Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

Hours of Operation

• Park open year round.
• Minna Anthony Common Nature Center: 
  Off-Season (After Columbus Day)  
  Wednesday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  Closed Monday and Tuesday
  *Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving
  
  
  Operating Season (1st Friday in May – Columbus Day) 
  Open 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• 2023 Swimming Season: 6/24 - Late August, 10 am - 6 pm.
• 2023 Boat Dockage & Rentals: 5/5 - 10/9

• 2023 Camping Season: 5/5 - 10/8
  2023 Cabin Season: 

  Available year-round - Cabins 5, 6, 7, 8 & 10 

  Cabins 1, 2, 3, 4, & 9 - 4/28 - 11/25

  Cottages: Available year-round.

  
  *Please note that this park offers RV camping, tent camping and full service cottages, which within the camping season time frame, may open later or close earlier. For more details, please call the park or visit http://www.newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
  
  Registration Bldg. Hours for 2023 season:
  5/5 - 6/22: 8AM to 4PM (8am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday)
  6/23 - 9/3: 8AM to 9PM
  9/4 - 10/9: 8AM to 4PM (8am to 9pm on Friday and Saturday)
  

• Trails are open year round from sunrise to sunset. Hunting for deer, turkey and waterfowl are permitted in season by permit only. Please contact park for more information.
• Shelter Reservations (1): 5/5 - 10/9 (Permits may be required - inquire at Park Office)

Fees & Rates

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee to enter the facility. Fees vary by location and season. A list of entry fees and other park use fees is available below. For fees not listed or to verify information, please contact the park directly.

The easy-to-use Empire Pass card is $80- and your key to all-season enjoyment with unlimited day-use entry at most facilities operated by State Parks and the State Dept. of Environmental Conservation including forests, beaches, trails and more. Purchase online or contact your favorite park for more information. Learn more about our Admission Programs including the Empire Pass.

• Beach

• Day Use (Peak) $7
  
  Bus Use (Daily)
  Commercial $75
  Non Profit $35
  
  Toll Booth Hours for 2023 season:
  5/5 - 6/22: 7:30AM to 4PM; (6:30AM to 8:30 PM Thurs, Fri, Sat)
  6/23 - 9/3: 6:30AM to 8:30PM
  9/4 - 10/9: 7:30AM to 4PM (6:30AM to 8:30 PM Thurs, Fri, Sat)

• Boat Dockage

• Campers $12
  Day Use $7
  Overnight (No Elec) $19 (prime)
  
  Surcharges
  Weekend/Hol $4
  Out-of-State $5
  Pumpout $5

• Boat Rental

• 14 foot / 15 HP/ 4 person/ 675 lbs. maximum weight (passengers and gear) 
  $25 per hour
  $100 per day
  $400 per week

  
  16 foot / 20 HP/ 6 person/ 780 lbs. maximum weight (passengers and gear) 
  $35 per hour
  $150 per day
  $600 per week

• Camping
• Campsites:
  $18-$33/night*
  
  *Additional $5/night for non-NYS residents
  
  Cabins:
  Weekly: $294-$322
  Daily: daily rate is 1/4 the weekly charge
  
  Non NYS resident fee:
  Weekly $28
  Daily $7
  
  
• Cottages
• 3 Bedroom Cottages:
  Peak season
  
  $1,000/week or $200/night
  
  Non-Peak season
  $750/week or $187.50/night
  
  
  2 Bedroom Cottages
  Peak Season
  $840/week or $168/night
  
  
  Non-Peak season
  $620/week or $155/night
  
  
  Non NYS resident fee:
  Weekly $28
  Daily $7

Maps

New! Download this park's digital map to your iOS Apple and Android device.

• Wellesley Island State Park Trail Map

Firewood source maps show a 50-mile radius from which untreated firewood may be moved to this campground. For more information see firewood restrictions.

• Firewood Source Map (pdf)

• Wellesley Island Park Map (pdf)
• Marina Map (pdf)
• Google Earth file (kmz)
• Trail Map (pdf)

Highlights of Wellesley Island State Park:

• Wellesley Island State Park has the largest camping complex in the Thousand Islands, which includes wilderness campsites that can only be accessed by foot or boat.

