Walden Pond State Reservations

(978) 369-3254

915 Walden St
Concord, MA 01742 42.4406 -71.3348

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Last updated 8.29.11

What People Are Saying About Walden Pond State Reservations

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Take a walk or a jog, or find a flat rock and spread out the Sunday paper--just make sure to get here early (the parking lot can reach capacity by 11am). Once you're in, there's plenty to do: Go for a swim in the clear blue water, go boating, or find a quiet cove and drop a line for trout. – – The Experience – The real draw is Thoreau's cabin, in which the 19th-century writer, philosopher and naturalist lived in solitude for two years. Drop a commemorative stone on the site, a ritual since 1852. The trail that loops around the pond is about one-and-a-half…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
The grounds are limited to 1,000 visitors and 350 parking spaces (park along the road and your car will be towed), which is necessary during warm-weather season, but the park is yours in the colder months.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. All in all, I recommend Walden Pond for a quiet or romantic afternoon, away from the hubbub of Boston city life.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. great place to ride your bike out to, sneak off to the far side of the pond and skinnydip.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/04/02

watery, leafy, and peaceful

by amsu

I would have to say that in eastern Massachusetts this nature preserve is the most peaceful place in and around Boston. Talk about good vibes, its amazing how good you feel hiking around the pond.

The other place I found as peaceful was the Peace Pogoda in Leverett, MA.

  • Pros: Cheap, Peaceful, Beautiful
  • Cons: Short
2 Star Rating: Below Average

07/02/02

Just OK.

by Shaka_X

Dont even bother going if its a weekend. Youll end up sitting in a long line of cars sweating for the opportunity to fork over $5 to park. Only go on weekdays if you want to have a good time. Why wont the state make a bigger lot? The picturesque beauty of the pond described in Thoreaus book has already been destroyed by the few tons of sand that have been dropped on the place, not to mention a boathouse, so theres no point in pretending the natural beauty is still undisturbed. Mon thru Fri only.

  • Pros: Close to city
  • Cons: Ugly, Crowded, Overused
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/06/02

Serene surroundings

by bbagel

I went to Walden Pong last weekend with my family. It is a great way to spend a quiet afternoon. Parking is $5 per car and entrance is free. You can walk around the lake and just enjoy the scenary. A lot of people swim in the lake, lay out in the sun, or play frisbee, etc. There is also a trail that goes around the lake and you can jog it. You can visit a replica of Thoreau's house (basically a small hut), and there is a little bookstore right by the pond too. All in all, I recommend Walden Pond for a quiet or romantic afternoon, away from the hubbub of Boston city life.

  • Pros: Quiet, Serene, Beautiful getaway
4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

05/31/02

back to nature

by jpanderson_citysearch

though it can feel like a mall with the summer crowds, in the early spring and fall this place still has the magic of the thoreau book. beautiful when the leaves are changing, it's a lovely, calm, natural space. a great place to ride your bike out to, sneak off to the far side of the pond and skinnydip. to me, this IS new england.

The Details on Walden Pond State Reservations

Place Categories:

  • recommend walden pond
  • amazing hiking
  • even bother dont
  • just enjoy scenary
  • good vibes
  • great place

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