16 Parks to Visit in the Binghamton Area to Stay Active

Nathaniel Cole Park

Located in the town of Harpursville, the park boasts a 53-acre lake and a 1.25-mile nature trail that borders it. It is also the largest protected beach in the county system.

Dorchester Park

Located in Whitney Point, this beautiful waterside park has a 2-mile walking path and serves as the launching area to a 1,200-acre reservoir. It is also home to the annual Broome County Parks Triathlon.

Greenwood Park

Greenwood has the distinction of being the county’s first park. It offers a relaxing place to picnic in the warmer months and boasts a 6.5-mile nature trail.

Aqua-Terra Wilderness Area

If you’re into sight-seeing and nature-watching, Aqua-Terra is the place for you. Just a 15-minute drive from campus, it offers 466 acres of largely undeveloped natural settings and a 6-acre pond.

Jones Park

Right in the Town of Vestal, this park is located off of NY Rte. 26. It allows for hiking and mountain biking highlighted by hilly trails, some of which crisscross scenic creeks and streams.

IBM Glen Trail

Comprising over 200 acres in Endwell, the Glen was formerly part of the IBM Country Club Site. In the 1940s, Thomas and Jeanette Watson of IBM initiated the construction of the site, which includes a 2-mile round-trip trail where you can take in the site’s trademark waterfall.

Otsiningo Park

You don’t even have to leave the city to find this gem of a park. Just 3 miles from downtown Binghamton, it has easy-to-walk paved trails and multiple places to sit down and read a good book!

Hawkins Pond Nature Area

Looking for a more secluded experience? Hawkins Pond, located in Windsor, has 4 miles of nature trails that frame the 24-acre pond.

Salt Springs Park

An easy drive to Susquehanna County, Salt Springs Park is home to 15 miles of trails and 842 acres of land. The trails will lead you through meadows and marshes, in and out of a gorge, into an old-growth hemlock forest, to a frog pond, and up and down hills.

Nature Preserve

Combining the convenience of being located right on campus and the natural beauty of 182 acres of land, including a 20-acre wetland, the Nature Preserve provides something for everyone. Whether you’re looking to take a quick walk or go on an extensive hike, the Preserve is home to over 200 bird species, diverse habitats, and includes multiple maintained hiking trails.

Chenango Valley State Park

An historic park, it’s two kettle lakes, Lily and Chenango, were created from retreating glaciers during the last ice age! It left behind huge chunks of buried ice which melted to form the lakes. As spring weather arrives, birdwatchers can observe different species among woodland trails and lakeside.

Rail Trail

The Rail Trail is an easily-accessible path with multiple start points to go for a walk, run, bike ride, or get your furry friend some exercise. The trail runs for almost 4 miles along an abandoned right-of-way once used by the Delaware-Lackawana & Western Railroad.

Oakley Corners State Forest

This expansive land in Owego has a 13-mile multiple use trail system for all levels. It includes short beginner trails, intermediate trails with moderate slopes, and advanced trails with challenging side slopes.

Waterman Conservation Education Center

Located in Apalachin, this land was part of Lolita Waterman’s family farm. It contains numerous trails, allowing visitors to enjoy trees, grasses, wildlife tracks, nesting boxes, and a gorge with a stream.

Wolfe Park

Located in the town of Chenango, you can hike down and around the perimeter of the Bluebird Trail, and return to your car via the Hill trail (approximately 3 miles in total).

Finch Hollow Nature Center

Located in Johnson City, this nature center includes a natural history museum and about 1 mile of trails winding through field, pond, and wooded habitats.

Jacob Wilkins works as an assistant in the Office of Media and Public Relations. He also serves as the lead broadcaster for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Mets Double-A Affiliate.