Perfect spot for a laid-back family adventure! Flowing Well Park in Carmel is a hidden gem for families looking to spend time outdoors without a big production. The open space, fresh air, and scenic creek made for a relaxing, fun-filled afternoon. Our kids had the best time splashing in the water, exploring the trail, and collecting cool rocks along the way. It felt like a mini nature escape right in town. Major parent win: there's a foot wash station at the entrance--so helpful when little feet are muddy but happy! There's also a picnic area to grab a bite to eat. We'll definitely be back for more sunshine and creekside exploring. Towels would probably be a good idea to have on hand. read more

Flowing Well Park - Happy feet, splashing in the creek! - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Lovely little park besties between neighborhood. Very easy walking trail if you are not looking for too much intensity. It would be a great spot for kids to play in the shallow creek or for dogs. We enjoyed our morning hike! read more

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If you frequent Carmel, there's no doubt you've at least driven by Flowing Well Park. In a city with quite a few parks, Flowing Well has the record for actually being Carmel's first public park under Carmel-Clay Parks & Recreation. This 15-acre park opened in 1994 and remains one of the city's more beloved parks. While it's not the biggest or really the best, it also remains one of my favorites in Carmel. As nearly every other review has mentioned, Flowing Well is perhaps best known for the presence of its artesian well. First discovered in the 1800s, this well still flows and you can bring your jugs/containers and fill up for no charge at all. As a side note, artesian wells are required by law to have their water tested quarterly. Carmel actually goes above this standard and tests it monthly. Testing results are even available on the park's web page. Flowing Well also features a mile-long nature trail with interpretive signage. Cool Creek winds its way through the park and is great for fishing or stomping. It's a relatively light, very shallow creek and is definitely great for those who enjoy stomping in shallow waters. Flowing Well also has lots of flowers, a public restroom, a shelter that can be rented, and a bike rack. Again, it's not the biggest park in terms of activities. If anything, that probably makes me appreciate it more. There are benches and picnic tables throughout the park. You can really take your time and enjoy things here. You're right on East 116th Street, however, and the park really becomes more peaceful the closer you are to the water. Generally, accessibility is fine here. Carmel tends to take accessibility seriously, though this is also a more natural park. So, if I'm being honest accessibility is probably more a 4/5. Overall, Flowing Well remains one of my favorite parks in Carmel. read more

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This park is such an amazing find within the city. First off, the concept of flowing well amazed me. I wasn't aware I would see so many people stop by just for ground water. I have used a filter all my life so it was interesting to see everyone stop and pick up water. The place originally was discovered for natural gas but in 1900s drillers dug up water. This led to flowing well. What was interesting about this was everything laid out about the historic flowing well. The park itself has been renovated recently and there are benches dotted throughout the hike and nice small bridges plus paved ways in the park. The flowing creek makes the walk even more beautiful. While it's certainly not the biggest park, it definitely is a neat one within the city overlooking beautiful homes and the streets itself. read more

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This is a nice little park with trails, especially good in hot weather since all the trails are shaded. My dog loves the water and there are several areas where there is easy access to water. The main attraction here is the artisan well. It's very popular and people bring gallon jugs to fill with the fresh clean water. read more

I was pleasantly surprised when I visited this park. Who knew that there was a place where you bring your water bottles and fill them up.....for free. Well, this is that place. There is a well, under a little white shelter, near the front of the park, where people bring water bottles, 5 gallon jugs, coolers and whatever else they got and fill them with the well's water. The park also has a decent sized private parking lot, a nice restroom facility, and a shelter with picnic tables under it. The highlight of the park though is its nature trail. Some of it is paved, but most of it is not. The trail is very nice and runs along a creek area that has many access points off of the trail that will get you down there. You will find benches along the trail that you can sit, rest and take it all in. They are nicely spaced apart, with none being too far from the next. There are also information placards placed along the trail as well to give visitors some context about what is going on in the woods. There are some protected areas along the trail, so, please do your part and avoid them. I really liked the trail. It was very picturesque (fall) and peaceful, even though it is borders a busy road. This park is a destination park for those looking for free water or a nice short nature hike. I really enjoyed this park and was glad that I was able to check it out....and on such a nice day was an added bonus. I highly recommend checking this place out. read more

