Walden Pond
Walden Pond State Reservation
915 Walden Street
Concord, MA
978-369-3254

Walden Pond is a wonderful park to visit.   It does get very crowded on hot summer days, especially weekends, as many locals head to Walden Pond in their bathing suits, seeking relief from the heat.  Your best bet is to visit on cooler off-season days, and to stick with the trails away from the main one that goes around the pond.  If you can avoid the crowds, you will enjoy the solitude and peace that Henry David Thoreau found here.


From the Massachusetts State Parks and Recreation Dept. website: 

Henry David Thoreau lived at Walden Pond from July 1845 to September 1847. His experience at Walden provided the material for the book Walden, which is credited with helping to inspire awareness and respect for the natural environment. Because of Thoreau's legacy, Walden Pond has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is considered the birthplace of the conservation movement. Park Interpreters provide tours and ongoing educational programs. The Reservation encompasses 333 acres surrounding the pond, which is a 103 foot deep glacial kettle hole pond. 2280 acres of mostly undeveloped woods, called "Walden Woods" surrounds the pond.

The area is popular for fishing, swimming, and walking. To protect the natural resources of the area and ensure that Walden Pond remains a pleasant place for people in the future, the number of visitors is limited to no more than 1,000 people at a time. Dogs, bicycles, floatation devices and grills are prohibited. To avoid disappointment, visitors are encouraged to call the park in advance and check on parking availability. A replica of Thoreau’s house and the location of his modest home are available for viewing by the public. Year round interpretive programs and guided walks are offered as well as a gift shop, bookstore and the Tsongas gallery. Specialized Equipment includes portable FM listening systems for park programs and a beach wheel chair for access to the beach and water.


Park Directions:
Walden Pond State Reservation is located near Lincoln and Concord in the Greater Boston Area.
From east or west: Rte. 2 to Rte. 126 south, follow signs.


For more information on Walden Pond from the Massachusetts State Parks and Recreation Dept., including a trail map, click here.   This link will lead you to the source of the text excerpt and photo above.  Animated footprints below are courtesy of gifs.net.





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