08/10/2025
Hershey Pup and I discovered and explored another nature preserve nearby today! 🥾 🥾 🐾 🐾 🐶
Abbott’s Mill Nature Center and Preserve of Abbott’s Pond Road, Milford, DE. It is owned and managed by the Delaware Nature Society.
Its centerpiece is the Abbott’s Mill, originally built around 1802. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. The mill itself is open to tour on the 3rd Saturday’s until November, so we need to go back to check it out.
We hiked several miles of very nice trails! There are trails on both the north and south sides of Abbott’s Pond Rd., all starting from the mill facility.
The trails were well-maintained, both in deep, shaded woods and throughout several open meadows. The north side trails include a very accessible boardwalk trail that parallels the stream. Trail markers were in place and at the main parking lot kiosk, you can easily download the two trail maps (for both the north and south trails).
There is also kayaking and canoeing on Abbot’s Pond across from the mill. Put-ins are at a small dock on the nature preserve property, as well as across the pond at a DNREC State boat ramp launch facility.
Adjacent the mill complex is Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. It’s only open Wed/Thurs/Fri, so we couldn’t check that out (we’ll go back for that, too!).
So glad we’ve found this gem only 16 minutes from our property. It will be a go-to hiking venue for me and Hershey year-round!
Jeanne Gage Anderson
