Walden Pond

Walden Pond is a body of water in Concord, Massachusetts, that covers about 62 acres and is surrounded by forests and walking trails. The depth reaches over 100 feet, and the water stays clear and cool throughout the year.

A writer moved into a self-built cabin by the shore in 1845 and lived there for two years to reflect on nature and independence. His records later became an influential book about personal freedom and environmental awareness.

The name comes from Henry David Thoreau's time in a cabin by the shore, where he wrote about simple living and self-reliance. Today, readers from around the world come to see the spots that inspired his thoughts on nature and society.

The site opens early in the morning and closes at sunset, with visitor numbers limited during summer to protect the environment. A loop path around the water takes about an hour and passes through shaded forest sections and open shoreline areas.

The depression formed about 12,000 years ago when glaciers retreated and left large blocks of ice in the ground that later melted. This geological origin explains the unusual depth and round shape of the basin.