
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Forest & Farm Retreats at Wildwood Hills

3 sites · Tents100 acres · Colton, NY
Here you will be on over 100 acres of private land with hiking trails which meander through beautiful forests full of wildlife, ferns and rare flowers. Natural sights our wonderful land here offers include tumbling streams, sheer rock ledges, beaver ponds with wild ducks, and in the farther back “bear country” you might be lucky enough to get a peek of the resident flying squirrels! You can hike the hills and rocky ridges of the Cobbles and see the Adirondack foothills, a brilliant sunset or sunrise for the earlybirds. You can take our hiking trails to 1000s acres Public Land that borders our property and follow the trails there to Stone Valley and the Raquette River in Colton. This makes for miles of trails! The Raquette River Blue Corridor is known for hiking trails that follow the river and white-water kayaking at Stone Valley. We work a small organic farm at the front of our land where we grow vegetables and herbs, raise pigs and lots of birds. You can view the field of our young orchard and vineyard with its wildflowers and butterflies as you park and head back into the woods. Many times our twin horses will be pastured in this field as well. Stop by the farmstand for our current seasonal offerings and to check out its gorgeous timber-frame construction lovingly hand-crafted by Derrick from timbers sawn and cut from our forests and pegged together with antique carved oak pegs. If you are interested in learning more on a tour of our sawmill, gardens, animals, and other farm operations, we encourage you to contact us to schedule one during your stay. We offer the services of our canoes for 1-4 people, message us if you would like us to paddle with you out on the nearby river or some very special bog ponds. Derrick has led offroad bike rides on little known trails in the area and welcomes inquiries from any dual-sport/dirtbike riders, singly or groups. We love to teach folks a little of what we have learned on the farm, in the woods and in our studies, but first we need to arrange for the free time, so let us know if interested in hearing about building portable pig huts with living roofs, timber framing the old way, forestry and woodcraft, our menagerie, and other efforts to make the dream of sustainable living a reality. Colton, NY has townwide treatments for Blackflies. It is a natural biocontrol method that uses another organism (BTi) to kill only Blackfly larvae in waterways. It really works! We only ever get a few (literally) Blackflies between routine treatments if it is a bad season. During your stay here you will not have the usual clouds of Blackflies hovering around your head! But you will still see amazing numbers of dragonflies! At WildWood Hills Farm and Retreats, we are diversity inclusive and strive to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all. We respect all our guests and expect them to respect each other, us and the Land in kind. Go in Nature! ~ E & D
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$24
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The best camping near Thousand Islands National Park guide

Overview

About

Along the St. Lawrence River, straddling the border between Canada and the United States, Thousand Islands National Park doesn’t include thousands of islands, but it does protect roughly 20 of the region’s many isles. Popular for kayaking, picnicking, and convenient camping getaways, the park is about 175 kilometres north of Syracuse, New York. The Mallorytown Landing Visitor Centre, with a small oTENTik (platform tent) camping area, is along the 1000 Islands Parkway between the eastern Ontario towns of Gananoque and Brockville. You can also camp on a dozen of the park islands that you can reach by canoe, kayak, or water taxi.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for convenient glamping: Mallorytown Landing
  • Best for kayak camping: McDonald Island
  • Best for a quiet island getaway: Mulcaster Island

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. You can reserve 27 of the park’s campsites, as well as oTENTiks located on the mainland and on MacDonald and Gordon islands, via the Parks Canada online reservations system.
  2. Reservations open for the season in mid-January. The park also has 34 island campsites that are first-come, first-served.
  3. If you don’t have your own boat, remember to book a spot on one of the water taxis that take campers to the islands, or reserve a kayak, canoe, or other boat rental.

When to go

Thousand Islands National Park is open from mid-May through mid-October. Weekdays throughout the season are less crowded than weekends. While the park is busiest in July and August and during Canadian and U.S. long weekends, the best time to visit is in the fall, when the weather is usually comfortable and the trees take on their autumn colors. Another good time to come is the first half of June, which is typically less crowded than mid-summer.

Know before you go

  • Though located in Ontario, Thousand Islands is closer to Montreal (225 kilometres) than to Toronto (320 kilometres).
  • Both Ganaoque and Brockville have supermarkets and other stores stocking supplies for campers. Kingston, the region’s largest town, is 30 minute’s drive west of Gananoque.
  • Check the park website for local boat companies that can shuttle you to the islands and for canoe, kayak, and other boat rentals.
  • None of the park islands have shops or services, other than boat launches and composting toilets, so pack everything in and out. Central Grenadier is the only island with drinking water.

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