Rumney Marsh Reservation

March 21, 2020 Sunny

Rumney Marsh is a 600 acre salt marsh in Saugus. It offers a short trail, bird watching, and fishing.

We parked just off Route 107 on the eastern side of the marsh, went past a closed gate, and started our walk on a wide gravel path. The striking part was the contrast of the gold of the marsh and the blue of the sky.

We soon came upon an open area that looked like a landing strip for planes. And it was – but a runway for radio control airplanes, used by a local flying club. There was a small shed and a number of picnic tables on the side for viewing the races.

We continued past the airstrip and walked north along the main trail through the park. In the distance across the marsh, you can see some houses, so this is not an “wild” and remote area.

After a brief section with thin birch trees, the view opens up, and you feel closer to the water.

The last stretch of the marsh seemed drier than we expected, partly because the main marsh is beyond the trees, but also likely due to the lack of rain we’ve experienced recently. The trail ends at a nice parking lot on the north side at Ballard Street. Most of the walkers (many with leashed dogs) came from that entrance to the trails.

Turning around, we returned along the same path, this time with the wind at our backs.

For a short walk, the marsh is a nice change of pace from a forest or meadow. But the presence of road noise and various man-made structures on all sides detracts from the experience.

• The marshland had no real color and all around were industrial buildings or houses in the distance. We had hoped for a more serene walk.
• The landscape is barren in the winter. It borders an industrial area so the views are not exactly pristine.
• Wasteland. Marsh. Mud. Dog poop. Repeat. I’d advise you to not visit unless you are REALLY bored.
• All there was was marsh and wastelands. Pretty boring.
• It was a wasteland. And we found a bunch of broken benches.

For more information: Rumney Marsh Reservation official site