Very nice relaxing area with great history. Nice place to get your water, but I don't think people read the sign there. It says don't drink the water unless you boil it, but people were filling up their cups and drinking it on the spot. read more

I can remember when I was younger coming here with my parents. Back then there was only one spout for water to come out. But for years I drank meijer spring water. But when covid hit they ran out of bottle spring water. When they did start getting it back in to me it taste like purified water and I hate purified water. So I remembered this place and now I get my drinking water from here just like my parents. I can't wait till spring so I can explore the park and walk the trails. read more

Flowing Well Park - Water freezing on the frame - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

The park was redone a year ago and I really like what they've done with it. There's lots of wildflowers everywhere, you've got the creek, the well itself is still there with some new filters, and they have little information signs that you can read about the flora and fauna. They expanded the parking so it's easy to find a spot even on a Sunday and there's also restrooms. They have benches dispersed throughout the trails, so if you're with someone who may need lots of breaks, that won't be an issue. read more

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We get fresh spring water here. They do keep it updated, healthy and clean. We took a quick walk in the park and viewed the creek from the walkways. It's very nice here. read more

This might be one of my new favorite parks around town! First off, they have a well here under the little white gazebo thing near the entrance. You can drink this water! And it's actually pretty good. We spent about an hour and a half here with our dog. He loved playing in the creek. I believe it is Cool Creek and this area of the creek is so clean. There were deeper parts where kids were swimming and tubing. There were sandy areas along the creek where people set up blankets and chairs. The trail system is pretty nice. They have signs along the way talking about the different varieties of trees and plants. Some parts of the trail are dirt, some are gravel and the very beginning is paved. There are a few bridges as well. Overall pretty easy to navigate. Next time we go here we're definitely going to bring a blanket to hang out by the creek. read more

Flowing Well Park - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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In the 1800s, Hoosiers found an artesian well that pumps 15 gallons of water a minute - hence the name, Flowing Well. It's not uncommon to see locals bring dozens of empty gallons and fill them up with the free water, or runners stop by to fill up their water bottles. Until I stopped by one summer day, I didn't realize there are some trails in the woods - turns out, it's 18 acres back there, running alongside Cool Creek. Who knew? I look forward to returning this summer and exploring this hidden gem in Carmel even further. read more

There were so many people here with empty jugs getting water from the flowing well. When one person would leave, another would come bearing jugs. I can't attest to the quality of water, as I'm apprehensive to drink water that's open to the public. (It's just in my nature to be circumspect like that about potential pathogens.) But considering how popular this well is, I'd say that the water must taste good. And it's free and cold, so there's that too. We didn't partake of the water, but we did a little creek stomping and rock throwing. There are trails and a bridge to walk along too. Flowing Well is a popular spot to bring young kids when the water in the creek is low and tame, because it's a good place for little legs to explore in nature. read more

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If you have been living and thinking like myself and so many others out there today, you are probably finding yourself a bit drained. Far more often than not we are too consumed with the "quick pace" of today's modern way of living. To many times have I been consumed with getting everything said and done in a timely manner. And let's face it, do any of us really ever get everything that we want to accomplished done every day? Or how about even just one day a week? If everyone were honest with themselves I am sure we would find that people today are less productive and happy then they have previously been in the passed. I believe this to be directly linked to a lack of being out in nature, amongst many other possible contributing factors. "What is the answer?" you may be asking yourselves. I can not presume to know all things or have all answers, but one thing I do know with a certainty is that people today are spending less time outside in nature then ever and it is having a drastically devastating effect on our society. So get up! Stretch your little leggies! Get outside and walk around. See what magic you can find. And if you also are looking for a living and clean water source please be sure to check out Flowing Well. This water is so clean and pure my family and I make it a point to stop by here at least once a week to fill up any empty water jugs. Don't forget to bring your furry friends along as well. While you are there please make sure to check out the river just a few minutes walk along a path passed the flowing well. There are quite a few nice spots to lay out a blanket and have a picnic or just relax. read more

Stopped here at this park for a stroll while out running. The name says it all. Fill up your water bottles and jugs for some good drinking water. The trails here are nice. Wade in the creek. Nice place read more

