Walden Pond State Reservation

State park · Massachusetts

Autumn foliage at Walden Pond State Reservation
Photo: John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Thoreau's kettle pond in Concord rings itself in oak, maple, and hickory color by mid-to-late October. The 1.7-mile shore path is an easy morning walk, with the clearest light early and the fewest people on a weekday.

Don’t miss

  • Shore path loop
  • Thoreau house site
2026 Forecast

Peak: October 19–October 23

Color builds from October 8 · mostly bare by November 11

Color starts: October 8Peak: October 21Bare: November 11AugustDecember

Sampled at Walden Pond State Reservation’s own coordinates and elevation (51 m) rather than a regional average.

This window comes from 4 weather points across Massachusetts, nudged 3 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com and almanac.com. Massachusetts is running 2 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works

When to go to Walden Pond State Reservation

Good color holds through about October 30, giving you roughly 22 days from the first turn to past peak. That is about 1 day later than Massachusetts as a whole.

From Boston it is about 16 mi, close enough for a morning drive. Providence is about 43 mi out.

Walden Pond State Reservation on the map

Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Massachusetts, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.

More things to do in Massachusetts

See all things to do in Massachusetts →

Plan from a city

Boston · 16 mi · day tripProvidence · 43 mi · day trip

Frequently asked

When does Walden Pond State Reservation peak in 2026?
Peak color is predicted for October 19–October 23 (best estimate October 21). Color starts around October 8 and is mostly bare by November 11.
How do I get to Walden Pond State Reservation?
The closest city is Boston, about 16 mi away. It's part of Massachusetts's fall lineup.
See it on the map

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