The autumn season transforms the 1000 Islands into one of the most spectacular outdoor destinations. As the trees turn brilliant shades of crimson red, golden yellow and brilliant orange, the St. Lawrence River landscape offers visitors and families a chance to create amazing memories. Cooler temperatures make outdoor adventures more comfortable, and the slower pace of fall allows visitors and families more time to discover what makes the 1000 Islands truly special.
Fall in the 1000 Islands isn’t just about admiring the changing leaves; it’s a season filled with outdoor adventures, community events and family activities. From hiking and biking on scenic trails, exploring cider mills and pumpkin patches to fall festivals, the 1000 Islands communities on both sides of the border embrace the fall season.
ALEXANDRIA BAY
The hiking trails around Alexandria Bay offer several opportunities to take in breathtaking views of the fall foliage in the 1000 Islands. A drive across the Thousand Islands International Bridge to Wellesley Island State Park offers several trails, ranging from easy loops to longer scenic walks. Just outside the village, the 115-acre Otter Creek Preserve offers nearly two miles of walking trails, along with a wildlife observation tower panoramic views of the surrounding area and birdwatching. Keewaydin State Park has several walking trails, picnic areas and a swimming pool for family day trips. The views from an Uncle Sam’s Boat Tour boat are spectacular in the fall, or touring Boldt Castle on Heart Island or Singer Castle on Dark Island. The downtown corridor offers numerous shopping and restaurant options to spend a relaxing fall day.
CAPE VINCENT
The Cape Vincent Village Green on East Broadway Street comes alive in late September with the annual Oktoberfest celebration, bringing the flavors and sounds of Germany to this waterfront community. Visitors can enjoy authentic German music and food, along with family-themed activities. The village has several waterfront locations to walk and enjoy the St. Lawrence River. A short drive over to Tibbetts Point Lighthouse, the recently opened Schmeer Preserve (maintained by the Thousand Islands Land Trust) offers a short nature trail through restored grasslands leading to an observation tower with amazing views of Lake Ontario, Wilson Bay and the restored lighthouse.
CHAUMONT / THREE MILE BAY
The Chaumont Barrens Nature Preserve on Van Alstyne Road is a hidden hiking gem, as the nearly two-mile path winds through rare alvar grasslands and limestone woodlands. In the fall, the changing colors and migrating birds at Chaumont Barrens are truly unique.
CLAYTON
Flying pumpkins take over the waterfront in mid-October, drawing a large crowd to the annual Pumpkin Chuckin festival. Teams fire pumpkins hundreds of feet over the St. Lawrence River using homemade catapults, while families can enjoy a variety of fun, fall-themed activities throughout this quaint village. Looking to stretch your legs and enjoy some autumn scenery, the Thousand Island Land Trust (TILT) maintains several scenic trails along the St. Lawrence River, stretching from Cape Vincent to Alexandria Bay. At Zenda Farm Preserve, just west of Clayton on Route 12E, hikers can use several paths to enjoy the changing colors of fall and watch the nesting birds sore over surrounding grasslands. A boat cruise with Clayton Island Boat Tours to Rock Island Lighthouse State Park on a glass-bottomed boat, or a visit to Boldt Castle, offers an extraordinary way to experience the beauty of the 1000 Islands during the fall.
SACKETS HARBOR
The sweeping views of Black River Bay and Lake Ontario provide a stunning backdrop to walk the wheelchair-accessible trail at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic District. The battlefield trail connects to the village’s War of 1812 Bicentennial Trail, which winds through woods, farm fields and runs alongside Sackets Harbor Central School’s sports fields. The downtown corridor lined with shops and restaurants lets you relax and A few minutes outside the village, Old McDonald’s Farm has become a popular fall destination for families, offering a fun corn maze, expansive pumpkin patch and hayrides.
WATERTOWN
A popular hiking trail, the paved Black River Trail stretches 4.5 miles from Watertown to the village of Black River. A stroll along the Black River offers stunning fall views as the leaves change. Watertown has several bike lanes throughout the city to explore the area. Enjoy a walk on the Veterans Memorial Walkway along the Black River or through Public Square in downtown to see the vivid autumn leaves. A fall staple is a trip to the Burrville Cider Mill for fresh apple cider, hot cider donuts or various apples from around the region.
BROCKVILLE
The community celebrates the season with Fall Fest in late September, featuring numerous vendors, a family fun zone with inflatable bounce houses and a petting zoo. Explore the region with a boat tour on Rockport Cruises to explore the fantastic fall landscape with colorful islands and spectacular sightseeing opportunities. Biking in Brockville offers several scenic waterfront routes and tree-turning paths to see peak fall foliage. The Brockville Railroad Tunnel is also a local fall favorite, with colorful illuminating displays as visitors explore the historic underground passage.
GANANOQUE
The Thousand Islands Parkway starts just outside Gananoque and follows the St. Lawrence River, offering bikers many kilometers of scenic views of the fall season. The Town of Gananoque also offers 12 kilometers of walking and hiking trails for a relaxed meander in the woods or along the river. The fall season is vibrant on the water with 1000 Islands City Cruises. Down the road, the 1000 Islands Tower on Hill Island is a 400-foot observation tower, that provides panoramic views of the 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River area.
KINGSTON
Kingston embraces the fall season as visitors and families can enjoy the city’s spooky side. Each October, Fort Henry’s annual Fort Fright brings monsters and unexpected scares to the centuries-old fort, while The Haunted Walk offers several chilling ways to explore Kingston’s haunted history, from Queen’s University to the historic S.S. Keewatin at the Great Lakes Museum. The Kingston Red Trolley also offers a tour of the city’s haunted locations. The K&P trail, which starts in downtown Kingston at Confederation Park and winds through the city, offers 22 kilometers of majestic fall views through farmlands and wetlands, along with city landscapes.