Wellesley Island State Park
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox park Wellesley Island State Park is a Template:Convert state park<ref name=RIoG_ParkStats/> located on Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence River in the Town of Orleans in Jefferson County, New York. The park is divided into sections that are on different parts of the island. It has the largest camping complex in the Thousand Islands region,<ref name=NYSP_main_WISP/> including wilderness campsites on the banks of the St. Lawrence accessible only by foot or boat. The park is open year-round.
History
The Thousand Island State Park Commission began purchasing farmland on Wellesley Island in 1951, and opened Wellesley Island State Park in 1954. The park was preceded by two other state parks on Wellesley Island, Dewolf Point and Waterson Point, both of which were established in 1898 as part of the St. Lawrence Reservation.<ref name=WISP_comp_info/>
In 2004, Reserve America named Wellesley Island State Park one of the top 100 campgrounds in the nation.
Activities and services
Wellesley Island State Park offers swimming at a life guarded beach, hiking, hunting and fishing, cross-country skiing, biking and recreation programs. The park includes a nature trail, the Minna Anthony Common Nature Center, a marina and three boat launches (power boats permitted), a nine-hole golf course, cabins, camping and a dump station, showers, picnic tables, a playground, and a food concession with attached recreation area.<ref name=NYSP_main_WISP/> Several of the hiking trails overlook Eel Bay. Archery and muzzle loading are allowed in designated areas.