Flowing Well Park - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Flowing Well Park is a city park in Carmel off of 116th and Gray Road. It is mostly known for its artisan well near the main entrance of the park. But the park also has a series of mostly unpaved trails which are great to grab a quick walk in with your four legged friend. Even with the warm weather we've been having lately, you'll likely be the only one hiking the trails. For Pokemon Go Players: There are four PokeStops close to the parking lot/entrnace, but the nest migration Pokemon usually don't appear until you get a bit further into the park. There is also a gym near the utility building on the western edge of the property. read more

Flowing Well Park - Dog at one of the bridges - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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Come for the free water. Come back for the cool park to the west of the Artesian Well. Seriously, I didn't know what to expect at this place as I pulled up. I had seen the small white building with a few benches while driving by, but had not noticed the shelter and the trail that leads into a wooded area where Cool Creek meanders in an ever changing path. The path is paved until it reaches a bridge that spans the creek where it bends back on itself. But once you cross the span, the path is natural and not as friendly for anyone who is physically challenged. The path wanders in a loop around the trees. Inside the small white building, there is a circular area where a pipe comes up from the ground and distributes the water to four elbow pipes where you can fill your own containers with the water. The water currently flows at about 15 gallons per minute. It's a nice park for relaxing and taking a stroll in the shade. And remember to bring your own jug! Review #739 read more

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Right off 116th street this hidden gem is really cool. Whether you're out for a hike or filling up on the well water it's a really cool park. It looks small but extends really far back into the woods. The only thing--please be cautious if you're walking a dog. I was on my way back to my car with my dog when I heard a noise behind me. I turned yo see what I thought was a German Shepard off leash but then quickly realized it was a coyote. Needless to say I scooped up my dog and ran like a bat out of hell. That park is probably it's home so not it's fault we were walking around in it. So just be cautious and aware of your surroundings! read more

Love the way they redid it. It used to look outdated, but now it is brand spanking new. With great trails and and river flowing through it.

Peaceful, beautiful, great for kids. Bring water shoes, buckets, shovels, etc. Expect to have an excellent experience with nature. No playground. Nice restrooms, shelter. Be sure to have a taste of some refreshing well water at the entrance. read more

Went Sunday evening for an Earth Science project my son had for college. I've been a resident of Indiana for 39 years and this is my first time going. What a charmer! I had no idea there was a walking trail, bridges, and just such beautiful scenery. We also had fresh water from the well. It was raining which added to the ambiance. I love the rain! read more

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Cute little park. There's a creek that runs through it for the kids to play in. Lots of shade snd benches. read more

Flowing Well Park - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

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Flowing Well is an 18-acre oasis that sits on the north side of 116th Street, midway between the center of Carmel and the center of Fishers. This park is something of a well-kept secret (not as much so if you live in the immediate vicinity), which is unfortunate because it is so peaceful and shady here. One thing I like about this park is that it has retained much of the mature tree growth rather than having been cleared to make playgrounds, prairies and the like. On a hot day, this is still a nice place to be outside. The park offers fishing, picnic shelters and walking trails - some of the trail path is even paved, making it accessible to just about anybody. However, the thing that makes this park truly unique among the Carmel-Clay Parks & Recreation family is the flowing well for which it is named. A flowing artesian well is the highlight here and people come from miles around to fill jugs and bottles with the cool, refreshing water that bubbles up from an aquifer below the park grounds. The well was actually discovered by accident during a natural gas drilling expedition in the early 1900s. Rather than gas, the crew found the underground aquifer, which apparently created a small geyser when it was tapped into. The result all these years later: Carmel's very own public flowing well. One of the best ways to enjoy this park is to take your empty water bottle with you, fill it up at the well - which is conveniently situated at the park's entrance - and then take a hike on the trails. You'll enjoy beautiful foliage, flowers and Cool Creek along the way, as well as, that delicious FREE spring water! BTW: while dogs are welcome at the park - on a leash of course - they may not drink directly from the flowing well spigots so be sure to bring a small tupperware or other water dish for your four-legged companion :-) read more

