Indian Well State Park
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $15 ($10 nonresident)Annual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Not stated — check with park
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- ctparks.com(203) 735-4311
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Indian Well State Park is a 160-acre park in Naugatuck Valley Planning Region County, about 2 miles northwest of Derby.
The park supports snorkeling and diving, historic sites, boating, swimming, and biking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – sunset | — |
Official wording
Open Daily (8:00 a.m. – Sunset) November – March: Closed to vehicular traffic Open to walk-ins only
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| FREE – In-State Registered Vehicles (resident) | Free |
| $15 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekends/Holidays) (nonresident) | $15 |
| $10 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Weekdays) (nonresident) | $10 |
| $6 – Out-of-State Vehicles (After 4pm) (nonresident) | $6 |
| $112 – Out-of-State Vehicles (Season Pass) (nonresident) | $112 · year |
Official wording
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)
Connecticut park passes
- Passport to the Parks — free parking for CT-registered vehicles (funded by an $8/yr vehicle registration fee from July 1, 2025). Day-use parking at all CT State Parks and Forests Details
- Out-of-state vehicle season pass — $112. Season parking for out-of-state vehicles (as listed on park fee boxes) Details
From the Connecticut state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (connecticutstateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-668-CAMP (2267)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
BikingBoatingFishingHikingHistoric sites and toursPicnickingSnorkeling and scubaSwimming
Trails
Connecticut Forest and Park Association Paugussett Trail Description.
Swimming
Know Before You Go
- Current Water Quality Report (updated weekly, Memorial Day – Labor Day)
- Beach Regulations and Swimming Safety Information
Boating and paddling
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Boating and Paddling
Access details about the boat launch at Lake Housatonic.
KAYAK AND PADDLEBOARD RENTALS AND LESSONS
Kayak, tandem kayak, and paddleboard rentals are now available for the 2026 Season. Rental services are provided on site by Scoot and Paddle (contact info below). Please be aware that rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and that rental operations close for inclement weather.
AVAILABILITY
- 3rd Saturday of April - Memorial Day: by appointment only for group events, weather dependent on weekends. Check Scoot and Paddle website (linked below) for availability.
- Memorial Day - June 30: Weekends and holidays, 11am-6pm
- July 1 - August 31: Daily, 11am-6pm
- September 1 - Labor Day: Weekends and holidays, 11am-6pm
- After Labor Day - 4th Tuesday in October: by appointment only for group events, weather dependent on weekends. Check Scoot and Paddle website (linked below) for availability.
Read more from the park
RENTAL AND LESSON RATES
Singe seat kayak or paddleboard
Hourly Rate: $30 per hour, $20 for each additional hour
Half Day (up to 4 hours): $75
Full Day (open to close): $95
Tandem kayak
Hourly Rate: $45 per hour, $20 for each additional hour
Half Day (up to 4 hours): $90
Full Day (open to close): $110
Group paddles
Single kayak or paddleboard: $30
Tandem kayak: $45
Lessons
Paddleboard Private Lesson: $125
Paddleboard Group Lesson: $75
Intro to Kayak lesson: $50
Reservations and walk-up rentals are available.
Accepted forms of payment: major credit cards, ApplePay, and cash.
RENTAL QUESTIONS?
Paddlecraft rental services are provided by Scoot and Paddle
85 Broadway, Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-506-5402
Website: Scoot and Paddle
Fishing
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Before heading out, be sure to check the latest water conditions and fishing regulations.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Picnic areas
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Field Sports
Picnic Shelter
Restrooms
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Rules and permits
- An alcohol ban is in place at Indian Well State Park
- Bus Permits are required for mid-size and full-size buses seating 30 or more passengers
- Trail Map
- Trail Map - Mobile
Getting there
- Address
- 1 Indian Well Road
Shelton, CT 06484 - Nearest town
- Derby — about 2 mi northwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 41.3416, -73.1240
- Phone
- (203) 735-4311
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Connecticut State Parks and Forests — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- DEEP 'Find a Park or Forest by Name' list (portal.ct.gov) merged with the ctparks.com ParkFinder search service
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology