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Great park and pond! Parking is limited but a decent amount and it makes sure it not overcrowded! Walking the trails is worth the trip not just the pond itself and historical aspect obviously is really the cherry on top!
Henry David Thoreau's Walden pond. He spent 2 years, 2 months and 2 days here, fending for himself and living on the land. You can read his accounts and try to soak up all of his experiences and lessons learned. That is valuable. Visiting the actually physical location is the cherry on an already loaded sundae. The pond and surroundings are beautiful, clean and quiet. The 1.7 mile walk is relatively easy and flat now. We went off season so did not have to pay the exorbitant entrance or parking fees, but someone has to pay for its upkeep. Definitely worth a visit, long or short.
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.
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My mom and I stopped by Walden Pond when we spent a day in Concord a week or so ago, and it was a treat to experience it on my first visit to Concord. Walden Pond is a pond, not very different from ponds all over the country. What makes it special is its association with Henry David Thoreau. He lived in a cabin on the shore of the pond for two years, and the pond and his experience living there inspired one of his most famous works, "Walden; or, Life in the Woods." The park has a lot to offer. There are trails, including the Pond Path, which circles the pond. There are beach areas. There is a visitor center, where you can watch a short documentary about Walden Pond. There's a gift shop/bookstore, where you can buy a copy of Walden to read while looking at Walden. There's also the replica of Thoreau's cabin (you can also visit the site of the original cabin). My mom and I visited the Visitor Center, watched the documentary, and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the main beach. We saw tons of people hiking, swimming, boating, kayaking, and more. Walden Pond is a special place - a must visit if you're also visiting Concord for the first time. read more
3 months ago
The pond is a great place for solitude, but don't expect solitude on a weekend with warm weather. Everyone and their mother was out swimming, barbecuing, drinking, etc. While it's amazing to see everyone being active, I do wish part of the pond had a quiet area. There is a lot of construction and swimming, but it would be so nice for one small corner to be off limits to swimming and have benches just for a peaceful aspect. It's a beautiful area though and the visitor center is well done. Lots of neat information and a fun gift shop. read more
Great park and pond! Parking is limited but a decent amount and it makes sure it not overcrowded! Walking the trails is worth the trip not just the pond itself and historical aspect obviously is really the cherry on top! read more
Henry David Thoreau's Walden pond. He spent 2 years, 2 months and 2 days here, fending for himself and living on the land. You can read his accounts and try to soak up all of his experiences and lessons learned. That is valuable. Visiting the actually physical location is the cherry on an already loaded sundae. The pond and surroundings are beautiful, clean and quiet. The 1.7 mile walk is relatively easy and flat now. We went off season so did not have to pay the exorbitant entrance or parking fees, but someone has to pay for its upkeep. Definitely worth a visit, long or short. read more
1 year ago
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! read more
9 months ago
3 years ago
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. read more
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. read more
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. read more
2 years ago
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. read more
1 year ago
"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. read more
3 years ago
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. read more
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. read more
1 year ago
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. read more
4 years ago
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 read more
6 years ago
There's nothing like a trip to Walden Pond to make you happy to be alive. Although some spots like Thoreau's cabin and the gift shop were closed, the beautiful surroundings more than made up for it. A lovely little nature stroll gives way to a breathtakingly beautiful mini-beach with amazing views of the sunset. Lots of people were out enjoying the water and beautiful weather. It was simply amazing and very serene. If you're around this area it should not be missed. Why the deducted star you may ask? $30 parking for out of state people is ridiculous in my opinion. Certainly not the transcendentalist way, Thoreau would be appalled. But pro tip-a ticket for not paying for parking is only $25! read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Beautiful pond and had so much space to chill by the water. Definitely worth taking a trip out here to a family-orientated and historic location. Can't wait to come back if only they didn't charge so much for out of state parking! read more
2 years ago
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. read more
2 years ago
