No night caching, the parking area closes at 10PM. The Border Patrol might not like seeing lights down here at night. While a canoe is not required to reach this cache, you could launch one here.
Grand Island has been owned by several groups in it's history. The French missionaries came here in the 17th Century found peacefu;l Indians living on the island and called them the Neutre Nation due to them trying to remain neutral though surrounded by hostile tribes. By 1651 the Senecas had wiped out the Neutre Nation and used the island as a hunting ground but did not have a permanent village on the island. During the early part of the 18th Century French traders are believed to have visited the island to hunt for furs. During the French and Indian wars the French used the Island as a staging area. While the main force continued on to attempt to relieve Fort Niagara a troop of 150 remained on Grand Island to guard the boats that had been left here when the troops sailed from Detroit. The reinforcement failed and the returning troops were to few to man all the boats so the French burned them at Burnt Boat Creek to keep the British from having them. When the British were driven out of the area the Iroquois claimed the island and in 1815 New York purchased the island for $1000. In 1822, the boundry survey determined the west channel was deeper so seperated the U.S. and Canada. All the islands in the Upper Niagara, other than Navy Island, became US property. Since 1817 there has been some level of settlers on the island. These hardy individuals had to ferry across as there was no bridge built until 1935 though many attempts were made to get one through the Legislature. So now you can launch your canoe or kayak from near this cache and relive the spirit of these early settlers and explore the area by boat. The map makes it look like the cache is in the river but the coordinates took my wife right to it on dry land. Bug spray highly recommended :). As usual there is an easy route and hard route(s). Please look around for the easy access to avoid damaging yourself or the brush that lines the nearby bike path. Park Permit # 2016-1 expires 7-12-18