Croil Island State Park
🏆🏆🏆🏆 St. Lawrence Island — Island park on the St. Lawrence River — part of the legendary Thousand Islands region, one of the most scenic waterways in North America
Croil Island State Park is an island in the St. Lawrence River — part of the legendary Thousand Islands region. The Thousand Islands (actually 1,864 islands!) stretch for 50 miles along the US-Canada border where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River. The region was a playground for Gilded Age millionaires — George Boldt (Waldorf-Astoria owner) built a 120-room castle on Heart Island for his wife. Thousand Islands salad dressing was invented here! The islands formed when the last glaciers retreated, flooding an ancient river valley and leaving granite hilltops exposed as islands.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | St. Lawrence River, NY |
| Entry Fee | Free |
| Islands | 1,864 islands — “Thousand” is modest! |
| Fun Fact | Thousand Islands dressing invented HERE! |
About Croil Island
Croil Island State Park in St. Lawrence County provides island recreation in the St. Lawrence River — the great waterway connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The Thousand Islands region, where Croil Island sits, contains over 1,800 islands and has been a resort destination since the Gilded Age. Thousand Island salad dressing was invented here in the early 1900s. The island is accessible only by boat.
Things to Do
Boating to the island, camping, fishing for muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and northern pike, kayaking through the Thousand Islands, and exploring one of America’s most scenic river archipelagos.
Insider Tips
St. Lawrence River: Croil Island sits in the St. Lawrence River — the outlet of the Great Lakes and one of the world’s great waterways. Pro tip: The St. Lawrence Seaway (1959) allows ocean-going ships to reach the Great Lakes — 2,340 miles from the Atlantic. Thousand Islands: The region contains 1,864 islands — some barely larger than a dining table.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Island exploration and fishing. Fall: River foliage. Spring: Musky fishing season. Winter: Ice fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Thousand Islands are there?
There are exactly 1,864 islands in the Thousand Islands — to qualify, an island must support at least one tree and be above water year-round. They range from tiny rock outcrops to large inhabited islands. The region straddles the US-Canada border — creating a unique international waterway. Thousand Island dressing was reportedly invented here in the early 1900s, named after the region.
