That time of year again for Walden Pond -- First Session: 5/22/13

Arrive between 5:00-5:30 pm in the boat ramp parking lot. Time off the water: Up to you or until park rangers yell at us to get off the water.

Cost: price of admission to Walden -- but do suggest you buy a season pass (35 bucks) if you plan on attending more than one session.

NSPNers will help you learn kayak skills such as wet exits, bracing, skulling, forward stroke, rolling, boat control, etc.

There is no charge for learning these skills other than the price of admission.

Try to wear cold-weather clothing in case you get wet.

If you have any questions or concerns, post here for a response.

Les

When did they start charging for access to Walden Pond?

When did they start charging for access to Walden Pond?

Was it ever free parking (except to the handicapped and seniors 62 and over)?

To mister "swim free or die" there is no cost for walking to the pond and swimming but parking is not free. The website says the cost of parking is $5 and does not mention any breaks for being an old fogey.

There are old fogey breaks. If you are 62 or older, you can get a free pass to almost all DCR properties (including Walden).

pru

Yes, Pru is correct-I have a free pass to all MA DCR facilities. Unfortunately I moved from being 6 miles South of Walden to Southern Maine. While life in Maine is as it should be, I do miss Walden. Have fun and wear nose plugs and ear plugs. One year in the summer I rolled without and received a wicked sinus infection that lasted for 6 weeks.

Walden Pond has charged for parking for decades--in the main parking lot across from the pond.

However, for most of that time, there was no charge for parking in the boat launch area, a small lot at the beach to the left of the main beach as you face the pond, beyond the retaining wall. The vehicle entrance to the lot and lanuch is south of the main parking lot; you drive down the slope to the water. You need a boat on your vehicle to use this lot, and there is room for a dozen vehicles at best. I don't remember an attendant at the gate to this lot, but there may be one these days. Seems they close this lot a bit earlier than the main lot, and it's possible to get locked in.

I've only used the boat parking once or twice in the past few years, so can't say if they have started charging for parking at the boat ramp.

Scott

They absolutely do charge at the boat launch, and they do ticket!

pru

Past a certain time, you do not have to pay for parking at the boat launch. However, it is much later than the designated arrival time for the skills sessions. What happened last year, if there was no one at the boat launch booth, often a ranger would check cars at the boat launch for parking passes. If there was not a pass, then they ranger would give a ticket. I forget the price of the ticket that one NSPNer got but I do remember it was not cheap.

So unless you intend to walk-in and carry/wheel a kayak - there is a $5.00 charge for parking or you can get a $35.00 seasonal pass (discounts for seniors). If you intend to buy a seasonal pass, you purchase it at the headquarters not the first entry gate.

As for Gene's comments on sinus infections contracted from rolling at Walden, I have never had that problem. But if you think it is a possibility or a concern, Gene's advice is a wise preventive measure.

In my prior posting, I equated admission fee with parking fee - my error. It is little or no difference to me because I drive to Walden.

Les

RE: Value of nose plugs

Of course is also the risk of the dreaded brain eating amoebas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naegleria_fowleri

Ed Lawson

RE: Value of nose plugs

Of course is also the risk of the dreaded brain eating amoebas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naegleria_fowleri

Ed Lawson

Unless Walden turns in to a muddy farm pond with soil stirred into the mix by farm animals the risks are REALLY small of catching something like this. Now spending your graduate school years working on a cousin critter....... but then I'm still here and the folks who know me say I'm not that much stupider after grad school.

best

Phil

Walden Pond has charged for parking for decades--in the main parking lot across from the pond.

However, for most of that time, there was no charge for parking in the boat launch area, a small lot at the beach to the left of the main beach as you face the pond, beyond the retaining wall. The vehicle entrance to the lot and lanuch is south of the main parking lot; you drive down the slope to the water. You need a boat on your vehicle to use this lot, and there is room for a dozen vehicles at best. I don't remember an attendant at the gate to this lot, but there may be one these days. Seems they close this lot a bit earlier than the main lot, and it's possible to get locked in.

My first year I asked, and was told you definitely need to pay to park in the boat launch area, even if no attendant is present at the gate.

I have always purchased my out-of-state season passes at the Walden Pond main parking entrance.

If you intend to buy a seasonal pass, you purchase it at the headquarters not the first entry gate.

Edited May 14, 201312 yr by billvoss