Massachusetts · Rock climbing · Needham

Needham Town Forest

6 routes
5.8+ – 5.9+
Bouldering
Apr–Oct
best months

Needham Town Forest is a bouldering area in Needham, Massachusetts, about half a mile from Needham Junction. It sits among several climbing spots within a short distance, including Illusive Cliff, Rainbow Rocks and Ship's Prow Boulder, each within about a third of a mile. The forest's climbing is all bouldering, with six routes that grade in the 5.8 to 5.9 range on the YDS scale and V0+ on the V scale. Among them are Pandemic, a 5.8+ boulder, and Ghost Town, a 5.9 boulder with an alternate start at 5.9+. For timing, late spring through early fall is the most comfortable stretch. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Natick run from highs around 68°F in May to about 82°F in July, with September easing back to the low 70s. Mountain bikers can head to Red Path, about 0.4 miles away, or the Bay Colony Rail Trail, about 1.1 miles away. Paddlers will find the East Branch Neponset River roughly 8.7 miles off.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Needham Town Forest

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      35° / 17°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 18°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 25°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 35°

      11 wet

    5. May

      68° / 46°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 56°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      82° / 62°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      80° / 59°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      73° / 52°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 40°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      51° / 31°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 23°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Natick, MA, 4.9 mi away at 180 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Routes (6)