Swimming and Boathouse will open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day 2025!
The Park Remains Open, Year-Round. Hours: 8:00am-Dusk!
Nathaniel Cole Park is named after a Revolutionary War veteran who settled with his family in 1795 in an area that eventually came to be called Cole's Hill. Together with his son, Nathaniel Cole, Jr., he built a tavern on the corner of what is now Colesville Road and Watrous Road. The tavern, in operation as early as 1800, became a stopping place for the stage coach enroute from Binghamton to Albany. Part of the land once owned by Nathaniel Cole now comprises the Broome County Park that bears his name.
Cole Park has a beautiful 53-acre lake, the largest protected beach in the county system. A 1.25 mile trail encircles the lake. Two picnic areas, four picnic shelters, playgrounds boat rentals, great fishing and more make Nathaniel Cole one of our finest parks. A concession stand sells hot dogs, beverages, candy, ice cream, bagged ice and more, Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Nathaniel Cole Park is a participant in the Broome County Hiking Challenge program and in the Wegman's "Passport to Family Wellness" program.
Organized Youth Groups may request a permit to use the park's Youth Group Camping Area for rustic camping. (Call 607.778.2193 at least one week in advance.)
Facilities
- Picnicking
- Open and shaded areas
- Tables and grills
- Water taps and fountains
- Restrooms
- Sand Volleyball
- Playground
- Horseshoe pits
- Disc Golf Course-18/36-hole Disc Golf Course- Open daily. Free to play.
- Four picnic shelters, 100 person capacity, available by reservation online (www.reserveamerica.com) - For information, call 607.778.2193. Shelter rental rates are $100.00 on weekends/holidays, with a reduced rate of $30.00 on non-holiday weekdays. A $5 transaction fee is applied to all reservations.
- Food concession Friday-Sunday 11:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Labor Day
Swimming: Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day
- Sand beach; 11:00 a.m.- 7:30 p.m. (hours may vary)
- Certified lifeguards
- Changing areas with showers and restrooms
- Coin operated lockers
- For more information about swimming CLICK HERE
Boating
- No private boats are allowed on Nathaniel Cole Lake. (Private boats may be launched at Dorchester Park or Grippen Park)
- Rental boats are available from Monday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (hours may vary).
- Note: Last boat rental is at 6:30 p.m.
- Boat rentals are cash only.
Boat Rentals
| Boat | Deposit | Per Hour | Per Day |
| Rowboats/Canoes | $20.00 | $5.00 | $20.00 |
| Paddle Boats/Kayaks | $20.00 | $8.00 | N/A |
| *Senior Citizen(age 60+) /Veteran (*Rowboats & Canoes ONLY*) | $20.00 | $3.00 | $10.00 |
Veterans must present the Broome County Veteran ID card to receive discount.
All boat rentals are cash only
For more information about boating CLICK HERE
Fishing
- Fish for small mouth bass and panfish from the shore or from rented boats
Self-Guided Nature Trail
- Circle the lake on 1.5 miles of scenic trail that offers beautiful views of the lake.
- Participant in the Wegman's "Passport to Family Wellness" program
- Nathaniel Cole Park Brochure/Trail Map
Youth Group Camping
- Group camping, by organized youth groups, (e.g. church youth groups, schools, YMCA, YWCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts) is permitted.
- Groups must secure a permit at least one week prior to the date requested.
- Please call 607.778.2193 to request additional information or a permit. Please call at least one week prior to your planned arrival date.
Events
Broome County Parks Beach Bash Presented By Visions Federal Credit Union
Click below for more about Nathaniel Cole Park and what it has to offer. View maps of the park layout and the lake area, with depths, fish species present, and more.
Nathaniel Cole Park Brochure/Trail Map
For more information, call 607.693.1389
