Cochituate State Park

We often relax in this park! We come with the whole family, cook meat on the grill, there are many comfortable places to relax, there is a green field with thick grass where children can play different games, there is a beach and a boat station nearby. Fishermen fish from the pier. There is a large parking lot.

The park is a wonderful place for families to BBQ and relax as well as lots of lots of fields perfect for soccer! We were looking forward to going out to in the row boats!

Beautiful park. Great for dogs and picnics. The water will have harmful algae blooms fairly often in the summer so swimming is a little iffy, but paddle boarding is always fun.

It's a beautiful place to relax and take a walk or boat in nature. I come here every now and then. It's also perfect for a picnic near the water, they have tables too. Kids friendly and pets friendly as well.

Maybe because I'm not a huge fan of Lakes but I didn't really liked the water here. Atmosphere is good tho, like for a picnic and cooking outdoors, we also rented pedal boats which was cool($40 an hour). If I come back I would just probably enjoy the view, cook and chill around the park instead of getting in the water. Nice family spot.

Nice and spacious park. Came in December so no fee but daily parking fee charged May 14 through October 30. MA resident $8 and Non-MA resident $30. They have many benched for picnic and BBQ. No swimming allowed here. Heard some birds chirping during our visit. Calm and quiet. The grass ground was partially frozen so be careful.

I've seen a lot of rude South Americans here. Most people played music very loudly and acted as if they had rented the park. It was not a very good experience. Also, the water is not clean for swimming.

The beach was open to walk and play with sand but no swimming were allowed cause of bacteria inside the water

Going PeePee In The Urinal from My Penis in the Boys Bathroom in the Changing Locker Room.

Beautiful place. Although the staff is obnoxious - practically pushing you out when it's barely 7:05!

This is the second time I've been to Cochituate State Park and I came in around noon and I didn't go to the conventional way to the beach, but this was a side trail, which was much nicer and was able to just swim. It was so pretty. It was really nice with bathwater temperature considering it's been 88° out. I really enjoyed myself. This is a very popular beach for the local people and visitors alike. There are lots of children and lifeguards at the small beach, but it is a huge state park where you can do a lot of running around and picnicking. If you are not an advanced swimmer, I do not recommend coming here with children to be safe . But if you can tread water and you know how to swim well and basically live in the water, it's fine.

This park is big . In one area you have the lake in the other the hiking area . You can rent kayaks and boats you power with your feet . They have a big lot so parking is not an issue ,

This review is for the swimming area and the main parking area. The designated swimming area was covered in huge piles of duck poop. From my eyes view, I could see about 30 piles. It smelled so bad, but to my surprise people still were swimming there. I cannot believe it's legal to have a state park in this condition. Not only is it appalling it's also a huge health hazard! Some ducks eat the left overs on the ground and are fed human food- this makes their feces toxic! There's signs up here stating that they're not responsible for any illnesses- and by the looks of it they're not doing one bit to prevent it. I hope when people are done with this park, they go home and shower with pure castle soap and sprinkle oregano on everything they eat.. and have a dose of collidol silver and probiotics. To top all of this off- the main parking lot where the beach goers park to easily unload/load their belongings was closed!!! There was a much further parking lot open. There's no reason why a state parks parking lot should be closed to the public. I asked someone working there, she stated that there's no staff, the main lot is only open on the weekends. Still, even if there's no staff, what accomplishment is it to keep the main parking lot closed? They still didn't collect admission from having everyone park so far away. All it did was become a inconvenience to the public, especially people with children. It seems the state and the town cannot handle this park. I highly recommend finding your towns pool or a YMCA's pool to go swimming.

Nice, clean and not too crowded. You can launch registered boats. Limited to size to go water skiinh.

Such a nice place for a BBQ. They have many tables and grilles available. You can bring your dog if you like. My dog loves this state park. As well as, it has beautiful nature around them and wildlife. The last time we were here, we saw a family of chipmunks. You can do boating over there. I never did that there but as long as I know there are some boats available for rent. There are a lot of parking spaces available.

This place is best during the weekdays. I would not dare come visit the beach area on a busy, crowded weekend. Water/beach area is quaint but due to coming at the best times.

