Let’s get everyone outside!
Location: Middlesex Fells Reservation Rock Circuit Trail, Malden
The Outdoor Recreation Map of Malden
Below is an interactive map of where to get outside and have fun in the city.
We ask that everyone follow “Leave No Trace” Principles when recreating outside.
This is a short list, but much more information can be found here.
Know before you go; check conditions before you go outside, bring adequate food, water, bug spray, sunscreen, and a little trash bag.
Pack in and pack out; everything you bring outside should come back with you and be disposed of properly, even food like fruit.
Avoid creating waste lands; use restroom facilities where available and pick up your pets’ waste for proper disposal.
Better together; there are many different ways to enjoy the outdoors, let’s do our part to make sure the outdoors are inclusive for everyone.
Map Icon Key
Parks for: Hiking, Rock Climbing, Fishing, and Bird Watching.
Trails for: Hiking, Rock Climbing, and Bird Watching.
Rock Climbing Gym for: training, gear purchases and rentals.
Waterways for: Paddlesports, Fishing, and Bird Watching.
Brewery for: community meeting space, food, and drinks.
Public Library for: reading resources and the library of things.
Bike Kitchen for: repairing bicycles and meeting fellow cyclists.
Activities
Bike Riding
From city bike lanes to the Northern Strand Trail to the East Coast Greenway, there are so many options to get out on a bicycle. Don’t know how to ride, don’t have a bike, or don’t know how to fix up your old one? We’ve got you covered.
From your first group ride to learning how to turn a wrench, there are resources for all. Did you know about Malden’s mountain biking scene? There’s a lot to enjoy in this city on two wheels.
Bird Watching
Watching a hawk in flight or hearing the sound of a spring songbird are all possible throughout the City of Malden. Bird watching is one of the most accessible outdoor recreational opportunities available to people of all ages and ability levels. You can enjoy bird watching without any outdoor gear, although a pair of binoculars or a free phone app add to the experience.
This activity can be enjoyed year-round at locations like: Pine Banks Park, Waitts Mount, the Malden River, or enjoy truly spectacular sights in the Fall at Pinnacle Rock.
Fishing
Rivers, ponds, and access to the open ocean — there are so many species of fish to catch through the city and just beyond. From your first sunfish, to fly fishing for trout (you read that right), to enjoying the tidal waters of the Rumney Marsh looking for stripers — we’ve got it here.
The city hosts several fishing derbies and even has a Malden Fly Fishing Club and pond for members to access.
Hiking
No oxygen tanks or sherpas required, Malden has access to over 2,500 acres of trails through the DCR’s Middlesex Fells Reservation. A rarity within any city, these trails can be accessed with a short walk from the Oak Grove T stop or the 99 bus line on the Medford / Malden border.
Enjoy scenic views of the Boston skyline and the Atlantic Ocean from peaks like: Boojum Rock, Pinnacle Rock, and Waitts Mount. Enjoyable in all seasons, there is a particular beauty of hiking or snowshoeing on freshly fallen snow.
Paddlesports
Access and recreation have just begun along The Malden River, with canoe and kayak rentals available and a new boathouse on the way soon.
Learn about the opportunity and join in and to advocate for more access to all along the river’s edge.
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing, in Malden? Yes! The city has four crags (places to climb outside) and an indoor rock climbing gym downtown.
Whether you are just starting to climb, looking to get a quick pump at lunch, or interested in doing route development, the climbing scene in Malden has been one of the best-kept secrets in the Boston area.
Why
The Great Malden Outdoors?
Location: Middlesex Fells Reservation Rock Circuit Trail, Malden
Outdoor recreation is for everyone, yet not everyone recreates outside. According to the Outdoor Industry Association Participation Report, 57% of Americans recreate outside, but what about the other 43%? When you look at the data, many groups are missing: ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and lower-income folks. The goal of The Great Malden Outdoors is to make outdoor recreation equitable for all. The city of Malden, MA has the unique combination of being the 4th most diverse city in the state of Massachusetts and home to a wide array of some of the most accessible outdoor recreation spaces in the country.
Great care was taken to make this website equitable and accessible as a resource to get more people outside, protect these special outdoor spaces, help people join the Outdoor Industry or Green Economy, and ultimately create more stewards for The Great Outdoors both within and beyond Malden.
Read the 2024 Impact Report, to see our results in year one!
Looking for someone to go with?
Latino Outdoors
We inspire, connect, and engage Latino communities in the outdoors and embrace cultura y familia as part of the outdoor narrative, ensuring our history, heritage, and leadership are valued and represented.
Ma’Wa Collective
An adventure community rooted in faith, exploration, and self-discovery for Muslim-American women.
Outdoor Afro
Outdoor Afro celebrates and inspires Black connections and leadership in nature. Our national not-for-profit organization reconnects Black people to our lands, water, and wildlife through outdoor education, recreation, and conservation.
The Outside Social Club
We connect and empower people of color to explore the outdoors through affordable and educational adventures in the Greater Boston area. By hosting outdoor events, offering membership perks, and partnering with local businesses, we break barriers, build community, and reclaim nature as a space for everyone—without exception.
Have you been outside in Malden? We need your help!
Please fill out the survey so we can better understand who and how you are going outside. Information is power and if we are to protect these spaces, we need to hear from you with this anonymous survey generously provided by the Outdoor Industry Association.
Thank you to our partners
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Mayor Gary Christenson & Team, Malden City Council
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Friends of the Malden River
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Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation
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Malden Recreation Department
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Malden Public Library
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Malden Language Access
Thank you to our sponsors
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Rock Spot Climbing
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Idle Hands Craft Ales
