Local Boston Crags
This page is for you to reference to learn about local crags that we can climb at as well as provide useful info for your trip! These crags are our most-popular destinations, but we offer trips to more locations than what you see on this page. Reach out for information on all of our locations.
Quincy Quarries
Quincy Quarries is a Boston classic climbing area. The quarries feature walls up to 80 ft. tall as well as a very wide range of difficulties, with consistent routes ranging 5.3-5.11. The grades were often set before spray paint came to the quarries, so you will find the holds and feet particularly slick, which adds a grade to the climbing. Overall, this crag features a variety of climbing, amazing views, and is one of the closest crags to reach by car (only 20 min South of downtown Boston).
If you are climbing at the quarries, you will meet your instructor at the “Quincy Quarries Reservation” location on google, which is the main parking area. The address for this parking is:
Ricciuti Dr, Quincy, MA 02169
Red Rock Conservation Area
Red Rock is, in our opinion, the best beginner crag anywhere near Boston. The routes here are very moderate on good-quality rock. The top is well-bolted, which is ideal for learning to set your own ropes, and this area is the fastest-drying crag in the Greater Boston Area. This combination makes Red Rock fun and reliable for introductory outdoor trips. This crag is located about 40 min North-East of Boston.
It is easy to get lost on your first trip to the Red Rock parking. You can find the parking at the ‘Red Rock Trailhead’ in Gloucester on Google maps (but not Apple maps). For verbal directions, you can reach the area by: 1) taking I-95 N from Boston, 2) Keeping left onto MA-128 N, 3) Getting off at exit 53 and take a left. The parking will be right next to the underpass off exit 53.
Hammond Pond
Hammond Pond is a small crag about 20 min West of Boston, located in Chestnut Hill. The rock here is a conglomerate material that is fun and unique to most other outdoor crags. The rock here is also ideal for learning a style known as crack climbing, which can make for a fun day of trying new movement. This is also a fantastic crag to try if you want something available via public transit.
Hammond Pond is accessible via the ‘Chestnut Hill’ stop via the ‘Riverside’ green line on the T. The trailhead is located in the Chestnut Hill Mall parking lot, and it is marked on google as ‘Hammond Pond Trail - Parking’.
College Rock
College Rock is a fantastic small crag located in Hopkinton, about 40 min south-west of Boston. The rock wall here is a medium height, with walls up to 40 ft tall. The climbing at College Rock is mostly face climbing (the style of climbing you most-commonly find in the gym) as well as some fun short chimneys. We recommend college rock for anyone that is looking for a challenge or wants to learn more-complex natural anchor set ups, as this crag is completely un-bolted.
The parking for this area is located at 23 College Street, Hopkinton MA, but can be quite small. There is additional parking on the other side of the park. with a slightly longer approach.
Crow Hill
When you hit the weather right, Crow Hill is the ultimate climbing area near Boston. This crag features some walls over 100 ft talll. The climbs here cover every grade and style of climbing that you could want, with a particular focus on crack and face climbs in the 5.8-5.10 range. This crag is also very well bolted up top with room for some natural anchors, and almost 40 of it’s routes can be lead on trad. This combo makes Crow Hill a fantastic place to learn most styles of climbing. Crow Hill even features some 2-pitch multipitch climbs.
You need to be careful with the weather at Crow Hill, because this crag can stay wet for a while after rain. This damp nature also means that you can expect a lot of bugs in the summer months. Because of this, the best times to visit Crow Hill are in April, September, October, and November. Crow Hill is located in Leominster, which is about 40min-1hr from Boston, and is one of the furthest locations we offer. If you can visit at the right time, the climbing and views make the trip worth it!