We LOVED out time visiting here!! If you love Thoreau you will love your visit. There is a Visitor Center. And, yes, make sure you walk around the lake. And especially in the woods where you will find the foundation to the home he built. SO cool! The replica of his cabin is right by the Visitor Center. If you are taking public transportation to Concord, I am not sure where it will let you off. The walk from town to the site is doable but will take a bit of time. There is a great little restaurant downtown that has the BEST homemade soup!! We have been there twice. Enjoy and just explore. That is when you will find cool things. I hope this has helped a little bit.

It’s on our system there is no person but if authorities come by and you don’t have a ticket from the park you might get a ticket from the park ranger

There isn’t an admission fee but you need to pay to park ($8 for MA plates and $15 for out-of-state or you can get a pass that’s good through the end of year $60 or $120 respectively)

Yes, you can park in the lot across from the pond and will need to cross the road to get to the pond. The recreated cabin and museum/restrooms/gift shop are on the parking lot side of the road. Enjoy!

I do not know. We arrived very early and parked very close to the Visitors Center.

No, dogs are not allowed, however during the off season I have seen some there. In terms of kayaking, others have answered your question in good detail about cleaning your kayak before using it in Walden Pond, etc. i do not think there are rentals there.

Yes, it is a very well carved, smooth dirt path around the lake. You can get to the replica of Thoreau's cabin on a gravel trail, but the rest is dirt and leaves, but a very easy trail to maneuver.

Yes, there are restrooms and they are clean and well maintained.

Even when it's crowded, it's not really "crowded" and that is very unlikely during the time of your visit. Temps: Still cool - daytime 60s to mid-70s this year. I live in the next town and I think you'll have a very pleasant time there as well as in Concord and/or Lexington if you go. Suggestions: - Lunch in Concord try Main Street Cafe. - Lunch in Lexington, try Via Lago on Mass Ave. - Dinner in Lexington, Artistry on the Green is one of our favorites. Have fun.

Get a lifetime senior (62) parking pass (MA residents) $10.