Wellesley Island State Park at a glance
Wellesley Island State Park is open all year. Its camping, boat launch and boat rentals run for a season, and the swimming beach for a shorter one. The park also has cabins and cottages and a nature center with trails.
Wellesley Island is also home to the Boldt Yacht House, part of the Boldt Castle story. If you came for the castles, read the Boldt Castle guide. If you want more time on the water, see Thousand Islands boat tours.
Wellesley Island State Park: seasons and fees
2026 dates and rates.
| What | 2026 dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Park and trails | All year, trails daily sunrise to sunset | – |
| Day use, peak season | – | $7 per vehicle |
| Camping, boat launch, boat rentals | May 1 to October 11 | Campsites $18 to $33 per night; $5 per night extra for non-NYS residents |
| Swimming | June 29 to September 7, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. | – |
| Cabins 1 to 4 and 9 | April 24 to November 21 | – |
| Some other cabins and cottages | All year | – |
Some camping areas open for a shorter stretch than the dates above, and a season date does not mean a free campsite. For most visitors, a day-use visit with a trail walk is the simplest plan; choose camping or a cabin if you want to stay overnight, and reserve early.
Our pick: the Yacht House by boat
The Boldt Yacht House stands on Wellesley Island, and only the 5-hour option of this Rockport cruise includes its admission.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours and day trips around Wellesley Island
Boat tours, castle visits and river cruises in the Thousand Islands, with live prices and open seats.
Camping and cabins
How to book a night in the park.
Reserve ahead
Campsites can be reserved up to 9 months in advance. That is the booking window, not a rule that every night must be booked.
Camping season
In 2026 camping ran from May 1 to October 11. The next season starts in the spring, so plan a camping trip for the warm months.
Cabins and cottages
Some cabins and cottages stay available all year. Cabins 1 to 4 and 9 follow the April 24 to November 21 calendar for 2026.
Pets
A maximum of two pets are allowed in permitted camping and day-use areas, supervised, on a leash or in a crate of no more than 6 feet (about 1.83 m). Pets cannot enter guarded beaches or buildings. Service animals are exempt.
Minna Anthony Common Nature Center
Trails every day, a visitor building on a schedule.
The nature center's 8 miles of trails are open every day of the year from sunrise to sunset. The building has main-season hours from the first Friday in May to Columbus and Indigenous Peoples Day: Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday to Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. In the off-season, the building keeps shorter hours that vary by weekday, and it is closed on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Check the current weekly schedule before a winter visit.
Swimming is allowed only at designated areas with lifeguards. A season date does not rule out a closure on a given day, so look at the posted notices when you arrive.
The Boldt Yacht House
Historic wooden boats on Wellesley Island.
The Boldt Yacht House is on Wellesley Island, and a free shuttle runs there from Heart Island. That shuttle does not replace the paid trip from the mainland, so you still need a boat to reach Heart Island first. The Yacht House shows historic wooden boats, some from the Boldt fleet, and the steam yacht Kestrel, in cooperation with the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton.
Admission in 2026 is $8.50 for adults and $6 for children, or $17 and $10 for a combined ticket with the castle. Children up to 4 are free. Castle and Yacht House tickets are separate from the boat fare.
Wellesley Island: frequently asked questions
When can I camp at Wellesley Island State Park?
In 2026, camping ran from May 1 to October 11. Some individual camping areas open for a shorter period. Reservations can be made up to 9 months ahead.
When can I swim?
The 2026 swimming season runs from June 29 to September 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., at designated areas with lifeguards.
How much does it cost?
Day use at peak season is $7 per vehicle. Campsites cost $18 to $33 per night, and non-NYS residents pay $5 more per night (2026).
Are the trails open in winter?
Yes. The nature center's 8 miles of trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset all year. The building has shorter off-season hours, so check the schedule.
Is this the official park website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not connected to the state park, the nature center or any tour operator.