Members-only access to Sugar Island

Sugar Island brochure photo

A Brief History...

In 1880, Nathaniel Holmes Bishop sent out a brief letter inviting passionate paddlers to convene, and thus the American Canoe Association was born.  In 1901, the ACA acquired Sugar Island, a small island on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River.  Today, Sugar Island is still the location of annual summer encampments open to all ACA members.

Paddling at Sugar Island

Sugar Island is an ideal family camping and canoe-kayak base located near the border of Canada and New York, 100 miles north of Syracuse, New York.


This primitive island has been popular with paddlers since the turn of the century!  If you enjoy rustic camping in an isolated and pristine environment, breathing clean air and paddling in crystal clear water, a stay at Sugar Island may be just the place for you.  Plan ahead for next summer and find out more about Sugar Island now.