Watkins Mill State Park

About Watkins Mill State Park

It took Waltus Watkins nearly half a century to build his estate and small community on 3600 acres of land in Watkins Mill State Park. On these 36,000 hectares there are several fruit drying stables for growing fruit, and nearby there is also a brick school building and a church.

Many of the original buildings have been restored and cattle and plants resettled, creating a farm dating back to the 1870s. During the summer months, the Living History Farm Program offers visitors the opportunity to watch families from the 1870s live, at work and at play.

The mill houses some of the still intact machinery, and the visitor centre provides information about the history of the mill and information about the operation and farms. A guided tour of the main building of Watkins Mill State Park offers an insight into the life of a mill worker in the early 19th century. The visitor centre offers access to a variety of activities for children, such as a children's playground.

A little history can be combined with a day of outdoor fun, and Williams Creek Lake offers opportunities for fishing and swimming. The lake runs through Watkins Mill State Park, south of the main entrance to the park, and runs along the river with access to a variety of lakes and ponds.

The picnic area and picnic huts provide a great place to rest and lunch, and Watkins Mill has 96 campsites; 74 have electricity. The park offers a variety of wooded campsites, such as a campground, picnic table or camp, and picnic areas.

The parking cushions vary between 40 and 60 feet, with the electric side having the longest cushion, and parking on the park side is accessible to campers with disabilities. Four parking spaces can be reserved and each pitch has a parking cushion of up to 30 feet and an electric cushion - only one cushion for a total of 40 feet.

In the low season, a coin-operated washing machine and water supply are available to registered campers, but in the low season there are no water facilities.

In low season campers have the possibility to buy wood in the evening, and in low season the payers sell wood on request.

Campsites 35 and 97 are closed from November to March, Campsites 37 and 38 from October to May. Campsite 35 (97) is closed between November and March.

Reservations can be made via the link above for the campsite reservation system or by telephone at 1 - 877 - 422 - 6766. Reservations require a minimum stay of two nights, and campers must arrive before closing the gates. The gates to the campsite close at 10 pm in pre-season and the gates to the campsites close at 11 pm, except for Campsites 35 (97) and 37 (37).

The grounds are divided into five areas, equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, and each area has a toilet and water.

The special purpose areas are located on the east side of the complex and are accessible from Endsley Road. There is no direct access to the cycle path, but groups who wish to reserve a place in the special area can contact us by calling 816 - 580 - 3387.

The moorings are located at Williams Creek Lake near the pier and all boat engines are limited to 10 HP or less.

There are three picnic areas with tables and barbecues, the northern picnic area is right next to the cycle path and the nearby hard court is available for vehicles and trailers. Additional picnic tables for barbecue are located along the cycle path near the beach protection area. Picnic areas are available, served first, and there is a nearby parking lot with parking for up to four vehicles at Williams Creek Lake.

The mill is one of only a handful of intact mills in the state of New York and offers guided tours of the mill and its history.

During the summer months of May to August, the Living History Museum in Waterkins Mill State Park offers visitors an insight into the life of a family in the 1870s. The Visitor Centre informs about the history of the mill and its history, as well as the history of the park and its visitors.

During the summer months, the campsite offers natural history programs, and costumed staff and volunteers return to the park in the form of various activities for children and adults, as well as for the local community.

From I-70, take Exit 8 North to 435 Northbound and then north on Interstate 435 to Interstate 35 Northbound. Head north on I .35 and north on I-35, then south on US 35 until you exit at the Interstate 70 North exit.

The entrance to the park is on the right of Route RA, from east to right onto the highway and from left onto Route RRA.

The entrance to the park is on the right of Route RA, from east to right onto the highway and from left onto Route RRA. From there, I-35 will take you 28 miles south to Route 1, then left onto a highway east and then right onto Route 2.