I get the historical importance of this place but I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed. Yes it is a pretty natural space close to Boston and a good place for a hike but it was not anything special for me. It was busy given it was a hot Sunday so there were many there to enjoy the water. The parking seemed a bit pricey but then again we were in the Boston area. Overall a bit disappointing . read more
Bring your swimsuits! A little rocky but cleaner than the ocean we did the day before. We were lucky to catch the gift shop open this particular day but they only allowed one group at a time in. Parking was a little outrageous. $10 for Massachusetts residents and $30 for out-of-state so if we had known that earlier we would have planned to spend more than 2 hours here. I came to see Thoreau's house he built and sadly the interior visit wasn't available due to Covid. Kids still enjoyed the trip read more
Beautiful walk around the lake. Crystal clear water in early fall and an easy stroll along its shores. Bonus to get to see crazy people swimming laps in the chilly waters! Visitors center is modern, well appointed, and interesting! read more
Nice local park. I didn't know anything about Wladen (excuse is that I am not American, and not into literature, and I am a scientist). It is nice forest around lake: only around lake is crowded, and once go further, literally nobody and peaceful forest is waiting. We made a big loop and hiked 8 miles. It is a nice short walk in the local. read more
5 years ago
Wow! The Pond Walk is lovely especially on a pretty day. Many folks enjoying the water; swimming, SUP, kayaking and lots of beach dwellers. We walked the loop twice. Gorgeous views. We will be back to explore further... read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Walden Pond is a beautiful area with a lovely pond of cold, cool water and forests of evergreen and deciduous trees. As a fan of Henry David Thoreau I was excited to visit Walden Pond during a visit to the area last year. It was lovely as Thoreau described it although the modern times have brought a lot of change to the area. No more is it isolated and cut off from modernity, instead Walden Pond is like an island in the sea of the modern world, with a busy highway running past it on one side and a railroad on the opposite end. During the summer when I visited the place was very crowded with cars and people everywhere, going to the pond for a swim. The business was unpleasant and took away from some of the area's tranquillity. But leaving the main swimming area and walking deep into the woods I escaped that crowds and much of the noise and bother disappeared. The woods themselves are very pretty and in the evening just before dusk, during the time photographer's call Golden Hour, it is exceedingly pretty. Unfortunately even away from the crowds you can still see where people have ruined some of the beauty of Walden Pond. Much of the forest has been trodden upon, plants and undergrowth smashed and trampled. You won't find much garbage thankfully, but it isn't uncommon. Despite it all Walden Pond was still very enjoyable to visit and I'm pleased I had the opportunity to go there. Should you be in the area you should definitely stop and take the opportunity as Thoreau did many times to walk through the woods. read more
I've been wanting to visit this location since reading "Walden" when I was younger. I finally had the chance to stop as I was heading home after leaving a friend's place that I had been visiting in Boston. About a 25 minute drive, maybe? I pulled in to park and started heading down to the pond, and I think the only thing that ruined the serenity of the experience initially was the smell of the bathrooms from the park office. The smell was... well, pretty horrible. That said, I picked up the pace, crossed the road, and headed down the path to the beach. I don't know what else I can contribute that hasn't already been said, but the area is beautiful. The pond is a retreat, and a small group of folks were still enjoying the water... swimming or kayaking through the calm. I walked the path (about 2 miles in its entirety) and enjoyed the foliage, chipmunks running next to (and across) the pathway, and took photos along the way while making sure to just enjoy the moment. As the sun was setting on the beautiful October day, I could understand why Thoreau had opted to retreat to this location and just... live simply. Clear waters, surrounded by the wonder of nature...how can you think of doing anything else? read more
8 years ago
I'm not the biggest fan of Walden Pond. Too many people. Too many rude people. The pond itself is beautiful and serene. And if you visit off season it is pretty easy to escape the crowds. Avoid this place like the plague when school gets out for the summer as well as every weekend during foliage. I come to walk around the pond. You can walk along the shore - but the beach is slanted and you will have to walk with one leg permanently bent at the knee. Or you can walk on the path - and be fenced in like a sheep chute - in an effort to keep people on the paths. I typically opt for uneven legs. You need to walk all the way to the back of the pond to escape the crowds. Stay to near the beach and you still run into idiots - people who set up camp on the rock stairs. Weirdo guys changing into their swimsuits using their towel as a cabana. Once you get to the back side of the pond - if you come off season - you should be able to find a quiet place to sit and think about transcendentalism. You can get your Thoreau on. read more
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