Wellesley Island State Park Park
Large Thousand Islands park with hiking and shoreline
Largest state park in the Thousand Islands on Wellesley Island, offering waterfront campsites, boat launches, fishing and miles of island shoreline to explore.
Wellesley Island State Park at a Glance#
Address: Wellesley Island, Thousand Islands, NY 13640
Website: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/80
Hours: Daily sunrise-sunset
About Wellesley Island State Park#
Wellesley Island State Park is a New York State park located on Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River, within the Thousand Islands region. It is a riverside recreation area offering camping, trails and shoreline access for boating and fishing.
Facilities include campgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails and boat launches that serve summer boating and angling on the St. Lawrence. The park’s shoreline and wooded interior provide habitat for regional wildlife and opportunities for short hikes and nature observation.
The park was established by the New York State Office of Parks to preserve scenic river shoreline and provide recreational access to the Thousand Islands. Over time facilities for camping and boating were added to serve regional tourism and local outdoor recreation.
Wellesley Island sits in the St. Lawrence River between the U.S. mainland and the Thousand Islands chain; the park is near towns such as Alexandria Bay and Clayton and is accessible from the Thousand Islands Bridge corridor.
- Boating and fishing access: The park provides shoreline access on the St. Lawrence River and boat launches for Thousand Islands boating and fishing.
- Base for Thousand Islands: Camping, hiking and picnic facilities are concentrated on Wellesley Island, making the park a base for exploring the Thousand Islands region by land and water.
How to Get to Wellesley Island State Park#
Wellesley Island is reached by road from Interstate 81. From I‑81 take exit 50 and follow US‑11 west to the Thousand Islands Bridge system; the island is connected via I‑81 and the local island roads. By car it’s about a 5-6 hour drive from New York City. A vehicle is recommended to access campsites and trailheads; seasonal ferries and private boat access are widely used by visitors.
Tips for Visiting Wellesley Island State Park#
- Bring a good insect net in summer - black flies and mosquitoes can be ferocious near the campsites and marshy areas.
- Use the boat launch early in the morning to get onto the St. Lawrence before the afternoon winds pick up.
- Walk the short trails to the river bluffs at dawn for kingfisher sightings and a quiet view of the shipping lanes.
Best Time to Visit Wellesley Island State Park#
Summer is busiest for water activities; late spring and early fall offer calmer crowds and better wildlife viewing.
Weather & Climate near Wellesley Island State Park#
Wellesley Island State Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -13°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (968 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -13° - -3° | -14° | 74 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -12° - -2° | -13° | 63 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -6° - 3° | -7° | 61 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 1° - 10° | 2° | 75 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 7° - 17° | 12° | 79 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 12° - 23° | 17° | 80 mm | - | - | 3.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 15° - 26° | 21° | 74 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 15° - 25° | 20° | 91 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 11° - 20° | 15° | 102 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 5° - 14° | 7° | 87 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 0° - 7° | 0° | 100 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -8° - 1° | -9° | 82 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |
