Cedar Island State Park in New York, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-11-11. Check linked official notices before travel.

Cedar Island State Park in New York is a boat-only stop in Chippewa Bay on the St. Lawrence River. Use the mainland public launch near Hammond for a day trip or a camping stay. If you reserve a campsite, the site includes one dock slip.

A small island campsite and picnic stop

The state park occupies about half of Cedar Island. Lightly wooded campsites sit near the day-use area and picnic pavilion. Plan how you’ll get everyone and their gear to the island before committing to an overnight stay. There is no bridge or ferry.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Prepare for the boat crossing

Motorboat operators in New York generally need a recognized safe boating certificate. Keep the original certificate with you or aboard, or carry accepted proof such as a New York DMV credential with the anchor icon. The rental exception for uncertified operators is limited to adults 18 and older and excludes personal watercraft and specialty prop craft. Bring proof of identity and age. The rental operator must give instruction, and you must show you can handle the boat and its safety equipment.

Carry a properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket for each person. If you’re paddling, also carry a horn or whistle and a white light, such as a waterproof flashlight. New York requires everyone on a pleasure boat under 21 feet (6.4 m) to wear one from November 1 to May 1, including people in canoes and kayaks. Children under 12 must wear a life jacket on a motorboat under 65 feet or on another pleasure boat such as a sailboat, canoe or kayak. An enclosed cabin is an exception to this rule. Read the state boating rules for details and motorboat safety certificates.

Use fire rings and supervise pets

Clean, drain and dry your boat and gear or have them treated before launching. Keep fires in the campsite fire rings. In permitted day-use areas, supervise up to two pets and crate them or use a leash up to 6 feet (1.8 m). Where pets are permitted, bring up to two per campsite and keep them on leashes up to 6 feet. Bring current proof of rabies vaccination to check-in. Metal tags are insufficient. Check the park’s pet rules before taking an animal to other facilities.

Book Cedar Island specifically

Use the Cedar Island reservation page. Book at least two days ahead and up to nine months in advance. The person registering must be at least 18. A camping party can stay up to 14 consecutive nights. The party and its equipment must then leave the facility for 48 hours before registering again.

Launch from Chippewa Bay

Drive to the public boat launch and parking area in Chippewa Bay near Hammond. The DEC boat-launch directory gives the mainland ramp location and marks it as a hard-surface launch. The Redwood address in the campground listing is for mail. The island itself is on the St. Lawrence River.

Nearby parks with road access

• Kring Point State Park. Use the entrance on Kring Point Road in Redwood. The park lists year-round sunrise-to-sunset hours.
• Jacques Cartier State Park. Reach the park from Route 12 near Morristown. Its sheltered bay has a beach and campers’ dock with seasonal services.

Boat, fish or picnic

Fish or paddle in Chippewa Bay, then make the island’s picnic area your shore stop. Anglers age 16 or older generally need a New York freshwater fishing license to fish in New York waters.

Docks and picnic facilities

The park has campsites, docks, picnic tables and a pavilion. If anyone in your party needs help transferring between the boat and shore, contact the park before booking to ask about the ramp and landing that you plan to use.

Cedar Island in the Thousand Islands

Cedar Island sits in the New York section of the Thousand Islands in St. Lawrence County. The park’s boat approach is from Chippewa Bay on the south side of the river.

Contact Cedar Island State Park

Call 315-783-1963 for dock and landing questions or use the New York State Parks Cedar Island page for facility information.