Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
Rock Island Lighthouse State Park
4.5
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4.5
150 reviews
Excellent
110
Very good
34
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Diane Zych
Clarence Center, NY5 contributions
Jul 2021
We stopped here on the Clayton Ultimate 1000 Islands Sightseeing Tour. Mike, our boat tour guide, told us that it was beautiful and very informative. He wasn't wrong. Besides being in Boldt Castle, we were on an actual island in the 1000 islands. You could also climb the beautiful lighthouse which they still use. The island was small but so clean and peaceful. It's a NYS Park - very different from other state parks. Take the boat tour and it's part of the package!
Written 17 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the great review! We are happy to hear you enjoyed your Ultimate Sightseeing Tour with us. Rock Island is a hidden gem! Thank you for choosing Clayton Island Tours.
Written 18 July 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
EllieV1234
Alexandria Bay, NY62 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
Beautiful Island. Handicapped accessable.
Carry in, carry out island. Beautiful lighthouse, but you can not go inside. Small gift shop. Beautiful views from anywhere in the island. Great place for pictures. Clean island, no garbage, beautifully manicured grounds..
Carry in, carry out island. Beautiful lighthouse, but you can not go inside. Small gift shop. Beautiful views from anywhere in the island. Great place for pictures. Clean island, no garbage, beautifully manicured grounds..
Written 12 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for touring Rock Island Lighthouse with Clayton Island Tours! Perhaps you will join us again for a tour when the lighthouse tower is allowed to reopen after Covid!
Written 5 September 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nitisha J
11 contributions
May 2018
The tour is perfectly guided and apt for the time it devotes. The time at rock island is worthwhile. The serenity speaks of it. If one has more time, I would definitely recommend visiting Boldt Castle which I missed, but for 3 hours, this tour is justified.
Written 18 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles M
San Diego, CA130 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
The island is free admission, but if you want to tour the house or lighthouse there is a fee.
We enjoyed our visit, and it was fun.
There is a treasure hunt for children and lots of information about the lighthouse. Being along the shipping channel you get to see lots of boats, we even saw a laker go right by us.
Additionally you are pretty close the the Thousand Island Bridges so you can get some decent pictures.
There is a bit of a climb up the lighthouse, but it is worth it.
Probably around 40 stairs in a helix (circle), and at the top there is an inclined ladder to get up the last 7 feet (think like a bunk bed ladder). My 4 year old could handle the ladder just fine. She enjoyed it so much she dragged me back up the lighthouses before we left. And the view from the top is wonderful.
Between 2 trips up the lighthouse and the short tour of the keepers house and a walk around the island for the treasure hunt we spend around 45 minutes.
There is docking for private boats or Clayton Island Tours offers a couple of ferries/tours each day.
My parents both walk with canes, they had a good time walking through the house and around the island, but they (wisely) chose not to go up the lighthouse stairs.
We enjoyed our visit, and it was fun.
There is a treasure hunt for children and lots of information about the lighthouse. Being along the shipping channel you get to see lots of boats, we even saw a laker go right by us.
Additionally you are pretty close the the Thousand Island Bridges so you can get some decent pictures.
There is a bit of a climb up the lighthouse, but it is worth it.
Probably around 40 stairs in a helix (circle), and at the top there is an inclined ladder to get up the last 7 feet (think like a bunk bed ladder). My 4 year old could handle the ladder just fine. She enjoyed it so much she dragged me back up the lighthouses before we left. And the view from the top is wonderful.
Between 2 trips up the lighthouse and the short tour of the keepers house and a walk around the island for the treasure hunt we spend around 45 minutes.
There is docking for private boats or Clayton Island Tours offers a couple of ferries/tours each day.
My parents both walk with canes, they had a good time walking through the house and around the island, but they (wisely) chose not to go up the lighthouse stairs.
