CLAYTON CASTLE FIELD GUIDE
A Two‑Hour River Passage Through Castles, Lighthouses, and Millionaire Shores
A narrated cruise from Clayton navigates roughly 20 miles of the St. Lawrence’s 1000 Islands, passing Boldt Castle, Rock Island Lighthouse and Sunken Rock Lighthouse on a compact, two‑hour loop.
A Two‑Hour River Passage Through Castles, Lighthouses, and Millionaire Shores.
The St. Lawrence here fragments into a bank of islands—rocky, wooded, and ringed with slate water—where grand masonry sits beside spruce and granite. On this two‑hour narrated cruise from Clayton you’ll move through that mosaic: a guide points out Boldt Castle’s turrets, the squat lantern of Sunken Rock Lighthouse, and the stately houses that line Millionaires Row as the boat threads the Seaway’s shipping channel.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
The 1000 Islands in miniature: islands, water, and shorefront
Cruising from Clayton, the route winds past dozens of small islands and waterfront estates, offering close views of rocky shorelines, tree‑covered islets and the often‑busy St. Lawrence Seaway shipping channel.
Boldt, pirates and lighthouse lore
The tour highlights regional history on the water: Boldt Castle and its Yacht House, Sunken Rock and Rock Island lighthouses, and local landmarks such as Devil’s Oven and Hopewell Hall bring maritime, social and island stories into view.
A compact 20‑mile loop from Clayton to Alexandria Bay
On an approximate 20‑mile course between Clayton and Alexandria Bay the guide narrates a focused two‑hour journey that may include close approaches to freighters transiting the Seaway and multiple named island stops.
What the day feels like
What the outing feels like
This is a compact, interpretive cruise: you board in Clayton, settle into a two‑hour circuit, and listen as a narrator/guide calls out landmarks while the boat rounds islands and follows the Seaway channel past lighthouses, grand summer homes and the turrets of Boldt Castle on Heart Island.
THE LANDSCAPE
The 1000 Islands in miniature: islands, water, and shorefront
Cruising from Clayton, the route winds past dozens of small islands and waterfront estates, offering close views of rocky shorelines, tree‑covered islets and the often‑busy St. Lawrence Seaway shipping channel.
THE HISTORY
Boldt, pirates and lighthouse lore
The tour highlights regional history on the water: Boldt Castle and its Yacht House, Sunken Rock and Rock Island lighthouses, and local landmarks such as Devil’s Oven and Hopewell Hall bring maritime, social and island stories into view.
THE ROUTE
A compact 20‑mile loop from Clayton to Alexandria Bay
On an approximate 20‑mile course between Clayton and Alexandria Bay the guide narrates a focused two‑hour journey that may include close approaches to freighters transiting the Seaway and multiple named island stops.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who gets the most out of this short, narrated island cruise.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The outing is a two‑hour daily summer cruise (2026 schedule lists June 19 – September 7 with a 2:30pm daily departure during that period).
Board at Clayton Island Tours, 39611 Chateau Lane, Clayton, NY 13624; the cruise covers roughly 20 miles between Clayton and Alexandria Bay.
The tour is narrated by a guide who points out islands, lighthouses, historic sites and the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping channel throughout the two‑hour passage.
The tour explores the American side of the 1000 Islands from Clayton and does not require a passport for this narrated cruise.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Islands, Lighthouses, and Castle Tour?
The tour runs two hours.
Where do I meet for the cruise?
Boarding is at Clayton Island Tours, 39611 Chateau Lane, Clayton, NY 13624.
Will there be a guide or narration?
Yes — the tour is narrated; a guide points out highlights and shares the area’s history during the cruise.
What sights will we see?
Highlights include Boldt Castle and Yacht House on Heart Island, Rock Island Lighthouse, Sunken Rock Lighthouse, Millionaires Row and other named island landmarks.
Do I need a passport to take this tour?
No passport is required to experience this narrated cruise from Clayton on the American side of the 1000 Islands.
Does the tour travel through the shipping channel?
The route follows the St. Lawrence Seaway shipping channel and may include close approaches to freighters as they transit to and from the Great Lakes.