Indian Well State Park
Encyclopedia
Indian Well State Park is a Connecticut state park in Shelton
, Connecticut
, USA, which offers facilities for swimming in Lake Housatonic, picnicking, hiking, boating, and fishing.
Swimming and climbing on the rocks at the waterfall are prohibited.
There is also a picnic shelter (pavilion) available for rent at the park. Check the DEP's website for rental information. Reservations are handled by Reserve America.
, a blue-blazed hiking trail. The trail starts at Indian Well and travels north along the Housatonic River to the Stevenson Dam, then continues through Webb Mountain Park
in Monroe
and northwest up Boys Halfway River valley to East Village. The trail can be accessed at two locations in the park. The first is near the waterfall trail by the Maples Picnic Area. The trail starts on the left immediately after crossing the stone wall bridge on Indian Well Road. The second way to the Paugussett Trail is via the white trail which starts in the off-season parking area just past the gate to the park on the left-hand side of the road.
, Largemouth bass
, White catfish, White perch
, Yellow perch
, American Eel
, Sunfish
, Carp
, and Walleye
.
hosts rowing regattas. The Derby Sweeps and Sculls Regatta is held in the late spring, and the Head of the Housatonic Regatta is held in the fall. Spectator viewing of the course that runs past the park and some shell launching takes place from Indian Well.
in Shelton, Connecticut, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) north of downtown on the right.
Indian Well State Park
c/o Osbornedale State Park
555 Roosevelt Dr. Derby, CT 06418
(203) 735-4311
From Route 8 south: take Exit 14. Take a right and drive approximately 2½ miles. Indian Well State Park will be on the right.
Weekday fees
Weekend/holiday fees
Other fees
Bus = 30+ passenger capacity
Minibus = 13 - 29 passenger capacity (includes 15 passenger vans)
Full size buses require a permit. To obtain a bus permit, call Reserve America at 1-877-668-2267 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM)
Special Notice Regarding Alcohol: In effect for 2011 - The possession or use of alcohol is banned from June 11, 2011 through September 7, 2011 inclusive. Please do not bring alcoholic beverages and plan your visit accordingly.
Shelton, Connecticut
Shelton is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,559 at the 2010 census.-Origins:Shelton was settled by the English as part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, in 1639...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, USA, which offers facilities for swimming in Lake Housatonic, picnicking, hiking, boating, and fishing.
Swimming
A small swim area is provided at the beach. Lifeguards are typically on duty from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Although the body of water is designated a lake, it is still a part of the Housatonic River, and there is a slight current. Swimmers should use caution and be familiar with the park's beach regulations and swimming safety information. The swim area may not be available from after Labor Day to Memorial Day weekend. If the swim area buoys are not in the water, swimming is prohibited.Swimming and climbing on the rocks at the waterfall are prohibited.
Picnicking
Much of the main recreation area along the shore of Lake Housatonic is a picnic area. There are a large number of tables and grills throughout the park. If you plan to visit the park on a summer weekend, you may want to pack your own table and grill because the park can get very busy and they go quick.There is also a picnic shelter (pavilion) available for rent at the park. Check the DEP's website for rental information. Reservations are handled by Reserve America.
Hiking
Indian Well State Park provides access to the Paugussett TrailPaugussett Trail
The Paugussett Trail is a Blue-Blazed hiking trail "system" in the lower Housatonic River valley in Fairfield County and, today, is entirely in Shelton and Monroe, Connecticut. Much of the trail is in Indian Well State Park and the Town of Monroe's Webb Mountain Park...
, a blue-blazed hiking trail. The trail starts at Indian Well and travels north along the Housatonic River to the Stevenson Dam, then continues through Webb Mountain Park
Webb Mountain Park
Webb Mountain Park is a municipal park that offers hiking trails and campsites, located in Monroe, Connecticut.-External links:* - official site...
in Monroe
Monroe, Connecticut
Monroe is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 19,479 at the 2010 census. The current first selectman is Steve Vavrek....
and northwest up Boys Halfway River valley to East Village. The trail can be accessed at two locations in the park. The first is near the waterfall trail by the Maples Picnic Area. The trail starts on the left immediately after crossing the stone wall bridge on Indian Well Road. The second way to the Paugussett Trail is via the white trail which starts in the off-season parking area just past the gate to the park on the left-hand side of the road.