• The Minna Anthony Common Nature Center has nine miles of hiking trails, and 5 miles of cross country ski and snow shoe trails. The nature center is open year round. During the winter months you can visit the fire place to warm up and visit with other explorers. The trails have a diversity of habitat: field, forest, wetlands and views of the Saint Lawrence River.

• Take a trip in our 36 foot long Voyageur Canoe! The canoe travels along the water's edge for a 3 mile paddle while a naturalist points out geological features that make up the Thousand Islands. Voyages are in July and August.
• Wellesley Island, the island Wellesley Island State Park resides on, has an internal body of water called the Lake of the Isles, which nearly doubles the island's waterfront.

• Bald eagles can be spotted in the park.

• Use of Wellesley Island began in 1898, when there was a small settlement and the primary use of the land included crop and dairy farming, and grazing of cattle and sheep. It became a state park in the 1950's when the owner gave the land to the park commission.

• Located in the St. Lawrence River corridor, the natural areas of the park are primarily forest communities and open wetland complexes.

• There are 18 different natural community types within the park, 3 of which are considered significant ecological communities and take up almost half of the acres of community types in the park.

What will you see? Plan your visit today!

Look and listen for these birds at our Park:

• Bald Eagle
• Great Blue Heron
• Osprey
• Pileated Woodpecker
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Turkey Vulture

Everyone is a Steward: Be a Wellesley Island State Park Hero!

• Know the rules and concerns for the area you'll be visiting.
• Leave all natural objects as you find them.
• Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience. Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them. Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Use extra caution when using headphones. You may not be able to hear warnings.
• Don't litter.
• Hike and camp on established, durable trails and campsites.
• Be careful with your fire.

For more information, please read our Trail Tips!

Ask a Naturalist!

Q: What kind of fish are in the St. Lawrence River?

A: If you fish in the St. Lawrence River, you may catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, bullheads or various types of panfish.

Q: What is suitable clothing for the trails?

A: Sneakers, or boots, are appropriate for footwear - no flip flops or high heels. Long pants will protect your legs, and bug spray will help avoid bug bites.

Q: Can strollers be used on the trails?

A: It is not recommended to use strollers on the trails. Most trails are rugged with roots and rocks that stick up. It is recommended to have a back pack for your child.

Q: Can dogs walk on the trails?

A: Yes, as long as they are on a six foot leash and have proof of rabies vaccination.

Q: How do I avoid poison ivy?

A: In order to avoid Poison Ivy, one needs to know what it looks like. If you're not familiar with it, Google it, download a picture and print it out so you can carry it with you. You can catch poison ivy from any part of the plant, so learn how to identify leaves and vines. Poison Ivy is very common and grows throughout the preserve on trees and on the ground. To be on the safe side, don't brush up against or touch vegetation you're not familiar with. If you think you have come in contact with poison ivy, wash that area thoroughly with a product like Technu, which washes the poison ivy oils away.

Q: What should I do if I see a male deer with antlers?

A: Usually deer are more afraid of us than we are them. However, if it's the rutting season, male deer can be more aggressive and territorial because they're vying for mating privileges with does. Don't panic. Stop. Slowly back away and if possible, return the same way you came. If the deer snorts and starts toward you, get behind the largest tree you can and summon help as soon as possible.

Did You Know?

- DID YOU KNOW? You can tell a male and female monarch butterfly apart by looking at the hind wing. If there is a bulb on the back of the hind wing, the butterfly is a male. You can get a closer look at the monarch butterfly at our seasonal Butterfly House. The house is open July and August.

- CHECK IT OUT! Beavers have forever-growing teeth. They need their teeth to continuously grow to be able to gnaw and chew trees. They use trees to build homes (lodges), build dams, and gather food. Beaver activity can be found in east trail wetlands.

• Archery hunting, in designated areas, by permit only. Beginning October 1st. Please contact the park for more information.