Spout Spring, Shoals, IN 47581

## Overview Spout Spring is a public drinking spring located along the roadside in rural Martin County, Indiana, near the small town of Shoals. Situated at the intersection of Gun Shop Road and the surrounding countryside, this spring features a spout-style flow that has historically served as a convenient water source for locals and travelers passing through the area. Martin County is known for its karst topography — a landscape shaped by the dissolution of soluble bedrock like limestone — which gives rise to numerous natural springs throughout the region. Spout Spring is one such feature, delivering water that has been naturally filtered through layers of Indiana limestone. The spring has been reported as a public drinking water source by area visitors, though water quality can vary with weather and seasonal conditions. Shoals, the county seat of Martin County, sits along the East Fork of the White River and is a gateway to outdoor recreation in southern Indiana, including nearby attractions like the Jug Rock natural formation and portions of the Hoosier National Forest. ## Directions 1. Head toward the town of Shoals in Martin County, Indiana. 2. Locate Gun Shop Road (near the address 6399 Gun Shop Road, Shoals, IN 47581). 3. The spring is found on the roadside — look for the spout along the edge of the road. 4. GPS coordinates: **38.655038, -86.804851** — use these for precise navigation, as the spring can be easy to miss. ## What to Expect Spout Spring is a roadside spring with a spout-style outlet, making it easy to fill bottles or jugs directly from the flow. The setting is rural and quiet, surrounded by the wooded hills and rolling terrain characteristic of southern Indiana's unglaciated landscape. There are no formal facilities at the site — this is a simple, no-frills natural spring on the side of the road. Because the spring is roadside, access is straightforward and does not require any hiking. Visitors should pull safely off the road when stopping. Water flow may vary seasonally, with stronger output typically following periods of rain. As with any natural spring, the water has historically been used for drinking, but conditions can change — visitors should be aware that water quality is not officially monitored at this location. The area around Shoals offers additional points of interest for those making the trip, including Jug Rock (one of the largest free-standing table rock formations east of the Mississippi River) and access points to the Hoosier National Forest for hiking and exploring.