Things to Do in Saugus

The best things to do outdoors in Saugus are mostly free and mostly public land. DCR's Breakheart Reservation has two lakes, a lifeguarded summer beach, paved loops and hill trails with free parking. The National Park Service's Saugus Iron Works preserves the first sustained, integrated ironworks in British Colonial America, also free. DCR's Rumney Marsh Reservation protects 600 acres of salt marsh for bird watching, and DCR's Kasabuski Memorial Rink is on Forest Street. Nahant Beach, Revere Beach and Lynn Woods are nearby.

Breakheart Reservation

DCR's forest reservation of over 600 acres in Saugus and Wakefield. Two lakes, a swimming beach at Pearce Lake with lifeguards in summer, the 2-mile paved Inner Loop and 3-mile Outer Loop, six DCR suggested hikes, a fenced off-leash dog area and a visitor center with free programs. Open sunrise to sunset; free parking at 177 Forest Street. Start with the Breakheart guide, trails and Pearce Lake.

Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

At 244 Central Street, the National Park Service preserves the first sustained, integrated iron works in British Colonial America, which operated on the Saugus River from 1646 to about 1670. Grounds and the half-mile nature trail are open 24/7; the museum, reconstructed buildings and waterwheel demonstrations run Wednesday to Sunday from May 7 to October 31. Admission is free. Full details on the Saugus Iron Works page.

Rumney Marsh Reservation

DCR describes Rumney Marsh as a 600-acre salt marsh within the Saugus and Pines River Inlet, where visitors can bird watch, fish and boat. It is designated an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

• Parking: reservation lots at 111 Ballard Street and 114 Bristow Street, Saugus.
• Hours: dawn to dusk.
• Activities: picnicking, hiking, bird watching, and free natural and cultural history tours from DCR.
• Dogs: allowed on a leash or in a carrier.
• Not allowed: removing any park resource, feeding wildlife, fires, camping, alcohol and motorized vehicles. Stay on the trails and use the trash barrels.

DCR marks it transit friendly. The Northern Strand Trail runs along the Rumney Marsh in Revere.

Kasabuski Memorial Rink

DCR runs the Kasabuski Memorial Rink at 201 Forest Street, Saugus, with on-site parking. DCR's page says to call for public skating hours; its statewide ice skating list gives the number as (781) 231-4183. DCR's Breakheart trail map shows the rink near Forest Street, by the park's main entrance, so a winter walk and a skate fit together. See winter at Breakheart.

Camp Nihan Education Center

DCR's 65-acre group camping area at 131 Walnut Street, with cabins and group tent sites for organized groups, booked through ReserveAmerica or a special use permit. DCR also holds some public programs there, such as fall bird walks. See Camp Nihan.

Northern Strand Trail

The paved, car-free rail trail from Everett to Lynn crosses Saugus near Laurel Street and Lincoln Street, according to Bike to the Sea. See the Northern Strand Trail page.

Beaches Nearby

• Nahant Beach (DCR): lifeguards in summer, showers and boat ramps; parking $10 for Massachusetts plates and $40 for others, May 23 to October 12.
• Revere Beach (DCR): the first public beach in the United States, on the Blue Line, with lifeguards in summer.
• Pearce Lake (DCR, inside Breakheart): freshwater, lifeguarded in season, free parking.

More Forest and Water

• Lynn Woods (City of Lynn): 2,200 acres, over 30 miles of trails, Dungeon Rock.
• Lake Quannapowitt (Town of Wakefield): a paved loop of about 3.6 miles and boating through local clubs.

A Free Day in Saugus

Morning at Saugus Iron Works for the 10 a.m. waterwheel demonstration (Wednesday to Sunday in season), lunch at a Breakheart picnic area with a propane grill, then the Silver Lake Trail or a swim at Pearce Lake in summer. All of it is free. Check Breakheart's hours and parking first.