List of Hudson River islands facts for kids

The Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island viewed from atop Breakneck Ridge

The Hudson River flows through New York and New Jersey. This famous river is home to many islands. Some islands are still separate land masses. Others have been connected to the mainland over time. This means they are no longer surrounded by water on all sides. Even some islands that are now part of the shore are still shown on old maps.

Exploring the Hudson River's Islands

A view of Iona Island

Manhattan in 1873. The Brooklyn Bridge was being built then.

The former Van Rensselaer Island with Albany in the distance, around 1825.

The Hudson River has a rich history with its islands. Some islands have changed a lot over the years. They might have been filled in to create more land. Others are still natural and wild. This section lists some of the islands you can find or learn about in the Hudson River.

Islands You Can Still See Today

• Adams Island: This island is in Troy, New York. The Hudson River flows on both sides of it. A bridge called the Collar City Bridge crosses its southern tip.
• Center Island: Located in Green Island, New York, this island also has the Hudson River on both sides. It used to be called Magills Island or Starbucks Island. The Green Island Bridge connects it to Troy.
• Constitution Island: This island is famous for its role in the American Revolutionary War. It helped protect the Hudson River.
• Cow Island: A smaller island in the river.
• Esopus Island: This island is known for its natural beauty. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
• Five Hook Island: Another one of the many smaller islands in the Hudson.
• Iona Island: Found in Stony Point, New York, this island is a special place. It's a National Natural Landmark. It's also a bird sanctuary, especially for Bald Eagles.
• Manhattan: This is one of the most famous islands in the world! It's a borough of New York City. Millions of people live and work here.
• Pollepel Island: This island is known for the cool ruins of Bannerman's Castle. It's a popular tourist spot in the Hudson Valley.
• Schodack Island: Located in Schodack, New York, this island is now a state park. It's a great place to explore nature.
• Stomy Island: This island is in Green Island, New York. The Hudson River surrounds it. It is just north of Center Island.
• Van Schaick Island: This island is in Cohoes, New York. The Hudson River is on one side. A branch of the Mohawk River is on the other. A bridge connects it to Troy.

Islands That Have Changed Over Time

Some islands in the Hudson River are no longer completely surrounded by water. They have been connected to the mainland. This often happened to build roads or expand towns.

• Bear Island: This used to be an island in Bethlehem, New York.
• Beeren Island: This island marked the southern border of an old Dutch land grant called Rensselaerswyck.
• Breaker Island: This was once two islands, Culyer and Hillhouse. It was filled in to build a highway exit. Now, the Hudson River is on one side, and creeks and marshes are on the other.
• Campbell Island: This used to be a large island near Albany. It is now part of a peninsula. It has high ground and a cove.
• Green Island: This island once had a branch of the Mohawk River flowing around it. It was filled in to make way for a highway.
• Lower Patroon Island: This island in Albany, New York was filled in to build highway connections. It is now part of a park. A bridge is named after it.
• Papscanee Island: This is now a peninsula. The Hudson River is on one side, and Papscanee Creek is on the other. It's in Schodack, New York and East Greenbush.
• Park Island: Also called Island Park, this was a former island. It hosted a fair in 1865. It also had a racetrack and a baseball field.
• Schermerhorn Island: This was another former island in Bethlehem, New York.
• Shad Island: This used to be an island in Coeymans, New York.
• Van Rensselaer Island: This was a former island in Rensselaer, New York.
• Westerlo Island: This land in Albany has had many names over the past 400 years. It was called Castle Island and Patroon's Island. Since the late 1800s, it has been known as Westerlo Island.