Boating
The park provides the only public boat launch to Lake Housatonic. The boat launch is only available during normal park hours (8:00 AM to sunset). (See DEP Boat Launch Information - Lake Housatonic, Indian Well). There is a 45 mi/h speed limit during the daytime and 25 mi/h limit from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. Boats are limited to minimum steerage speed within 25 ft (7.6 m) of the shore or docks and must keep 100 ft (30.5 m) away from the swim area.Fishing
The entire stretch of Indian Well's shoreline is open to fishing except for the swim area. Busy weekends are not always the best time for fishing due to heavy boat traffic. Be familiar with state fishing regulations and special regulations for Lake Housatonic. Lake Housatonic is a Bass Management Lake and Walleye Lake. Species of fish in Lake Housatonic include Smallmouth bassSmallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
, Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
, White catfish, White perch
White perch
The white perch, Morone americana, is not a true perch but is, rather, a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America.The name "white perch" is sometimes erroneously applied to the white crappie....
, Yellow perch
Yellow perch
The yellow perch is a species of perch found in the United States and Canada, where it is often referred to by the shortform perch. Yellow perch look similar to the European perch, but are paler and more yellowish, with less red in the fins. They have six to eight dark, vertical bars on their sides...
, American Eel
American eel
The American eel, Anguilla rostrata, is a catadromous fish found on the eastern coast of North America. It has a snake-like body with a small sharp pointed head. It is brown on top and a tan-yellow color on the bottom. It has sharp pointed teeth but no pelvic fins...
, Sunfish
Lepomis
Lepomis is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The most recognizable species of the sixteen in this genus is the Bluegill....
, Carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
, and Walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
.
Rowing
Each year the New Haven Rowing ClubNew Haven Rowing Club
The New Haven Rowing Club is a private, non-profit, rowing club on the Housatonic River in Oxford, Connecticut, United States of America. Founded in 1970 by Tony Johnson, Yale University Rowing coach, to allow him to continue training his athletes throughout the summer...
hosts rowing regattas. The Derby Sweeps and Sculls Regatta is held in the late spring, and the Head of the Housatonic Regatta is held in the fall. Spectator viewing of the course that runs past the park and some shell launching takes place from Indian Well.
Park hours
Connecticut state parks are open from 8:00 AM to sunset. Vessels launched from the Indian Well boat launch should be pulled out of the water early to ensure you have ample time to exit the park by sunset.Location and contact information
Indian Well State Park is located along Route 110Connecticut Route 110
Route 110 is a state highway in Connecticut running for from US 1 in Stratford to Route 111 in Monroe.-Route description:Route 110 begins at an intersection with US 1 in Stratford and heads north along the west bank of the Housatonic River, intersecting Route 15 before continuing into Shelton...
in Shelton, Connecticut, approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) north of downtown on the right.
Indian Well State Park
c/o Osbornedale State Park
555 Roosevelt Dr. Derby, CT 06418
(203) 735-4311
Directions
From Route 8 north: take Exit 14. At the end of the exit ramp take a left, and then take the next left onto Howe Avenue. Go north for approximately 2½ miles. Indian Well State Park will be on the right.From Route 8 south: take Exit 14. Take a right and drive approximately 2½ miles. Indian Well State Park will be on the right.
Fees
Parking fees are charged from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The day-use parking fee is only good for one parking space. If you leave the park, your space is forfeited and you will be charged for another one.Weekday fees
- Resident: $6.00
- Non-resident: $10.00
- Resident after 4pm: $5.00
- Non-resident after 4pm: $6.00
Weekend/holiday fees
- Resident: $9.00
- Non-resident: $15.00
- Resident after 4pm: $5.00
- Non-resident after 4pm: $6.00
Other fees
- Resident Season Pass: $67.00
- Non-resident Season Pass: $112.00
- In-State Bus: $101.00
- Out of state Bus: $150.00
- In-State Minibus: $33.00
- Out of state Minibus: $60.00
Bus = 30+ passenger capacity
Minibus = 13 - 29 passenger capacity (includes 15 passenger vans)
Full size buses require a permit. To obtain a bus permit, call Reserve America at 1-877-668-2267 (Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM until 4:30 PM)
Pets and alcohol
- Pets are not permitted in the main recreation area from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
- Pets are permitted in the Maples Picnic Area and on the hiking trails.
- Alcohol in containers smaller than 1 liter is permitted outside of the seasonal ban period.
- Alcohol is not permitted on the beach. It must remain in the picnic area.
Special Notice Regarding Alcohol: In effect for 2011 - The possession or use of alcohol is banned from June 11, 2011 through September 7, 2011 inclusive. Please do not bring alcoholic beverages and plan your visit accordingly.