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Great, small park in the middle of residential neighborhoods in Carmel. A river runs through it (actually, a stream). There's also a trail. And, of course, the flow well - an artesian well that flows constantly where people can fill their containers with water. There's a certain romantic aspect to that - harvesting your own clean water. Of course, I do that harvesting from my tap daily. But I acknowledge there's a qualitative difference doing that from a tap from the ground. As far as I know, this is the only artesian well in all of Indiana. read more

Pictures don't do justice for how beautiful this park is! In the summer, bring your bathing suit and water shoes to enjoy the clearest water in the midwest. read more

Flowing Well Park - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Free Water from a real spring!! No need to buy plastic disposable water bottles, you can refill them here. The spring house has spigots that flow continuously and you can just walk up and refill your bottle. I have 5 gallon bottles, but a father and his kids were refilling their personal water bottles while I was here. A family from Noblesville had over 50 - 1 gallon jugs. Have you ever turned on a city water faucet to the smell of chlorine? Well, this water smells great, tastes great and is naturally enriched with vitamins from Mother Earth. So quit buying bottled water and start a habit of visiting this park for your hydration needs. A small trail here winds along a creek and is worth hiking as it only takes 5 or 10 minutes. read more

Flowing Well Park - The park also has a shelter house. - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

Its closed right now because of construction, but it did look nice and woodsy and not too long of a hike. Its a very light trail.

Though it is a beautiful park, I would be very careful about the water here to me it seems a recipe for disaster unless you boil it first read more

I have passed this park hundreds of times and only knew about the Well part of the park. There actually is a nice trail area that goes through an area of woods with a creek. I would recommend it for anyone wanting an easy nature walk. The paths are not paved, so I would keep that in mind if bringing strollers or small children. read more

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Right in the midst of the busyness of 116th street in Carmel you can find this little park tucked away. First you have to notice the Flowing Well for which the park is made. At any given time, you'll see many people with jugs and jugs filling up the fresh, clean, naturally delicious well water to take home. You might also notice hard working construction workers there filling up their water bottles for the day. The water is cool and constantly flowing. Although it says not to drink it without boiling, you certainly can drink it right away. It's very cold and refreshing and tastes better than any bottled water on the market. The park itself seems like a tiny little brown county with some trails, bridges going over (I believe) Cool Creek. There are observation decks looking over various ponds and such. The observation decks are in need of repair. There were several loose boards that made me nervous. And it would be great if the ponds could be cleaned up a bit. A lot stagnant, algae filled water. The creek, however, is beautiful. It's so clear. There were several people on this hot day, stomping around in the creek looking for minnows for fishing later, trying to catch crawdads, and dogs running around. It was a delightful view from the bridge that overlooks the creek. The trails are wooded and you can't hear any of the traffic just feet away on 116th St. This is a great place to take a quick walk and get out of the hustle and bustle. And of course, to get a nice clean drink of water. read more

Flowing Well Park - Checking out the cool water - Parks Near Me - Carmel, Indiana

It's a adequate park, but it's very small and not as well maintained as many other parks in the surrounding cities. The well water was cold and tasted fine, but people seemed to use this park as a garbage dump. Maybe 1 out of 5 cars pulling in actually went into the park, all others filled the garbage cans. No hate on this park, just know that all it has to offer can be seen in about 10 minutes. read more

Nice little park with an aquifer that is always flowing. Four spigots make it easy to accommodate multiple people trying to fill bottles. A sign near the well indicates the water is tested monthly. The park itself is small, and parking is limited. Supposedly there are trails, etc., but I didn't see any (then again, I didn't really explore beyond the well, either). read more

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It's a great park. Take the trails and you'll feel like you've stepped into another world. It has become a very popular park since a certain AR game though. It's not uncommon to see people spend the day hanging out to protect some virtual point of interest or wander in and out of the trails. It can be extremely busy on nice days and parking is limited. Unfortunately this amount of traffic is taking its toll on the park and the trails. read more

Love my neighborhood water. Great mineral taste and hopefully no flouride?? Embarassed to share I haven't yet wandered them, I understand nice trails begin there, too. I'm usually in a hurry grabbing water, but with four faucets it's easy to get in and out quickly - if I remember a milk crate.. read more