# Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands

> 3-day road trip of about 228 km (142 mi) with 8 stops, from Syracuse to Boldt Castle. About 2 h 32 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/b10-thousand-islands/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 228 km (142 mi) with 8 stops, from Syracuse to Boldt Castle. About 2 h 32 min of driving in total. Along the Seaway Trail from Oswego to castles on islands in the St. Lawrence River.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 228 km (142 mi) |
| Driving | 2 h 32 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 8 |
| Route | Syracuse → Boldt Castle |
| States | NY |
| Updated | April 29, 2026 |

## Route description

Leave Syracuse north on State Road 481 to Oswego and Fort Ontario, a star fort on the lakeshore. From here the Great Lakes Seaway Trail follows State Road 3 along Lake Ontario, past dunes and state parks, to Sackets Harbor, a War of 1812 battlefield and naval base with a charming village.

Continue on State Road 12E to Cape Vincent and Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, where Lake Ontario becomes the St. Lawrence River. This is a wonderful sunset spot, and freighters glide past on the Seaway.

Follow the river to Clayton, a boating town with the Antique Boat Museum, then cross the Thousand Islands Bridge to Wellesley Island State Park for river campsites and trails.

Finish at Alexandria Bay, where tour boats leave for Boldt Castle on Heart Island and cruises among the islands. Some cruises enter Canadian waters, so bring a passport. The season runs from May to mid-October.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Syracuse** (NY)
2. **Fort Ontario** (Oswego, NY): A star-shaped fort above Lake Ontario that later sheltered nearly 1,000 World War II refugees, told at the nearby Safe Haven museum.
3. **Sackets Harbor** (NY)
4. **Tibbetts Point Lighthouse** (Cape Vincent, NY): A white lighthouse where Lake Ontario flows into the St. Lawrence River; a great sunset spot and a good place to watch ships.
5. **Clayton** (NY)
6. **Wellesley Island State Park** (Fineview, NY): A large island park reached by the Thousand Islands Bridge, with river campsites and a nature center with trails over granite knobs.
7. **Alexandria Bay** (NY)
8. **Boldt Castle** (Alexandria Bay, NY): An unfinished six-story castle on Heart Island, begun by a hotel magnate for his wife. Reached by tour boats or water taxi from Alexandria Bay; bring a passport if your cruise enters Canada.

## FAQs

**How long is Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands?**
3-day road trip of about 228 km (142 mi) with 8 stops, from Syracuse to Boldt Castle. About 2 h 32 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands?**
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 32 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands start and end?**
It starts in Syracuse and ends in Boldt Castle.

**Which states does Lake Ontario and the Thousand Islands pass through?**
New York.