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Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

Designation: National Historic Site

Location: Massachusetts

Visit Official Park Website

📘 Park Overview

In the 1600's, on the banks of the Saugus River, something extraordinary happened! Explore the place where European iron makers brought their special skills to a young Massachusetts colony. Saugus Iron Works is a twelve-acre National Historic Site that includes working waterwheels, forges, mills, a historic 17th century home, and a lush river basin.

🌤 Weather Information

New England weather is unpredictable year-round. Monthly averages, in degrees Fahrenheit, are: January: 37 high, 20 low February: 40 high, 23 low March: 47 high, 30 low April: 57 high, 38 low May: 67 high, 48 low June: 76 high, 58 low July: 82 high, 63 low August: 80 high, 62 low September: 73 high, 55 low October: 62 high, 45 low November: 52 high, 37 low December: 42 high, 27 low

🚗 Directions

The park is accessible via Interstate 95 (Walnut St.) and Route 1 (Main St. / Walnut St.). Public transportation options are available through the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Images

Several wooden structures amid green fields and trees under partly cloudy sky and beside river.

A view of Saugus Iron Works from the Saugus River

Credit: NPS Photo / Don Woods

Approximately 15' by 15' spoked wooden wheel beside river and under blue sky.

The forge is where bars of pig iron created at the blast furnace were changed into a new kind of iron that a blacksmith was able to use.

Credit: NPS Photo

Rectangular wooden structure between orange deciduous trees and wooden bridge with walkway.

The blast furnace is where bog ore was smelted to create cast iron "pig" bars.

Credit: NPS Photo

Activities

Topics

Operating Hours

Sunday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Friday
All Day
Saturday
All Day

Entrance Fees

No entrance fees listed.

Entrance Passes

No entrance passes listed.

3-Day Weather Forecast

Thursday, Mar 19

Sunny

Sunny

High: 44.1°F | Low: 28.2°F

Humidity: 66%

Wind: 12.5 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 06:49 AM

Sunset: 06:55 PM

Moon: New Moon (0%)

Visibility: 6 mi

Dew Point: 28.1°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Friday, Mar 20

Cloudy

Cloudy

High: 43.2°F | Low: 31.3°F

Humidity: 81%

Wind: 20.4 mph

Rain Chance: 0%

UV Index: 0.9

Sunrise: 06:47 AM

Sunset: 06:56 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (1%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 34.3°F

Cloud Cover: 0%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Saturday, Mar 21

Heavy rain

Heavy rain

High: 47.8°F | Low: 39.2°F

Humidity: 80%

Wind: 16.6 mph

Rain Chance: 85%

UV Index: 0.3

Sunrise: 06:45 AM

Sunset: 06:57 PM

Moon: Waxing Crescent (5%)

Visibility: 5 mi

Dew Point: 39.3°F

Cloud Cover: 85%

Pressure: N/A mb

Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A

Ozone: N/A

EPA Index: N/A

Park Alerts

Construction
Due to construction, getting to the park may be difficult. Please follow the detour signs.
Park Grounds Closed Due to Snow Park Closure
Due to the weather, the buildings and grounds at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site will be closed on Tuesday, February 24. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Park Visitor Center Closed August 24, 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM Park Closure
The Saugus Iron Works Visitor Center will be closed from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM on Sunday, August 24. The building will be open from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. All other park buildings and guided tours will be available on their regular schedule.
Road Barriers Today, September 13, 2025 Caution
Due to the Founders Day festival in Saugus Center, access to the National Park Service parking lot is blocked to vehicles coming north on Central Street. To access the parking lot, please drive south on Central Street, bypassing the detour sign at the corner of Central and Appleton Street. The Saugus Iron Works NHS parking lot is the last area you can access by car before the road closure at Central and Pleasant Street.
Concert Canceled on August 20 Park Closure
The Jon Waterman concert scheduled for August 20 at 6 PM has been canceled due to rain. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Forge Closed
The interior of the forge will be closed to the public on 7/13 and 7/14 due to the fabrication of a new waterwheel shaft. Visitors are welcome to observe the process from outside the forge.

Visitor Center & Contacts

📍 Physical Address:
244 Central St
Saugus, MA 01906

🏤 Mailing Address:
244 Central St
Saugus, MA 01906

📞 Voice Phone: 781-233-0050

✉️ Email: SAMA_Information@nps.gov

Park Location

👏 Fun Fact
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