Westcott Beach State Park
Henderson, New York · on Lake Ontario · Westcott Beach State Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $8 per vehicle
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Westcott Beach State Park
Westcott Beach State Park is a 318-acre New York State Park on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario in the Town of Henderson, Jefferson County, near Watertown. It has an official, fee-based sandy swimming beach with posted seasonal swim hours, giving visitors a sandy swimming hole and a big lake to swim in, alongside camping, cottages, and a marina.
The park sits at the eastern end of Lake Ontario in the Thousand Islands region of Jefferson County, New York, along Route 3 in the Town of Henderson. It spans 318 acres and includes waterfront, wooded camping areas, and a marina on the lakeshore.
Swimming at Westcott Beach State Park
The park's main beach is an official, staffed swimming area on Lake Ontario with posted hours (11am-7pm) during the designated summer swim season (June 19-September 6, 2026), suggesting a supervised, family-oriented lake beach rather than an informal or remote swimming spot.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located on Route 3 in Henderson, NY (Jefferson County), on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario near Watertown.
The hike in
This is a drive-up/walk-up park swim beach, not a hike-in spot; the park separately offers its own hiking trails (also used for cross-country skiing/snowshoeing) but none of them lead to or are required to reach the swim beach, which is a short walk from the day-use parking area.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Official, staffed sandy swimming beach on Lake Ontario with posted swim hours (11am-7pm) during the designated season, which at NY State Parks beaches corresponds to lifeguard-supervised hours; gradual sandy lake-beach entry is generally easy for kids, though open Great Lake water can have wind chop/cooler temps some days.
Parking
Paid, $8 per vehicle (peak season day-use fee, first weekend in May through Columbus Day)
Day-use vehicle fee is charged at the park entrance; the official site does not specify whether the swim-beach lot is a single large lot or multiple lots, so exact layout is unconfirmed.
Restrooms
Yes
Official park amenities list includes showers, indicating an on-site bathhouse at the day-use/swim beach area; exact restroom locations are not itemized on the official site.
Hours
Main beach swimming hours 11am-7pm during the posted 2026 swim season (June 19-Sept 6); boat launch open dawn to dusk year-round; park itself is open all year for camping/day use outside the swim season.
On the water
Restrictions: Watercraft launch from the separate Westcott Beach boat launch/marina (open dawn to dusk, $8 day-use launch fee, $19 overnight dockage), not from the designated swim beach itself; no evidence of watercraft being permitted within the roped swim area.
Two additional park-system launch sites (Chaumont, Stoney Creek) operate under the same fee schedule but are separate facilities, not part of this beach.
Backstory
Westcott Beach State Park was officially established on July 1, 1946, and is managed year-round by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. It recorded 127,115 visitors in 2014.
Westcott Beach State Park: FAQ
Does Westcott Beach State Park charge a fee?
$8 per vehicle day-use fee during peak season (per parks.ny.gov); camping $18-$31/night depending on site, with a $5/night surcharge for non-NY residents; cottages $200/night off-peak or $1,400/week peak; boat launch $8 day-use, dockage $19 overnight (prime); bus entry $35/day; pavilion rentals $100-$150.
Is Westcott Beach State Park kid friendly?
Official, staffed sandy swimming beach on Lake Ontario with posted swim hours (11am-7pm) during the designated season, which at NY State Parks beaches corresponds to lifeguard-supervised hours; gradual sandy lake-beach entry is generally easy for kids, though open Great Lake water can have wind chop/cooler temps some days.
Do I need to hike to reach Westcott Beach State Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Westcott Beach State Park?
Day-use vehicle fee is charged at the park entrance; the official site does not specify whether the swim-beach lot is a single large lot or multiple lots, so exact layout is unconfirmed.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Westcott Beach State Park?
Two additional park-system launch sites (Chaumont, Stoney Creek) operate under the same fee schedule but are separate facilities, not part of this beach.
When is the best time to visit Westcott Beach State Park?
Summer, aligning with the posted swim season of approximately June 19 through September 6.
What are the rules at Westcott Beach State Park?
Swimming at the main beach is limited to posted hours (11am-7pm) within the official swim season (June 19-Sept 6, 2026). Pets are allowed (max two) in campsites/day-use areas on a leash of 6 feet or less, or crated, but are prohibited on beaches, playgrounds, and in buildings.
What water body is Westcott Beach State Park on?
Westcott Beach State Park is on Lake Ontario, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
