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Where do I want to camp? |
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Tales and Stories |
Sugar Island boasts numerous campsites in the quiet, vast waterways known as The Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. The island is located in the town of Gananoque, Ontario. It is located in an "off channel" quieter section of the river, with relatively little power boat traffic in the surrounding area. Camping is primitive. Outhouses on the island are maintained by the people who use them. You will not find electricity or phones here. Water from the river is cleaner than it has been in years thanks to the introduction of zebra mussels. Use of a water purifier or boiling the water before use is recommended. During the summer months there is a well located at main camp providing fresh cool water. Reservations for campsites during annual encampment are required. At all other times of the year, there are many campsites to choose from, take your pick! All sites on the island have a view of the water, unless of course you choose to migrate into the interior of the island.
A note of caution and the ensuing explanation about campfires and cooking while camping on the island. The use of camp stoves for the preparation of food in preferred. If rain has been sparse, you should plan on using a cook stove for your meals. Campfires on the island must be made and maintained inside of established fire places. Fires should never be left unattended. In dry seasons extra caution must be used with campfires. Fires are a particular hazard on the islands. Fire fighting means buckets and people forming bucket lines. The shallow soil consists of leaves and pine needles and other forest debris. The soil is not highly compacted and makes a wonderful fuel for flying embers to feed on. A fire can travel underground from the source and appear anywhere from 10 feet to 50 yards or more away from where the uncontrolled fire first started. The only effective way to fight this type of fire is with a shovel, to expose the traveling "veins" that are burning underground. Only after you have shoveled all the hot soil, should you use water to fill the ditch. If you use water before you have followed all the "veins" you risk cooling off the exposed ground giving you a false sense that you have found all the buried burning embers. If the fires are not contained, the entire island environment is at risk of being burned to the ground.
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