Abbott’s Mill Nature Center encompasses a picturesque pond surrounded by meadows, streams, woodlands, swamps, wetlands, a historic gristmill, and a modern education building. At the heart of Abbott’s is the 377-acre Milford Millponds Nature Preserve, where 6 miles of free hiking and paddling trails wind their way through woodlands to meadows as wildflowers, birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, an
d insects flourish. Additionally, our 109-acre Marvel Saltmarsh Preserve, located in the Town of Slaughter Beach, is used for seasonal education programs and hosts an accessible Scenic Byway Boardwalk. Built in 1795, and on the National Register of Historic Places, Ainsworth Abbott’s Mill is a preserved, working gristmill run solely by a water turbine, and features both a stone & roller mill operation. Public tours of the Mill are offered every 3rd Saturday, March – November, from 1 - 4 pm; private tours are available by appointment. Educational programs for the public, schools, and scouts are offered year-round for all ages. Our Visitor Center is pet friendly and offers a variety of free exhibits. Abbott’s serves as a partnership between the Delaware Division of Historical & Cultural Affairs, the Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Delaware Nature Society, a state-wide non-profit organization whose mission is to improve our environment by connecting people to the natural world through education, advocacy, and conservation. DelNature Members receive reduced pricing for programs, priority buying at Native Plant Sales and Summer Camp, discounts at local retail affiliates, and more benefits. We are located just 4 miles from downtown Milford, DE, at 15411 Abbotts Pond Road, off Rt. 36. The Visitor Center is open year round Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (weekdays vary seasonally), and during April – October on Saturday from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Trails are open for hiking and (leashed) dog walking every day from dawn to dusk, including a 5K cross-country trail adjoined to Blair’s Pond and our accessible Johnson's Branch Boardwalk Loop. Per DE Fish & Wildlife regulations - bikes, motorized vehicles, and horses are not permitted on our trails. For more information, visit www.delnature.org/abbotts or call 302-422-0847.
