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Walden Pond State Reservation, Concord

4.3

#2 of 8 in Parks in Concord

State Park Water Body

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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.

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Walden Pond State Reservation Reviews

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TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

654 reviews

Google

4.5

• By anneo380

  Only Americans would call this a pond! It’s a lake, which you can walk all the way around, and has a few nice beaches. However, if the sun is shining you may find it rather crowded as it’s a very....  more »

• By Barbara H

  My sister wanted to spend her birthday doing something outdoors and this is where I took her in the morning. We enjoyed hearing a docent explain about Thoreau's life in the little cabin in the woods.....  more »

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Google

• By Allen Parsons

  Most Central Mass woodland parks are idyllic. Walden Pond is no exception. Hiking trails are well-maintained, and, for the most part, under canopies of towering trees. It's especially enjoyable to walk the trail around the glistening pond, about a mile and a quarter circumference. Two or three small public beaches crowd with sunbathers and swimmers in summer. All along the pond, small clearings appear sporadically on the shore, with space for intimate gatherings and activity (fishing, swimming, etc.). Tripping across the original site of Thoreau’s handmade house in the woods is treat, if you're into that sort of thing. Parking can be tough. Bring bug spray.

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• By Macy Li

  Very pretty when weather is nice. The trail around the pond is perfect for a afternoon walk without getting sweaty.

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