One of the main attractions of Wellesley Island State Park is the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center.  The Nature Center includes a museum, varied habitats such as wooded wetlands, 3 miles of St Lawrence River shoreline and open granite outcrops.  The area has nearly ten miles of trails for hiking, cross-country skiing and nature education.  The hiking trails are well marked and easy to follow.  Most trail junctions are signed.  The Nature Center provides educational and recreational programs for all ages.

One special feature at the nature center is the 1/4 mile handicapped trail that includes access to picnic tables and the seasonal butterfly house.  The numerous hiking trails allow for loop hikes of the distance you choose with many of the trails starting from the Nature Center.  We have included a favorite or ours, the easy 3.5 mile Wellesley Island State Park Loop Hike.  However, study the Park Trail Map and choose your own hiking adventure at this park.

This state park has the largest camping complex in the Thousand Islands region. Some of the sites include twelve secluded wilderness sites nestled along the banks of the St. Lawrence River that are accessible only by foot or boat. Within this rustic paradise, fishing is excellent. To accommodate boaters, the park has a full service marina and four boat launches.

For the less rugged camper, there are regular tent/trailer sites as well as a cabin colony.  Outside each vacation rental, a picnic table and ground grill are provided.  A sandy beach on the river offers great swimming and sunbathing and there is a recreation barn and 9-hole golf course on the Island.  Check out the NY State Park website for more information on this very popular state park. 

Look below for pictures, video and a map to help you plan your hiking adventure at Wellesley Island State Park.

View from one of the rental cabins located in the park

Directions

• I-81 to exit 51, (across the Thousand Islands International Bridge) cross the bridge ($2.50 toll as of Nov 2010) to park entrance.  This park charges a $7 entry fee during peak season, usually late May to Labor Day.  Expect to pay $9.50 to visit this state park with the combined fees.

Pictures from Wellesley Island State Park

Trail Junction Signs mark each trail junction at Wellesley Island State Park.	Eel Bay Trail At Wellesley Island State Park.	Rocky section Along the Eel Bay Trail.	Little & Big Gull Island Along Eel Bay Trail in Wellesley Island State Park.	Mosquito Island With Little & Big Gull Island in background along Eel Bay Trail.
Big Rock Along Eel Bay Trail.	The Narrows At the start of the Narrows Trail in Wellesley Island State Park.	View from Overlook Notice the "Blimp". View looking across into Canada.	The Narrows Another view of the Narrows from the Narrows Trail in Wellesley Island State Park.	South Bay View at the South Bay/Narrows Trail junction in Wellesley Island State Park.
Sign The sign for the start/end of these trails.	East Trail View from the East Trail in Wellesley Island State Park.	Jumble of Boulders Along East Trail in Wellesley Island State Park.	Beaver Area The beaver area after the bridge. You need to turn left at this point and not cross into this area (the boardwalk looks like it's ready to rot away).	Bridge The bridge over the Beaver Area (boggy area) along the East Trail in Wellesley Island State Park.
Beaver Area Another view into the beaver area in Wellesley Island State Park.	View from overlook	view of the river	view from along one of the trails	St Lawrence River
St Lawrence River near Potholers	Pond along the Middle Trail	Cabin #9	Campsites	Campsite near river

Wellesley Island State Park Loop Hike

CNY Hiking HOME PAGE

contact CNY HIKING by email at contact@cnyhiking.com

(c) 2006-today CNY Hiking - All rights reserved.  Any use of information from this site without permission is strictly forbidden.