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Guide to Wescott Beach State Park New York

Do you want to plan a visit to Wescott Beach State Park in New York? In this post, you will find everything that you need to know in order to have a great time at the park.

Guide to Wescott Beach State Park in New York

Where is Wescott Beach State Park NY?

Westcott Beach State Park is located in northern New York, also known as North Country. It sits on 318 acres in Jefferson County, New York, Jefferson county, New York, which is named for Thomas Jefferson and is home to Fort Drum.

The park is divided into two sections by NY Route 3, a road that begins near Fulton, New York, passes near Pulaski, runs north to Watertown after passing Wescott Beach State Park, and then cuts east through the Adirondacks.

If you are camping, stay on the left side to check in at the booth

What town is Westcott Beach in?

Westcott Beach is located in Henderson, New York, a small town with a population of about 1300. Henderson is named after William Henderson, a wealthy landowner from New York City.

Directions to Henderson, NY and Wescott Beach State Park

Wescott Beach is easily accessible from Watertown, Fort Drum, Pulaski, Syracuse, Utica, and other nearby locations.

From Syracuse or cities south, the best way to get to the park is to take I-81 north until Exit 42 for NY-177 (South Harbor Road) in Adams Center and take a left to head west in the direction of Lake Ontario. Stay on S. Harbor Road 3.7 miles, turn left on N. Harbor Road and follow for 1.4 miles, turn left onto Smithville Rd for .4 miles, and then turn right onto Ridge Rd for 1.5 miles. Finally, turn left into Westcott Beach State Park.

Westcott Beach State Park is about 30 minutes away from Fort Drum and 25 minutes from Watertown. My preferred way to get to the park from Watertown is by taking Arsenal Street, which also happens to be NY Route 3, west out of town.

Adventurous types from New York City or Westchester who are looking for a fun, peaceful and relaxing stay in nature away from it all will be glad to know that Wescott Beach State Park is only a five hour drive away. Driving through southern New York is also beautiful – an added bonus!

You can click on the following link to open up directions to the park right in Google Maps on your phone or computer:

How much does it cost to get into Wescott Beach at Lake Ontario?

There is an $8 fee per vehicle for day-use access to Westcott Beach during peak season, and a $7 fee per vehicle during off-peak dates. There are higher rates for buses and other commercial vehicles.

Are dogs allowed at Wescott Beach?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Westcott Beach State park, but not on the beach, as long as they are on a leash. It is recommended to bring proof of rabies vaccination, since park authorities could request it.

What is there to do at Wescott Beach State Park in NY?

There are so many picnic tables at this park – the most I’ve ever seen in one place, so there is plenty of room for everyone to enjoy time here

Camping at Wescott Beach State Park

There are three options for staying overnight at Westcott Beach. The most economical is camping at one of the park’s 140+ campsites.

You have two options for camping at the park. There is the larger campground near the beach (called the Triangle Loop) or the small campground at a higher elevation called Plateau Loop Camping.

This is a beautiful view of Lake Ontario at sunset at the swimming area of Wescott Beach State Park

There is plenty to do while camping, including playing basketball on the small court between the campgrounds and the marina.

How much does it cost to camp at Wescott Beach State Park?

Camping at Westcott Beach State Park currently costs about $18 each night, or $126 per week. These rates are accurate as of the 2022 season.

There is an extra fee of $5 per night for campsites rented by non-residents of New York State.

In order to find rates and make a reservation, you should visit the Reserve America site. Click below to visit the site that New York State uses to manage reservations for all of its campsites:

Are there cabins at Wescott Beach State Park?

There are 8 modern, three-bedroom cottages with views of Lake Ontario that you can reserve at Westcott Beach. The cottages are fully furnished (but with no linens or towels) and sleep up to six people.

They have shower stalls and toilets, which makes for a great option for enjoying Westcott Beach State Park in great comfort. However, they are more expensive than tent camping.

As of January, 2022, the cottages could be reserved for $200 per night. In addition, it is important to know that there is a two night minimum stay during the off season, with longer minimum stays applying during peak season.

There are no pets or smoking allowed in the cottages.

These cottages are very popular and fill up fast. To learn more details about the cottages and make your reservation, you can visit the Reserve America site:

One of the best things about the location of the cottages is the location. They sit in an elevated, wooded area with a beautiful view of the lake,

Is there hiking at Westcott Beach State Park?

Yes, there are four relatively short hiking trails at Westcott Beach State Park. The trails range in length from .3 to 1.3 miles.