Written 31 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PWJONES2
Baltimore, MD31 contributions
Aug 2015 • Friends
The group of 46 people that took this tour with me, loved every moment of it. The tour guides was exceptional and shared so much great history of the area. Our captain entertained us with a brief dance and all just fell in love with the staff. We had lunch prepared for us on the island delicious turkey/ham/veggie wraps, pasta salad and toss salad, chips, soda, water and giant cookies. I enjoyed the staff as they were so friendly and had engaging personalities. I felt like they we had known them for years and had a sort of family reunion. Loll. The island was beautiful, picturesque and perfect. My teenage kids were with me and they enjoyed touring the area, climbing the mini hillsides and watching sea otters swimming between land and river. Folks even enjoyed going up into the lighthouse, while I simply enjoyed the gift shop and breathtaking view of the St. Lawrence River. Loll
Written 13 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
littlebirdie3
Watertown,NY54 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
This is a beautiful small island. You can climb to the top of the lighthouse for a great view of the river. It is a smaller lighthouse so the climb isn't bad. It is kind of tight quarters in the lighthouse so they allow groups of 4 or 5 to go up at a time. To get to the very top, where the light is, you have to climb a small ladder. There is only room for maybe 4 people at a time at the very top. The climb may be tricky for those with smaller children. There are restrooms on the island & a small gift shop (no food but I saw bottles of water). The island is quiet & has a couple of picnic tables. The staff is very friendly & knowledgeable. If you go look for Deb & say "hi", she's great!
Written 30 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lackat
Clifton Springs, New York22 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Not owning a boat we accessed the lighthouse via Clayton 2 hr boat tour. The tour guide offered loads of interesting information and nautical facts to and from the island. The TI area is spectacular every season of the year. Lighthouse recently renovated and opened..very clean no frills just right!! We loved it!! Will return in Autumn
Written 2 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DJINTX2
Texas Gulf Coast, TX33 contributions
Aug 2014 • Friends
Out boating on St. Lawrence and stopped into Rock Island Light House and was very pleased. Great bathroom facilities, nice picnic area, wonderful job done by parks on restoration of light and keepers house. Small fee to go up into light.
Docks are excellent but tricky to approach from mainland side due to very strong current. Use channel side slips for much easier approach.
Docks are excellent but tricky to approach from mainland side due to very strong current. Use channel side slips for much easier approach.
Written 7 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SueChas
Dutchess County New York15 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Took two of our grandkids there and what a treat- the staff was so friendly and helpful. The park is so clean and modern. The dock was so easy to dock our boat and the rest rooms were quite a surprise. The view from the top of the lighthouse was priceless. We highly recommend this as a must see attraction in the 1000 islands.
Written 4 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bmaves
Fairport, NY84 contributions
Perfect weather and a perfect boat tour and history of the Rock Island Lighthouse and the islands around this part of the River as it is called. The Saint Lawrence Seaway. Captain Matt maneuvered our glass bottom boats around the many islands, shoals and rocks so we could see close up the many sights of this tour. Passing by the rum runners haunts of the prohibition days. Our stop at the Lighthouse was great. An hour to wander the island, keepers house and climb the light house to the top. Channel marker 211 is located just off the island. Huge cargo and container ship travel almost an arms length away from this location. Historic references to shipwrecks throughout this River and passing by one still beached were it was lost so long ago. Passing by Thousand Island Park, an enclave of over 300 homes preserved over time from the late 1870’s. Late 19th and 20th century architectural style can be seen preserved in time and judiciously cared for. Eel Bay at Wellesley Island, Shark Rock, the Speed Boat house and the many stories told by First Mate and tour Guide Matt, not related were fascinating and informative. On our way back we learned about the history of the great hotels, The Hotel Frontenac and the great fire. Passing over huge dock pilling submerged below our boat from the days of this grand hotel. The Post Office and a tour past Clayton, waterside was a great ending to a super tour.
Written 27 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for the wonderful review and your attention to detail! We are thrilled you enjoyed the experience.
Written 9 June 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
starlet2653
Toronto, Canada
When do the cruises from Gananoque to Bolt Castle begin?
Written 25 April 2017
is the class bottom boat accesable for the handicapped
Written 26 August 2016
How do you get to the island. It appears Clayton Boat tours is closed
Written 7 July 2015
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