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    Walden Pond State Reservation

    3.9 (234 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 6:30 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Andres A.

    An amazing place to be able to just sit, relax and enjoy nature. You can sit by the pond or walk the trail. They have a parking area which gets quite busy.

    Stacie B.

    As an avid reader of both Henry Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson, I of course had to come here when on vacation in the area. It was amazing to be able to connect with an area that resulted in writings that I've referred to since I was a teenager. The pond is beautiful and really enjoyed walking the trail around it. The trail does lose some of its natural feel as they've put fencing up immediately beside it on both sides in some areas. I recognize this is to prevent off-trail exploring and erosion, but does impact the vibe a bit. We enjoyed going to the original site of Thoreau's cabin and the markings that have been made there to recognize it. The park also has a wonderful book/gift shop that has so many cute things, so would fully recommend stopping in and seeing what you can find there as well!

    Xavier K.

    I visited Walden Pond while I was in the Boston area. This place is unique, serene, and peaceful, perfect for hiking, swimming, or relaxing. We hiked around the lake in late June. We also visited Henry David Thoreau's small house and the original site where this famous writer lived and wrote American classics in the 1800s, seeking to liberate his soul. His desires from the 1800s convey strong messages to people living in the 21st century. I need to find a place where I can liberate myself these days.

    Beachgoers
    Michelle M.

    I've been coming to Walden Pond since I was a baby (...yep) so this place is very nostalgic for me. It's still the same historical place it's always been, the place where Henry David Thoreau lived and wrote his famous works. Still the same beautiful pond with hiking trails surrounding. Still the same steep hill that you have to face on the walk back to your car after a long day of sitting in the sun. Still a New England favorite. You can visit the replica of his cabin and walk the trails to the original site of where it once was. However it's obviously been updated to keep up with times. Parking is now paid for electronically. It's $8 for the day and they have machines in which you use a card to pay for it. They've built a visitors center in the parking lot, where there are bathrooms, an educational center, and a new gift shop. They still have the bathhouse too down by the water. I will say the water feels...less clean when swimming. There's lots of leaves, and other things floating around as you swim. You also share the beach with numerous Canadian geese now. Kind of a nuisance as they get close to you and in some instances walk on your belongings... With all this, I won't stop coming here, because it's just tradition at this point. I recommend coming early as they will sporadically close the parking lot when it's full.

    I went to the woods to pay Massachusetts for the privilege. If you're out of state, stay there. You're not welcome in Taxachusetts.
    Glenn P.

    They really don't want you to visit. It's $8 for Mass residents and $30 just to park if you're out if state. They say you can stop at the Walden Pond visitors center for 20 minutes but all entrances are closed and the lots are empty. We should charge Mass residents $50 when they visit Washington Crossing NJ -- too bad it's free. We thought it would be nice to see the pond that we read about about in school. We went out of our way to see it. Steer clear of Concord. Seriously, this experience colored my whole impression of the state of Massachusetts. What a money-grubbing, crummy place that can't support its cultural institutions without ripping off out-of-state visitors! And one more thing: Massachusetts has 22 billionaires -- 3.15 billionaires for every million people, which puts Massachusetts 9th among all states. Those billionaires should be ashamed that they have to bilk visitors to support their cultural institutions. Why doesn't even one billionaire pony up to support Waldon Pond? They could get a movement going and became a real state someday like New Jersey that welcomes all people to its museums and landmarks at a modest -- if any -- fee.

    Gohar K.

    Walden Pond is a beautiful place to visit and hike when the weather is nice. We were there in late November and it was freezing. My husband and I Walked the path around the pond for a few minuets and had to return cause it was cold and the ground was wet with mud. I can imagine how beautiful this place is in the spring, summer and autumn. For the summer months you can swim at the beach or take a long hike then swim. There are picnic stops so you can pack some food and have a nice picnic with gorgeous views of the pond and the trees. In the fall I can see how colorful it gets, I'm a big fan of fall foliage. Overall I loved the whole area and would visit again on my next trip to Concord, MA.

    Steve Z.

    "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived...." Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) One of the most loveliest and peaceful places on earth and as such, one of those sublime places that does not need a Yelp review. Thus I'll be brief: I've dreamed of coming here since I was 16 years old after reading Thoreau for the first time. I was so blessed and grateful to finally make it here 40+ years later. Everything is exactly as I imagined it would be. I enjoyed being able to obtain visual orientation on familiar landmarks and places referenced in his book. For example I now understand the view from his cabin door (although you must mentally account for fact that about half those trees weren't there 200 years ago, so the view would've been even more breathtaking), and what his vantage point must have looked like. We walked all the way around the lake, visited the outdoor landmarks and displays, then returned to the visitor center to see the short movie and study the interior exhibits. It was a lovely misty autumn day that added to the atmosphere of contemplation. Enough reading... come out here and see for yourself... then re-evaluate your own life, and in the words of Thoreau: "simplify, simplify".... Jettison everything in your life that is preventing you from flourishing and from reaching your fullest potential (including that electronic device you're now holding), and live! It's not too late. Mahalo for reading my review.

    Marlene P.

