Fishing, paddling, and hiking pull campers to Wellesley Island State Park Campground throughout its May-to-October season, with the St. Lawrence River as the backdrop for nearly every activity on offer. The park sits on Wellesley Island in the Thousand Islands region of northern New York, and the water is never far away. Boat rentals are available at two locations on the island, there's a dedicated ADA kayak launch into Eel Bay, and a marina with a boat ramp handles those arriving with their own vessels. The Eel Bay trail, which passes glacial potholes along the shoreline, draws consistent praise from hikers, and the park's nature center organizes weekend hikes even into the off-season.
Site quality here varies considerably depending on where you land. Reviewers describe the C loop as offering shade, flat driveways, and electric hookups, while many other loops with electric are described as wide open with little tree cover or privacy. Waterfront sites go fast. "Very spacious and private," notes Erin B. of site Bluejay 3, though she arrived to find most waterfront spots already reserved days out. Campers who prefer a quieter, more secluded feel consistently recommend spending time with the site map before booking through the reservation system, steering toward sites closer to the water and away from the main RV loops.
The campground is large, with more than 200 sites spanning tent-only spots, electric and water hookups, full hookups with sewer, and rental cottages and cabins. RVs up to 40 feet are accommodated. A camp store stocks firewood, ice, and supplies; there's also a beach, playground, laundromat, and arcade, though some of those facilities close before the end of the season. Raccoons are reportedly bold, so securing food is worth taking seriously.
Crowding is a real consideration, especially on holiday weekends when Canadian visitors add to the volume. One reviewer noted the contrast between this campground's density and more remote backcountry settings, describing the atmosphere as decidedly social rather than remote. Alexandria Bay, roughly 10 miles away, provides restaurants, shops, and boat tours to Boldt Castle. Nearby, Dewolf Point State Park Campground and Grass Point State Park Campground give anglers and paddlers additional bases to explore the same stretch of river. Reservations are strongly recommended, and those with flexibility to arrive just before or after peak weekends will find the loops noticeably less crowded.
Description
<font color="red">LOOP/SITE CLOSURE NOTICE: A road reconstruction project is scheduled for Fall 2023 - Summer 2024. During this time, Loop H (Heron) and the Eel Bay Cottages will be closed to reservations</font>
Wellesley Island State Park has the largest camping complex in the Thousand Islands region. Secluded wilderness sites nestled along the banks of the St. Lawrence River are accessible only by foot or boat. Within this rustic paradise, fishing is excellent--particularly for muskie in autumn. To accommodate boaters, the park has a full service marina and four boat launches. A sandy beach on the river offers great swimming and sunbathing and there is a camp store, laundromat, arcade, and 9-hole golf course on the Island. One of the main attractions of the park is the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, which includes educational exhibits, varied habitats such as wooded wetlands, 10 miles of shoreline and open granite outcrops, and miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and nature education. The Nature Center provides educational and recreational programs for all ages.
<font color="red">LOOP/SITE CLOSURE NOTICE: A road reconstruction project is scheduled for Fall 2023 - Summer 2024. During this time, Loop H (Heron) and the Eel Bay Cottages will be closed to reservations</font>
Park Rules & Information:
Park office hours from Labor Day until mid June are 8AM - 4PM, Mon - Fri. Please call the park for nights/weekends procedure. (315) 482-2722.
CAMPSITES
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Each site allows for 2 tents or 1 RV and a small tent, unless otherwise noted.
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Loop F does not have a bathhouse. The primary camping unit MUST have sewage hookup.
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Loop C offers electric hookups, there are NO water or sewer hookups. CABINS/COTTAGES - A security deposit is required upon arrival for cabin and cottage stays.
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Pets are NOT permitted in Eel Bay Cottages.
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Smoking is NOT permitted in cabins or cottages.
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MARINA
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Reservations for <u>transient dock slip rentals</u> can now be made through the call center at 1-800-456-2267.
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Reservations for boat rentals must still be made through the marina office at (315) 482-6503, starting when the marina opens, the first Friday in May.
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ALL inquiries about seasonal dock slip rentals should be directed to the main park office at (315) 482-2722.
<font color="red"><b>ATTENTION PET OWNERS:</b></font>
- Current proof of rabies inoculation is required at check-in (metal tags will not be accepted).
- At any time during your stay, pet owners may be required to provide proof of rabies inoculation upon request. Be sure to have this information available to present to park staff.
- Where pets are permitted, there is a maximum limit of 2 pets per site.
- Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6ft and under control at all times.
- Do not leave pets unattended and always clean up after them.
- Pet owners/permit holders are liable for any damage, personal injury, or nuisance caused by the pet.
- There are no pets allowed in the cottages.
- It is preferred that sites within designated pet loops are chosen when using Service animals. They will be allowed elsewhere when these sites are not available or practical.
SWIMMING: Each year the campground makes every effort to provide safe swimming opportunities by testing the water and by keeping the swimming areas staffed with lifeguards. Please be aware that if the safety of our swimmers is compromised due to lack of lifeguard coverage or water quality issues, swimming will be prohibited. Swimming cannot be a guaranteed activity; therefore, we cannot offer refunds on camping stays. We apologize for this inconvenience as it may occur with little advance notice.
Looking to reserve a campsite for just 1 night? If you make your reservation within 3 days of your arrival you can book a 1-night stay online or through the RA Call Center (1-800-456-2267). *Applies to campsites only.
PRE-REGISTRATION: Have an existing reservation? Don't forget to PRE-REGISTER!! Two days prior to arrival you can sign into Reserve America and pre-register. IT SAVES TIME.
LENGTH OF STAY: A camping party and their equipment may occupy a site for a maximum of 14 continuous nights. After which, the camping party and equipment must leave the site and facility for 48 hours before registering again for another site.
Please Note: To ensure fairness for all NY customers, any reservation with departure dates outside the 9-month Maximum Window cannot be changed or cancelled until 18 days after the reservation was made.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
New York State Park Campgrounds: Same-day reservations are allowed until 3 p.m. on day of arrival; this applies to campsites only. Reservations can be made online or through the ReserveAmerica Call Center: 1-800-456-2267. Walk-ins are permitted on campsites only.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsWellesley Island State Park Campground is located in New York near Thousand Island Park
Directions
Take Route 81 to the Thousand Islands International Bridge, cross the bridge (toll required), then take Exit 51 and following the signs to the park entrance.
Address
44927 CROSS ISLAND RD.
Fineview, NY 13640
Coordinates
44.3160002 N
76.01900055 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
Verizon5GExcellent Coverage
AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- Verizon5GExcellent Coverage
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 28 min from Watertown, NY
- 1 hr 24 min from Syracuse, NY
- 1 hr 54 min from Utica, NY
- 2 hrs 34 min from Rochester, NY
