Trip Planner: USA / Massachusetts / Concord / Walden Pond State Reservation

Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord

4.3

#2 of 8 in Parks in Concord

The scenic Walden Pond State Reservation is a popular site for reflecting on nature and learning about conservation history. Writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau lived here from 1845 to 1848, inspiring his book "Walden," which helped garner respect for the environment in the United States. The legacy of Thoreau and his book enabled the pond to achieve National Historic Landmark status, and it is credited as the conservation movement's birthplace. You can visit a replica of where Thoreau lived and follow a hiking trail to the site of the original cabin. Explore the surrounding forest, and, if weather permits, enjoy a dip in the clean pond water. In keeping with conservation efforts, the number of daily visitors is limited. To visit Walden Pond State Reservation on your holiday in Concord, and find out what else Concord has to offer, use our Concord trip planner .

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Walden Pond State Reservation Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

607 reviews

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4.5

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4.9

417 likes

By Charles L

Summer may get a little crowded, but v.good in any season. Visit the cabin site and leave a smooth stone at the cairn before you walk back to "The Shop at Walden" to peruse some Thoreau thoughts. Try ... more »
By Vicki A

WOW....this is an amazing place. I can see why Thoreau would have wanted to have his little cabin in these woods and overlooking such a pretty lake. Great place! more »
By OnAir471344

We didn't have much time in the area but I wasn't leaving without going to Walden Pond. So glad we stopped by. Also...don't leave without stopping in the gift shop. You'll be glad you did. more »

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By Joe Hutson

Visited during spring so it wasn’t very busy. Lots of bugs but good for a little hike. Visitors center is very modern with lots of gifts. Make sure to go inside the replica cabin and read some of his journals.

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By K X

Charged $15 for one-day parking. Easy access, though.

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By dMitri DeVos

This is my happy place. Enough said?

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By Ali Hasan

Good pond to swim with kids to take all heat off your body

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By Kamil Bojarczuk

The biggest dissapointment of this summer!! It pays off to come after hours of parking lot opening and be randomly let in by parking staff than come on time and take waiting line that the same parking stuff put you in. We wasted 2 hours of driving and waiting and were second car that did not make it after the parking lot closed.

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