Middle Run Valley Natural Area

If you haven’t been out to the trails at Middle Run Valley Natural Area, I have one question for you, what are you waiting for? It has everything that a outdoorsy person could want, 15 miles of hiking trails, a beautiful creek, over 170 different species of birds and other forest critters, and most importantly, it is free to visit year-round.

 

Middle Run Valley Natural Area, sometimes called the MRVNA, is known for mountain biking and the wide variety of birds in the area thanks to Tri-State Bird Rescue which is in Middle Run. The Valley is one of the best places to hike or ride bikes in Northern Delaware because of the hilly and bumpy terrain. It has the feel of an Appalachian Trail section from Pennsylvania, except it doesn’t require me to drive 3 hours.

Scattered throughout the trails are obstacles for mountain bikers to test their skills. These obstacles range from logs cut in half to be bumps to switchbacks and sharp downhill turns to stream crossings. As I don’t mountain bike, I don’t personally know how satisfying it is to ride these trails. However, every time I hike here, regardless of it being a nice sunny day or it being an overcast rainy day, I pass people who are riding these trails.

Considering the MRVNA is located between several parks, 2 of which are portions of White Clay Creek State Park, there are several ways to access the trails in here. You can access the main parking lot by taking the gravel road near the end of Possum Hollow road. You can also park at the Pike Creek Bible Church as they have an entrance located on the side of their parking lot. Hiking or biking down from Paper Mill Park in the north is also an option, so is walking the connector trail from Judge Morris Estate, there is a state park fee attached to that one though.

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When I come here, I like to park at the main lot and do a specific loop. This path will take you through some of the best things that MRVNA has to offer and is home to a handful of surprisingly scenic views. Whenever you come across a bridge in Middle Run, take time to stop and watch the creek. Watch as the leaves fall into the water and float past. Watch as the water carves a path through the rocks. Don’t forget to listen to the birds singing their favorite song. This area is special, and this path will show you that.

Out of all the places I have written about so far, this is the best location to bring kids. They might not enjoy the hiking and the walking up hills, but they will enjoy the streams and small wildlife. While the hills might make this place challenging, they also make it fun and give the MRVNA a good amount of variety that other areas in Delaware lack. I fully recommend this place to anyone and everyone. It is just that good.

Snake Island

Follow the White Clay Creek upstream into Pennsylvania on the Nature Preserve Trail and you will come across Snake Island. The remains of an old railroad bridge have created an island in the middle of the creek that is typically inhabited with snakes. Don’t worry, they aren’t venomous, and the remains of the bridge are still a cool area to explore without visiting the center island. 

Ophidiophobia, the fear of snakes, is one of the most common phobias in the world. When you consider how dangerous snakes can be, you’d be crazy not to fear them. Thankfully, in Delaware we don’t have many dangerous snakes, and the ones here at Snake Island are no different. Northern water snakes are the snakes that call this island home. They are non-venomous and quite passive, however, they can still bite you so be careful around them. 

 

I discovered Snake Island with some friends back in 2017. The goal for the trip was to find out if there was anything cool on that trail. Turns out, there was. We took some time to explore the entire Island and somehow didn’t notice any of the dozen snakes slithering around until we had been there for a couple minutes. It was a little scary but after learning what types of snakes they were, the area felt like a home and I was just a guest being invited in. I have been back here several times to take photos of the snakes and watch them from a distance. Seeing how they live in peace and harmony with their colony is a wonderful experience. 

It is not very difficult to get here until the final 15 feet or so. Park at the Chambers Rock Parking lot in White Clay Creek State Park and hike north for about a ½ mile. Be aware that since this is a State Park, there is a $4 daily pass fee for in-state vehicles and an $8 out-of-state vehicle fee. The path is well worn and flat so the only issues you will come across are going to be mud and mosquitoes. Don’t be alarmed when you cross into Pennsylvania, you will only be in PA for about 50 feet. You’ll know that you’re here when you hear the rushing water and see the old bridge supports crossing the creek. This is where the final 15 feet is, you then have to go down a steep but short embankment and rock hop some small boulders. After you do that, you’ll be looking out at Snake Island. If you want to see a nice video showing the area, I found this one on YouTube. That middle area with the supports is Snake Island.

Having been here in almost every month, there is no real best time to go for an overall experience, rather there are better times to go for specific things. If your aim is to see snakes, then you should try and go from April to June. That is the time when the northern water snakes are most active, it is also the time when they breed so be extra careful. The wintertime is the most peaceful time to go. Go just after a rainstorm or when it snows, the entire area will have a pristine glow to it that it doesn’t get any other time of year. 

I cannot recommend taking young children or pets here. However, a responsible and careful adult should have no problem maneuvering the island and trail easily. Please remember to keep our parks clean and to not disturb the wildlife in the parks. These snakes are for viewing and not playing. Here is a map of White Clay Creek State Park. Also, here is a link to the Delaware State Park website, you can find more info on White Clay, as well as other state parks in the area.