  • Blue Trail .75 miles
  • Orange Trail 1.3 miles
  • Red Trail .3 miles
  • Yellow Trail .85 miles

You can access the trail map, which includes a map of the entire park with campsites, etc by clicking here: Map of Wescott Beach State Park

Swimming at Wescott Beach State Park NY

Swimming is one of the most popular activities at Westcott Beach in Henderson, NY. The park has lifeguards on duty when conditions are safe for swimming in the lake, and allows swimming during specified hours.

The main swimming beach is located right by the picnic area and playground, which makes for a really fun family-oriented day at the park.

Can you swim in Lake Ontario at Wescott Beach?

There are two swimming areas at this park, and both are on the beach directly on the lake. You can swim in Lake Ontario at Wescott Beach State Park, as long as there is a lifeguard on duty.

According to the park description, swimming is prohibited when there is no lifeguard. Even though Lake Ontario the smallest of the great lakes by surface area, it is a massive body of water with the potential for dangerous currents and waves.

The most popular beach at Westcott Beach is located by the main parking and picnic area. There is a second beach and swimming area in the campground.

These beaches get crowded, especially during the warmest months.

This is the view of the bathrooms near the beach – photograph was taken from the boat launch parking area

There is easy access to the swimming beach from the marina parking lot, or you can park in the very large parking lot near the picnic and playground area.

Is there a pool at Wescott Beach State Park?

There is no pool at Westcott Beach State Park. The closest state park with a public swimming pool is Keewaydin State Park in Alexandria Bay, NY, an approximately 47 minute drive northeast from Westcott Beach.

Wescott Beach State Park Boat Launch

There is a large improved boat launch and a small marina with ample parking at Wescott Beach State Park. Docking fees start at $7, with additional fees applying during based on dates of use, residency, and how long you will be docking your boat.

There are no services offered at the marina.

Things to do near Wescott Beach State Park

Wescott Beach State Park has many great activities available right onsite, but there are also fun outdoor activities available to do at other places nearby.

Outdoor fun near Wescott Beach includes:

  • Bedford Creek Golf Course
  • Black Pond Wildlife Management Area
  • Southwick Beach State Park
  • Lakeview Wildlife Management Area
  • South Sandy Creek Fishing – popular for salmon fishing in the fall!

If you are looking for indoor activities to get a break from the sun, Watertown (15-20 minutes away) has a mall and movie theater.

Places to eat in Henderson, New York

The closest restaurant to Westcott Beach State Park is Papa Tino’s Pizzeria II. It’s a 1 minute drive – super close!

There are several other places to eat or get a snack (like ice cream!) within a few minutes’ drive from the park entrance. If you click on the restaurant name below, it will open up directions in Google Maps.

If you are interested in eating out at major chain restaurants, you will find a variety of places to eat in the city of Watertown. Watertown is a short 15-20 minute drive north on NY Route 3.

Where to buy groceries near Wescott Beach State Park

There are several grocery stores within driving distance from Wescott Beach. You never know what you will need while camping or visiting for the day, and so the following list will help you if you need to pick up a few things.

If you click on the name of any of the grocery stores listed, Google Maps will open up so you can quickly get directions to the store from your location.

Can you visit Wescott Beach State Park in the winter?

Yes, Wescott Beach State Park is open in winter. The hiking trails that are popular in the spring, summer, and fall, become fun for those who love to snowshoe and cross-country ski.

This park was one of the first places that we visited when we first moved to North Country. My son still loves to walk along the shore of Lake Ontario looking for small shells, crabs, and other interesting lake items.

Our first visit was towards the end of winter after some of the snow had begun to melt. While it was fun to walk in the park, it was very windy and cold, so be sure to dress for it, even on “warmer” days.

In North Country, those warmer days don’t arrive usually until May.

History of Westcott Beach State Park in New York

The park was created July 1, 1946 and opened in June, 1950. New York’s governor at the time, Thomas E. Dewey, attended the opening. Wescott Beach State Park was one of many state parks that were opened during this time period of growth in outdoor recreational opportunities in New York.

By the middle of the 1950s, newspapers across the state were advertising public and private camping and other recreational activities in northern New York State. It was especially popular for people from the Rochester area to camp, hunt, and fish in North Country during this time.

Despite the popularity of the area, North Country is still New York’s best kept secret. It is not nearly as crowded, even during peak season, as many other parts of the state.

How Wescott Beach State Park got its name

Wescott Beach State park is named for the Wescott family, with a long history in Jefferson County, that previously owned the property on both sides of NY Route 3 where the park sits. The property was sold to the state in 1949.

Conclusion

I hope that this post has helped you learn everything that you need to know to plan your trip to Wescott Beach State Park and enjoy yourself while you are there. It’s a great park with lots to offer!

If you have any questions about something that you read in this post, or if you would like to add a suggestion about something that I missed, please join in the discussion below.

Thanks for reading today!

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