There’s A Tiny Town In Delaware Completely Surrounded By Breathtaking Natural Beauty
Laurel, Delaware is a small town of about 3,000 people in Sussex County. It’s a historic town located on Broad Creek, which runs from Delmar, to Records Pond, through the town of Laurel and out towards the Nanticoke River. Broad Creek itself is enough of a reason to notice the beauty of Laurel, so when you add in the stunning ponds and state parks that surround the town, it’s easy to see why this small Delaware town captures the hearts of so many.
The beautiful town was once a Native American settlement.
The settlement was known as Broad Creek Town during most of the eighteenth century, though its Nanticoke name is unknown. Nearly all the Native settlers left within 50 years, and the current town was laid out in 1802.
Because of its past, Laurel, Delaware has many houses and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Laurel was a potato farming town, as you can tell when you look at the list of historic buildings: the Chipman Potato House, Chipman's Mill, Collins Potato House, Hearn Potato House, E. L. Hitch Potato House, Moore Potato House, , Phillips Potato House, Ralph Potato House, Rider Potato House, Ross Point School, Spring Garden, Stanley Potato House, and Wright Potato House are all on the list! As you drive into town, you'll see many of the buildings still standing as they did hundreds of years ago. Pictured above is the notable Old Christ Church on the outskirts of town, near Chipman Pond.
Of course, talking about Laurel's beauty would be incomplete without a mention of Trap Pond State Park.
Trap Pond's Loblolly Trail made our list of top hiking trails in Delaware for a good reason. The park's trails take you around a gorgeous, ecologically significant pond that's home to impressive Bald Cypress trees, which are normally not found this far north. It will also take you to the Nature Center, where you can learn more about the diversity in the forest and water of the park.
Throughout Laurel, ponds and lakes are common sights.
Most of the river is over the border in Maryland, but from Laurel you're only a few minutes away from the historic Woodland Ferry, which will take you and your car across the beautiful river as part of one of the most underrated experiences you can have in the First State. Travel the Nanticoke Heritage Byway to see more of the beauty that surrounds Laurel and its corner of Sussex County.
You can even get away for as long as you'd like, surrounded by Laurel, Delaware and its natural beauty.
Trap Pond offers some of the coolest cabins in Delaware for a bit of a "glamping" experience, or you can rent out a primitive site and pitch a tent the old fashioned way. Regardless of how you choose to camp, spring is coming soon and you'll want to book your site before the weekends are all taken up.
No matter what the weather is like, though, a trip to Laurel is worth it for the scenery alone.
After you hike your trails, paddle the pond, or take in the views of Broad Creek, you'll want to check out one of the best restaurants in Delaware that's hiding in this town, too - Abbott's on Broad Creek. The outdoor seating means you don't have to step too far away from Laurel's natural beauty for long.
You can find Trap Pond State Park at 33587 Baldcypress Lane, Laurel, DE 19956, and you aren’t limited to just hiking! They rent out canoes, kayaks and stand up paddleboards. Call the DE State Park office at (302) 875-5153 for more information on watercraft rentals.
Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: kmagaraci@onlyinyourstate.com
