EXPLORE
Our watershed land is on the colonized lands of the Massachusett, Nipmuc, and Pawtucket tribes. As you explore the watershed, we encourage you to learn with us about its past and current indigenous heritage.
Chris McIntosh
Run, walk, and bike
Experience the growing network of shared-use paths along the Mystic River and tributaries, lakes and ponds. All of the paths are ADA-accessible. A highlight is Macdonald Park in Medford, one of the largest riverine Parks in Boston.
Our Mystic Greenways program works to connect 25 miles of parks and paths on our riverfront-see our vision.
Explore a comprehensive network of foot paths and bike paths in Greater Boston with the MAPC trail map.
Margaret Walsh
Learn to sail, rent a boat, or use your own
Use our paddle guide to locate boat launches (there are 7) and swimming locations, and to find paddle routes. Rent a canoe, kayak or paddleboard at Paddle Boston’s two locations on the Mystic River: Blessing of the Bay in Somerville or Condon Band Shell in Medford. Spy Pond in Arlington also has seasonal rentals. Learn to sail at Courageous Sailing, Charlestown or Piers Park Sailing Center, East Boston. Gentle Giant Rowing Club offers opportunities to learn and compete.
Kim Nagy
Experience nature
The parks along the Mystic are filled with plants, animals, and birds. Use biodiversity community-science apps, iNaturalist or eBird, to help ID and learn about all the organisms living here. Hot spots for birding include Belle Isle Marsh, Mystic Lakes, Macdonald Park, Fresh Pond and Horn Pond.
Each April to July nearly one million River Herring swim seven miles from the ocean to the freshwater lakes to spawn. Visit www.MysticHerring.org to learn more about this migration.
Andre Strongbearheart Gaines
Join us for an event
There are a host of events along the Mystic every year—from volunteer events to cultural events—like the Mishoon Burning at Charlestown Little Mystic Channel. Sign up for our e-news to learn about these events and the latest news of improvements along the watershed. Check out our calendar for events.
David Mussina
cool off with a dip
Swim at Shannon Beach on the Upper Mystic Lake or at Wedge Pond in Winchester—both are accessible by bike and have parking. For coastal beaches check out nearby Constitution Beach, East Boston or Revere Beach. To find out if any DCR beach in MA is safe to swim, check the DCR Advisory Dashboard.
MyRWA Archives
Open a can of worms
Visit the public fishing piers at Draw 7 Park in Somerville and Mary O’Malley Park in Chelsea. Learn how to fish safely.
For freshwater fishing Horn Pond in Woburn is stocked every year, try the Mystic Lakes or somewhere along the Mystic River.
Explore map
Available in Spanish (En Español)
Interactive map
Use this interactive map to locate public boat launches along the Malden and Mystic Rivers, as well as the many walking trails and places to fish in the Mystic River watershed. Find more information here.
