Crab Island State Park
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Revolutionary War Island — Island in Lake Champlain where American forces staged the FIRST naval battle of the Revolution — Benedict Arnold’s 1776 fleet fought the British here
Crab Island State Park is a small island in Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh — with a military history far beyond its modest size. During the Revolutionary War, Benedict Arnold (before his treason!) assembled a makeshift fleet on Lake Champlain in 1776 to delay a British invasion from Canada. The Battle of Valcour Island (October 1776) — fought just miles from Crab Island — was the first major naval engagement of the American Revolution. Although Arnold lost the battle, he delayed the British invasion by a full year — arguably saving the Revolution. The island also saw action in the War of 1812.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, NY |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Battle | 1776 — FIRST naval battle of Revolution! |
| Hero | Benedict Arnold — before treason! |
About Crab Island
Crab Island State Park sits in Lake Champlain near Plattsburgh — where the decisive Battle of Plattsburgh (1814) was fought during the War of 1812. The American naval victory on Lake Champlain forced the British to abandon their invasion of New York and directly influenced the Treaty of Ghent ending the war. Crab Island served as a hospital station during the battle. The island is accessible only by boat.
Things to Do
Boating to the island, picnicking, swimming in Lake Champlain, fishing, exploring the War of 1812 battlefield site, and viewing the Adirondack Mountains across the lake.
Insider Tips
Lake Champlain: Crab Island sits in Lake Champlain — where the 1814 Battle of Plattsburgh was a decisive American victory that helped end the War of 1812. Pro tip: Lake Champlain was a strategic military corridor from the French and Indian Wars through the War of 1812. “Champ”: Lake Champlain has its own lake monster legend — “Champ” — with sightings reported since the 1600s.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Boat access and lake recreation. Fall: Adirondack-Champlain foliage. Spring: Fishing. Winter: Frozen lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Plattsburgh?
The Battle of Plattsburgh (September 11, 1814) was a decisive American naval and land victory on Lake Champlain — stopping a British invasion of 10,000+ troops from Canada. The victory was as strategically important as the more famous Battle of New Orleans. It helped persuade Britain to negotiate peace (Treaty of Ghent, 1814). Master Commandant Thomas Macdonough’s tactical brilliance on the lake is studied at naval academies.
