New York

One thousand islands: The name alone should whet the appetite of anyone who dreams of boating. And in fact there are even more little patches of land dotting the St. Lawrence—1,864 to be exact. Forget the motorized craft: With so many places to escape the noise of civilization, the islands make the perfect place to bring a canoe or sea kayak. True, the river isn't exactly a secret, and summertime crowds get quite large. But this picturesque playground is dotted with islands of all sizes, and there are enough nooks and crannies to get away from the paddlers. In fact, three state parks with campgrounds can be reached only by sea: Cedar Island, Mary Island, and the invitingly named Canoe and Picnic Point on Grindstone Island. It's a paddler's paradise for both day-trippers and those who want to spend some time on the open water, in winding channels and around back bays.

A thousand points of land:
Canoe through the 1,000 islands.

Trip Facts
When to go: MayOctober
Difficulty rating: Moderate

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Select a New York Adventure

Classic Adventures Paddle the 1,000 Islands Bike the Finger Lakes Flyfish the Catskills Climb the Shawangunks Play Around Lake Placid

Off the Beaten Path Run the Erie Canal Surf Cast at Montauk Hike the North Country Trail Kayak New York City Raft North Country Whitewater

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New York Getaways - Visit the Empire State Visit New England - Experience the magic of the Northeast outdoors. Biking the Mid-Atlantic - Explore the historic Mid-Atlantic states on bicycle.

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GORP New York
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