Walden Pond State Reservation — Attraction in Concord

One of the coolest stops on the most epic road trip was Walden Pond, where I immersed myself in the world of Henry David Thoreau. This place, immortalized in Thoreau's work, "Walden," is a sanctuary and bucket list experience those seeking a deeper connection with the world around them and history lovers.

Henry David Thoreau's teachings on simple living and the importance of nature still resonate strongly today. His timeless words remind us to slow down, simplify, and find solace in the natural world. Visiting Walden Pond, I was reminded of the profound impact this place had on his writing, and how it continues to inspire us all to appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

In our fast-paced lives, Thoreau's wisdom is a gentle nudge to cherish the simple moments, like the ripples on the pond, the rustle of leaves, and the songs of birds. If you haven't visited Walden Pond, I highly recommend it for an escape that will leave you feeling reconnected with nature and inspired by the words of a literary legend.

Walden Pond State Reservation is a 335-acre state park and recreation site managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. The reservation was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1962 for its association with the writer Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862), whose two years living in a cabin on its shore provided the foundation for his famous 1854 work, Walden; or, Life in the Woods. The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 ensured federal support for the preservation...

To the people that left the pile of chicken bones by the rock wall at Walden Pond today, you are not very considerate. Or possibly just don't care. You probably will never read this. But I wanted to let you know everyone around watched a group of 5 geese begin to try and eat them...

I am an animal lover. So I intervened, wrapped up, & tossed your trash for you. That could have possibly killed or hurt these geese. They were very mad with me, to say the least. They all tried nipping and attacking me for stealing their well earned feast! 😤

We had a great time otherwise! We love Walden Pond on weekdays. Especially during after hours (6-730pm.) Free parking after 6pm on weekdays in the on season. 8$ day parking for MA residents. Lots of parking too! Though it fills up fast on the weekend.

Walk down or around the pond a bit for your own private stretch of beach. Though this place is always pretty crowded, it's a great spot for swimming, sunbathing and hiking. Especially for open swimming. There is a lot of that there. I brought my 25 month old. The water was so warm and the perfect temp for younger kids to stay there all day (July 29 2022.)

Wicked rad spot!

Green pond pics are from 8/21/22, I just added them...

This park is great to visit during all seasons! (It's simply a beautiful sanctuary and any visitor will appreciate the the space when the weather gets colder since less people translates to more serenity.) Suggestions: call when there's snow on the ground to ask for the trail conditions since the main trail loop around the pond will be icy - even for experienced hikers. Also, call during the summer - they will have a recording stating if the park has reached its capacity and will mention a time that it will reopen to the public. (If the parking lot is full, they won't allow drop-offs. They're strict about preserving the area.) They have built a new state -of-the-art green visitor center (finally) to meet the needs of large volumes of visitors in the summer and fall. The center will open soon (October?) It's a magical and sacred space to the locals, the 'regulars,' and new visitors. There is always something to inspire anyone: the trees, the pond, the trails, the people (definitely the swimmers), the creatures, and perhaps the story of Thoreau. ♡ Walden P.S. keep the dogs and horses at home... not allowed...