Went here to do a little boating, tubing and skiing. They specifically indicate on websites such activities are allowed only on the South basin. There was no mention that the basin is only accessible through a tiny tunnel. Our boat wouldn't fit. It's like they did it on purpose to prevent the skiing and tubing all together. Small power boats (16'), kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and such would fit though.

Upping my review to 2stars due to the hidden gem I found - the Snake Brook Trail. The trail is just over a mile out and back between Rt 27 and Rt 30. No access to the trail from inside the park. Which makes it little used. Also no parking available at either trail head. Park at the Starbucks in Wayland- the trailhead is right on the Wayland Natick line. The trail sign says it would be good for bikers. But you would have to be a serious man biker to navigate all the down trees. Or you could get a great upper body workout carrying your bike over them! The trail continues across Rt 30 and follows the shore of Upper Cochituate. Personally I didn't want to risk my life trying to cross the road. Best part of the trail is that you can walk out to a little peninsula and be adjacent to the mass pike and you can laugh at all the cars stuck in traffic. *********************** IMO - the only reason to come here is for the boat rentals. The beach is pretty skanky. And the traffic back ups are beyond ridiculous on weekend afternoons. Cars pulled over on the shoulder and people trying to scale the fence with coolers in tow. The beautiful people seem to buy permits for nearby Wayland Town Beach, leaving this place for the common folk.

Good beaches in MA are few and far between. This one isn't an exception, but the waters clear enough to swim in and there's actually a sandy beach area (it's small, but it's there) which already puts it ahead of other "beaches" in the area. You should expect a lot of people for a not-so-big area. I'd say this place is a back-up plan if the good beaches are closed or full. The bathrooms closed at 3:00 so you should expect the lake to turn into a public toilet after 3pm. At exactly 3:15 someone's child took a literal shit in the water that I witnessed floating around groups of people. I had to leave immediately.

Ok, dogs and burgers are very good. The clown at the take out window hates his job and needs a beating.

This is my BBQ/ swimming/ get all tanned up summer spot! For a $5 parking fee you can go to a clean Lake with plenty of grills and picnic tables. This is the perfect place if you want to do a cook out by the lake with family friends. There's tons of space and restrooms available. Even the restrooms are kept clean and the grounds of the park are always being checked up on by grounds people. They come around all the trash barrels every hour to pick up the trash. That helps to keep bugs and bees away! I've never had a problem with bees at this lake unlike other places I've been to. This is also a dry- no alcohol permitted park. The grounds people WILL go around everyone's spots and check coolers. Don't even try to sneak it in. There's also kayaking, boat rentals, and canoeing on the other side of the lake.

If you live in the area, Lake Cochituate is a great place to have a BBQ, swim, sun and play. Especially if you don't have the time or patience for a trip to the Cape or Maine. It's not the nicest facility, but I've definitely seen worse!! We got there @ noon on a Saturday and there were PLENTY of open parking spaces. We passed plenty of open picnic tables and BBQs and found a spot closer to the beach. There aren't too many garbage cans, but they do have workers driving around in a little cart emptying the trash periodically. And they have recycling bins too, which is nice. I only dipped my feet into the cold, but refreshing, water. The beach was pretty clean from what I could tell. It's a great place for a kids' birthday party or a group get-together.

Eeeee...lakes ya kinda gross. Just after you submerge into the water be sure to shower afterwards. I enjoy this lake for a quick swim after work. As I'm swimming I can keep an eye on traffic and decide whether or not its time to go. There's a bathroom/changing facility and there's lot of woods to walk around. I've also rented paddleboats which you use your feet so its fun and different.. Good summertime spot. Parking 5$ but sometimes when I go after work its so late that they don't charge. Just in the water stay away from kids & "clingy" couples. Haha

CSP has been many things through the ages. The place where I grew up with my kids. It's best in spring when tanning season just emerges. A lot of soft flaunts. It just suggests the best.

This is a good beach alternative for us because we have a little one and we just can't spent 1+hours in the car anymore. The park is pretty clean, especially considering the amount of people that were there when we went. The park attendants regularly empty the trash bins, etc. There are two large fields that provide plenty of space to set up games. There are lots of picnic tables and grills! They don't allow alcohol at the park, which I think helps weed out the louder/wilder crowds. I'm not a huge fan of lake beaches but the water was mostly clear, warm and was perfect for the little guys.

I love, love love Cochituate State Park. I've come here twice with my friend and her 3 year old daughter, both times intending to go to Walden Park (but Walden Park had reached capacity.) I love swimming here and hanging out on the beach and kayaking. If you don't have kids, you may not enjoy it as much--it is definitely a lively, multicultural buzzing kind of place full of people picnicking and children playing. There are restrooms and usually an ice cream truck and boats/kayaks to rent. It is also easy to bring your own--the access to the water from the parking lot is very convenient.

Safe, clean, people in charge are awesome, great for families that are looking for privacy and respect! I love it

You can pretty much do anything you want here, kayaking and canoeing. laying out on the beach, swimming and of course getting your BBQ on. There is always plenty of parking, places to have a picnic etc. Across the street and further down is another part of the park that is a bit smaller and usually more private. There is supposed to be a great trail that winds around the lake but I have to find it or go on. I would love to do some trail running one day and hope that its a good enough trail for running.

I haven't been here since I was a kid and now I know why: it's only for families and kids. I was here on a Sunday and it was packed with 1000 screaming kids. On top of the screaming kids were the constant whistle warnings coming from the lifeguards. The water may be clean but with all those kids who knows what's going on. The boating facility and rentals is decent but unless you're coming with kids, don't bother.

My company holds their summer picnics here and I went for the first time this past summer and I really liked the park. It's really huge an has a beach. There's planty of parking and it's very clean. We had so much room to play many games like volley ball and dodge ball. There's also a huge picnic table area

Whoa! I attended a girl scout camp, here, in the 1950's (Camp Mary Bunker) and I was pleased to see that the surrounding woods and lake were as wonderful now as it was then. It has remained uncomplicated, even though the population has exploded around it and it might not appeal to those who desire a more structured getaway (theme parks, etc). But that's not the park's fault........it is still magic.

You can rent single or double kayaks, paddle boards that even an 8 yr can manage or a peddle boat the whole family can peddle together, all from Boston Boating which also offers sailing lessons. There are rest rooms and changing rooms, picnic benches and individual grills, as well as a clean, sandy beach. Three of us had a ball, two days in a row, for about $40 a day and less than 6 miles from home. It can get crowded on mid-summer weekends, but get there when it opens at 10am or on a weekday in Sept and you might have the whole lake to yourself.

Jetskis are not allowed on the lake. The water looks dirty, so not sure you would really want to swim or boat. The beach and woods are nice though. $5 to park and it looks like they rent canoes, kayaks, etc. Okay stop for a picnic, but other than that probably wouldn't go back.

great place for families with little kids. my 1.5 year old had soo much fun! my 4yo build a sandcastle and went in water sometimes but water was pleasantly warm.

The wait to get is ridiculous. The parking lot is not full and were told the park is full and unable to get in. This place is awful, has us waiting on the side of road.

Cochitutate State Park is a beach/park/boat launch in Natick, made up of two (or three) big lakes that are all connected. There are a few places throughout the park with picnic tables and a beachy area where you can swim. They also have boat rentals, which is what my sister and our significant others' decided to do one sunny day. They offer paddle-boats and canoes. My husband and I got a paddle-boat and the other two decided to get a canoe. They provided us with life preservers, and off we went. The main lake itself is gorgeous, and it was a nice 'paddle' around, going under a few bridges and out onto the middle of the adjacent lake. It was in the middle of this lake that things started going wrong. My sister decided that she wanted to switch with me, so we precariously switched spots mid-lake. We situated ourselves and continued on our way. A while later, the paddle boat that my sister and hubby were using BROKE. It simply wouldn't paddle anymore. So, we switched again, my husband getting into the canoe with my sisters' boyfriend. The went off to tell someone we needed to be rescued, and we just floated around on the lake for what seemed like 10 hours. Eventually, a young gent in a small motor boat came to our aid. He tied up our broken boat and helped us on board his. We eventually got back to shore, and while we were gone, my sissies BF had convinced them to give us our money back. Despite this minor snafu, we still ended up having a fun day. We ate our picnic lunch when we got back, and walked around little. They probably need to upgrade their equipment, but I would definitely go back if I was looking for something to do and was in the area.

