Flowing Well Park

Natural Oasis

Tucked away at 5100 E. 116th Street in Carmel, Indiana, Flowing Well Park offers a peaceful 15-acre escape from the bustle of everyday life. This quiet spot, which opened in 1994 as Carmel Clay Park & Recreation's first public park, features a tranquil atmosphere and unique artesian well.

The park invites you to reconnect with nature through hiking, creek stomping, fishing, or simply gathering water from the famous well. It's one of those places locals tend to keep to themselves - a genuinely quiet location within the city limits.

The Legendary "Old Faithful"

At the heart of the park stands the historic "Old Faithful" artesian well, which has been bubbling away since its discovery in 1904. You'll often spot people lined up with empty containers to collect free, fresh water that locals consider particularly good-tasting.

Just a heads-up: while the City of Carmel's Water Department tests the water monthly, it's still untreated groundwater, so you should boil it before drinking. The well has been flowing continuously for over a century.

Trails and Creek

Feel like stretching your legs? The park features a one-mile soft surface nature trail that meanders through wooded areas alongside Cool Creek. Along the way, interpretive signs share facts about the local ecosystem and conservation efforts.

Cool Creek itself is a major draw, especially for families looking to cool off on hot days. The creek has both shallow areas for toddlers and deeper sections reaching waist height. Fishing enthusiasts might catch creek chub, sunfish, or bass - nothing trophy-sized, perhaps, but definitely fun to catch and release.

Creek Play Area

The creek play area is popular with children and adults alike. The creek bed features smooth stones that are surprisingly comfortable to walk on barefoot, however water shoes might be a good idea for little ones or those with tender feet.

Bring along some buckets, shovels, and nets if you want to join the local tradition of catching crawdads, hunting for seashells, or observing the tiny fish darting between rocks. One of the best things about this spot is the natural canopy of trees providing shade, making it a refreshing retreat even during the hottest summer days.

Seasonal Beauty

In spring, wildflowers including Virginia bluebells, bloodroots, and yellow trout lilies cover the forest floor.

The park has many mature trees, including large sycamores that shade the trails. Keep your eyes peeled as you walk - you're likely to spot various birds and small woodland creatures going about their day.

Amenities

Don't worry about roughing it too much - the park offers clean, temperature-regulated restrooms that are well-maintained and accessible. When lunchtime rolls around, head to the covered picnic shelter with tables, or try out the open grill area if you're feeling like a cookout.

Amenities include a seasonal foot wash station near the creek entrance, drinking fountains, water bottle filling stations, and benches along the trails.

Note that while the front paths near the entrance are paved and accessible, the nature trails aren't wheelchair-friendly, so plan accordingly if mobility is a concern.

The park welcomes visitors daily from 7AM to 9PM. Four-legged friends are welcome too, but remember they need to stay on leash at all times - for their safety and everyone else's enjoyment.