    My family and I are from California, and every time we visit Concord in the summer, we have to make a stop at Walden Pond. It's so peaceful and rarely crowded, not to mention its always clean near the beach area. The water is warm, so that's a huge plus! It's absolutely gorgeous and worth a visit. The visitors center across the street is worth checking out as well! Thanks Walden Pond, for the memorable memories! We can't wait to come back.

    At the cairn near the cabin site
    Terry B.

    Years ago I had read that Walden Pond had been so overdeveloped that you could not get the sense of Thoreau's writings while visiting. In 1978, we made our first visit and found the opposite to be true. Every inch of this park is designed to showcase respect for the man and the natural beauty that he made famous. On the east side of the road, there is a large parking area and a newly rebuilt park headquarters. Crossing into the pond side, you go down a gentle sloped trail to the pondside building, where you will find well-maintained restrooms. Then you set off on the trail to the northwest side, and follow the pond past a large beach area for swimming and boating. Within a half hour you arrive at the main attraction. The foundation of Thoreau's cabin was found decades ago, and stones mark the spot. Nearby, there is a giant pile of rocks where visitors who love Thoreau were encouraged to leave a stone. On our most recent trip, we left a pebble from the Zen garden in our back yard. In the six or seven times we have visited we have never seen more than a few pilgrims at this site. Proceeding west, you see the railway line that was present 180 years ago in Thoreau's day. It still is a working train line from Boston to Concord. This lovely and inspiring spot is a must for any traveler to the Boston Area.

    Brooke T.

    Walden Pond is a nice place to visit to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good. The walking path around the pond offers a pleasant stroll and nice spots to sit and chat near the water. For families with young children, the beach is great - they have the buoys set up such that it's easy to keep toddlers in the very shallow area, and there's a good amount of shade for napping babies or anyone else who wants to get out of the sun. It does become extremely crowded on summer weekends, though...best for a weekday visit if you have a day off.

    CrIg Hockenberry
    Craig H.

    Craig Hockenberry: Walden Pond I had the chance to hike several miles at Walden Pond and visit the Site of Henry David Thoreau's Cabin and the replica. It was the fall which made it even more incredible! The calmness and the amazing foliage was incredible. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY Ohio Craig Hockenberry

    Yuk L.

    A great little walk around the pond with some history. We visited Thoreau's little house. The walk is easy for children. There are some great spots to rest and have a picnic when not chilly.

    I would really recommend Walden Pond to people who would like to go on small walks. Also for people who like historical building. While they walk around they could also admire the historical building. The view was also really pretty and beautiful. I would really recommend this place.

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    What an amazing place to get away. Great waterfront, hiking paths and escape from the daily grind

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    Review Highlights - Walden Pond State Reservation

    Nearby, there is a giant pile of rocks where visitors who love Thoreau were encouraged to leave a stone.

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    Cat Rock Park

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    4.2(53 reviews)
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    Great hike! This hike is easy and the length is 1.2 mi, it might take 30 minutes to walk around…read more The huge surprise was that you can let your dog walk without the leash. A lot of people bring their dogs. This hike has a lake where your dog can swim. Nature is beautiful, when you are walking around you could hear the woodpeckers. The only problem is parking. There are not a lot of parking spots, and if you go there, there are only residents parking on the weekends. There is no additional parking available for people who just visiting the park.

    First time here, but I don't know a single person that hasn't recommended it without rave reviews…read more PROS: Trails. Great for off leash dog walking. There were tons of dogs roaming about, owners right on their heels, so no worries about unattended animals. Clean(er) ponds, since they're connected to flowing water sources. There was only spot we saw where the water seemed stagnant. Most everywhere else it was relatively clean. It's not crystal blue Caribbean waters, obviously, but for your dog to swim in, it's good. CONS: Parking seemed tight. Found a spot, but it looks like local residents are not happy about street parking for overflow, so there were signs prohibiting street parking. This was at the Drabbington entrance. I'm sure there's another entrance I don't know about. OVERALL: My new gold standard for off leash hiking.

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    Fawn Lake - Fawn Lake

    Fawn Lake

    4.0(2 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    Beautiful! How can you rate a lake? Well there are a few things that come to mind: rest area, bug…read morepopulation, accessibility, and swim-ability. Rest: there are places all around the banks to plop down or set up some folding chairs. There is lots of tree coverage and shade around the lake. Bugs: Plenty. (I think they're primarily baby dragonflies because it's Spring and 'tis the season) Accessibility: There's a parking lot! (G-d bless the 21st century in which natural areas come with parking lots) It also is along the Narrow Gauge Rail-Trail so it's accessible by a bike/walk path. You do need to do a tiny 1-minute hike down a small hill to get to the lake. Swim-ability: Rules for swimming are unknown. I can tell you that right on the edge of the lake, it's a little scummy, so I'm not sure it's appealing/a good idea to do so. No trash though! All in all, a wonderful lake to visit, might not spend the day here, but still worth the pretty views.

    Fawn lake is surrounded by a loop trail. It is still a quiet and pleasant trail to walk after…read moredinner. The scenery view is okay but not nothing special or breathtaking. It is an easy hiking trail with an accessible parking lot. The length of the loop trail is about one mile with marks. During the winter, the trail could be muddy after snow or rain. If you were looking for a stunning place, Fawn lake may not be the first choice.

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    Walden Pond State Reservation - parks - Updated May 2026

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