I come here every 4th of July, a tradition me and my cousins have. Great place to cook out and break a sweat for a good swim. Only thing I hate is the immature people that go sometimes, but it doesn't stop me and my family from enjoying this day every year. Also added my dog to the tradition lol.

We frequent Lake Cochituate in the summer. It's not as clean or peaceful as Walden Pond, but parking doesn't fill up, there's a fair amount of space on the beach so that you're not on top of one another, and there is a shady picnic area with grills. It's also very convenient. Often in the summer, after we're running our Natick/Framingham-area errands, we'll pop into Cochituate for a quick dip because it's such an easy location if you're just west of Boston. It's a great place for families to spend some time on a hot day. It's cheaper than the town beaches and doesn't have as many restrictions as them.

Went snowshoeing here the other day and it was awesome! Beautiful, well maintained and not crowded at all. Had a blast and will definitely be back. Felt very safe as well.

A friend and I visited here to rent a canoe and find a nice place for a picnic lunch and enjoy the outdoors. That did not work out so well. Firstly, there were speeding motor boats everywhere. The waves being caused by all the speeding motor boats made what should have been a 20 minute ride out of the harbor area take over an hour. In the Northern part of the lake, we encountered water skiers who kept skiing dangerously close to our canoe. Until they forbid speeding and water skiing on this lake, my friend and I will not be coming back any time soon.

I went there on a Saturday with family to attend a church outing event. The place is packed - so packed that if you need to drive out of the park in the middle of day, do NOT count on being able to get back. Sometimes they close the gate before noon time and re-open at 3. No drive-in or walk-in allowed. This is exactly what happened to me. This was a major turn-off because my wife and kids were still in the park. I had to drive back home. (Luckily my wife drove her own car on that day). As one can imagine, park staff are really rude and unhelpful. So unless you really like the lake, I would avoid going there at all. In summary: park itself is ok; Way too many people; Very bad staff and management.

Lifeguarded here in the late 80 ' S good local place to take the family. Well maintained beach and a large area for boating very close to the metro west area.

Parking lot not full but they close the parking unless you have boat and refuse people walk in even if your friends and family already inside. Bad attitude. The worst experience I ever had with baby.

Parking is $8 but you may need to park really far away, so bring something on wheels to carry your stuff. This is the kind of place where people can bring charcoal and grill, move 5 picnic tables into a private circle, and it is a very street-festival-like atmosphere. The beach was packed with kids and our kids loved it until we saw an older sister or teen mom wash a potty training toddler's dirty butt in the water, and that turned us off, disgusting. One kid found a sock in the water. You can't see through the water with goggles. No life guards, no staff seen other than money collectors. Packed to overflowing on Sunday. Won't be going back.

No stars. Lovely area, awful staff. Went there today. Way over crowded. Not enough parking. Full already at 10:30am. No accommodations for unloading and could be expected to park at the very far end of large car park and lug everything the distance. Staff extremely unnecessarily rude and very aggressive. We left ten minutes after arriving due to staff rudeness and aggression, forfeited our entrance fee and drove over to Hopkington State Park where staff are always lovely. Appalled at the attitudes and aggression of the staff at Cochituate Park. Won't be returning to Cochituate Park.

I read the reviews that said it's good for families and kids and figured I'm in that demographic. I was visiting family in the area. It'll be fine for us. Not so much. The beach was small and rather crowded midweek with summer camp groups. We brought our kayaks which was fun, but it's a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the kayak put in. The beach had dog poop on it- gross. I told one of the park staff, but we were there 4 hours and no one did anything about it. Also every hour everyone has to get out of the water for 15 minutes due to safety checks. Maybe this is good if you are in the city and this is the closest thing you've got.