A small waterfall on the rocks in the woods in fall

Indian Well State Park

Shelton, CT

The park's plunging waterfall and gorge give Indian Well State Park its name, but that’s not even the biggest draw at this popular hangout. Located on the western bank of the Housatonic River, with a wide, sandy beach, and shaded picnic grove, the park is a perfect place to spend a lazy summer day. It’s also a perfect place for a not-so-lazy day any time of the year, with the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail traversing the park, bass, perch, and catfish fishing, and the only public boat launch on the river.

Fun fact: Indian Well was named because of the Romeo and Juliet-like Native American legend surrounding the Park's scenic waterfalls and the splash pool at the bottom of the falls. Despite the name, local Native Americans never actually used the area as a well. 
 

Views from the Park
Location

1 Indian Well Road
Shelton, CT 06484

Details

Open Daily
(8:00 a.m. – Sunset)

November – March
No vehicular traffic

Contact

Main (203) 735-4311

People rowing a boat in the fall (Instagram@rpungello)
Activities

Overview

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Know Before You Go

Large groups 

  • Obtain a bus permit to reserve parking for buses on weekdays. Visit reserveamerica.com
  • Buses are not permitted on weekends.

Boating

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Access details about the boat launch at Lake Housatonic.

Fishing

Hiking

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Connecticut Forest and Park Association Paugussett Trail Description.

Nature

Other

Picnicking

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Reserve an open air picnic shelter

Swimming

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Know Before You Go

Fees

FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles
$15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays)
$10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays)
$6 – Out-of-State Vehicles (After 4pm)
$112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass)

Accessibility

Field Sports

Picnic Shelter

Restrooms

Pets

Memorial Day – Labor Day
No pets in park

Maples Area
Yes, on leash