Affiliate Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if readers clicks through and make a purchase. See Affiliate Disclosure here.

New York Is Home To The Smallest Inhabited Island In The World

What if I told you there’s an island so small, it can barely fit a house—and yet, it’s technically a home? 

Yep, it’s real, and it’s not some far-off tropical spot you’ve never heard of. 

It’s right here in New York! 

This tiny speck of land has just enough space for a few trees, a house, and not much else.

Ready to find out more? 

Let’s get into it—because this island is definitely not what you’d expect!

Where Is It?

Just Room Enough Island is located in the Saint Lawrence River, right on the border between New York and Canada. 

It’s part of the Thousand Islands which is a chain of 1,864 islands scattered along the river. 

You’ll find it near Alexandria Bay, about 90 miles north of Syracuse. 

It’s teeny-tiny—like blink-and-you’ll-miss-it tiny—and sits smack in the middle of this gorgeous waterway, surrounded by bigger (but still pretty small) islands. 

It’s one of those spots you have to know about to even notice.

Yortw / Flickr

About

Just Room Enough Island is exactly what it sounds like—a ridiculously small island with just enough space for a single house, a couple of trees, and not much else. 

It’s officially the smallest inhabited island in the world, and when I say “small,” I mean really small—it’s just 3,300 square feet. That’s about the size of a tennis court!

The island was originally called Hub Island before its quirky new name caught on. 

A family named the Sizelands bought it in the 1950s as their private vacation retreat, and yep, they actually built a house on it. 

The home takes up almost the entire island, with barely enough room for a little patch of yard and a few chairs to enjoy the river views.

As far as population? 

Just Room Enough Island only has one family living there, but they actually use it as a summer home so it’s often totally empty. 

MattCC716 / Flickr

It’s wild to think that you can stand in one spot and take in the whole island without moving—because there’s nowhere else to go!

How To See The Island

Here’s the thing about Just Room Enough Island—it’s not the kind of place you casually stop by for a visit. 

Since it’s private property owned by the Sizeland family, you can’t actually set foot on it without trespassing. 

BUT, don’t worry, there are still a couple of fun ways to experience this quirky little island without trespassing.

The best way to see it is by hopping on one of the many boat tours that cruise through the Thousand Islands region. 

Patrick Kinney / Flickr

These tours will take you right past the island, and the guides love to share stories about its history, its tiny size, and its “smallest inhabited island” status.

A few popular tour companies include Uncle Sam Boat Tours in Alexandria Bay and Clayton Island Tours, which both offer trips with great views of the island.

If you’re more of a DIY explorer, you can also kayak or paddleboard past the island. 

This gives you an up-close perspective of how truly tiny it is. 

*BetüL* / Flickr

Keep in mind, the currents in the Saint Lawrence River can be a little tricky, so stick close to the shore and always wear a life jacket. 

You can rent kayaks or paddleboards in Alexandria Bay, which is a short distance from the island.

While you’re out and about, use the chance to explore some of the other islands in the area. 

Boldt Castle on Heart Island is just a quick boat ride away and is one of the Thousand Islands’ most popular attractions. 

One of the best bits is that you can easily spot Just Room Enough Island from the castle! 

Check out the view in the below image:

like_architecture / Flickr

So while you can’t step foot on Just Room Enough Island, you can totally add it to your list of unique sights while exploring the Thousand Islands. 

It’s a fun little landmark that makes you stop and think, “Wait, someone actually lives there?!

History

The story of Just Room Enough Island starts back in the 1950s when the Sizeland family decided they wanted their own private retreat in the Thousand Islands. 

They stumbled upon this tiny patch of land, then called Hub Island, and bought it as a vacation spot. 

It didn’t take long for them to realize that the island was, well, ridiculously small. 

But instead of letting that stop them, they embraced the challenge. 

They built a cozy little house that, true to the name, left just enough room for a few trees and a narrow strip of land around it.

Duncan Rawlinson – Duncan.co / Flickr

At first, the island was just a personal getaway for the family. 

Over time, though, its reputation grew. 

People were fascinated by its size (or lack of it) and the fact that someone had managed to turn it into a livable space. 

Eventually, it earned its claim to fame as the smallest inhabited island in the world, a title that’s made it a bit of a legend in the Thousand Islands region.

The Sizelands named the island Just Room Enough Island as a kind of joke, but the name stuck—and now, it’s what everyone calls it. 

Just Room Enough Island is proof that even the tiniest of places can make a big impression. 

Whether you spot it from a boat, a kayak, or a paddleboard, this interesting little place is one of those sights you’ll always remember—and it’s definitely a story worth sharing!


Related Posts

Share to...