Ashland Nature Center
Delaware Nature Society's headquarters — trails, a Butterfly Habitat, and the best nature programs in NCC.
The Quick Version
- • Delaware Nature Society's headquarters in Hockessin. 130+ acres of meadows, woods, and streams.
- • The seasonal open-air Butterfly Habitat (typically July–August; netted enclosure was removed starting 2024) is the headline draw for little kids.
- • Trails run from very short and stroller-friendly to longer dirt loops for older kids.
- • Drop-in trail access is free; some programs and the Butterfly Habitat may have a small admission.
Best Ages
All ages
Plan For
1-2 hours for a casual visit, longer for programs
Admission
Free
What to Expect
Ashland is a working nature center, not a flashy attraction. The main building is a renovated farmhouse with a small natural-history exhibit, a kids' discovery area, and a window onto the bird feeders out back. That's enough to keep most under-5s engaged for 20-30 minutes before you head outside.
The trail network is what makes Ashland a real destination. The Meadow Loop is the easiest — paved and grass paths through pollinator habitat, about 15-20 minutes with a slow toddler. Sugarbush Trail is a longer dirt loop through woods (about a mile, gentle elevation) — better for elementary kids. The stream and pond areas are where DNS runs its hands-on programs.
The Butterfly Habitat is the headline summer attraction. It's an outdoor habitat with native species, best July through September. Plan to spend 15-30 minutes.
The real moat here is the programming. DNS runs preschool nature classes, family programs on most weekends, drop-in pond dipping in summer, maple sugaring weekends in late winter, and summer camps that are widely considered the best in NCC. Check the calendar before you go — visiting Ashland with a program in mind is much higher-leverage than just showing up.
The vibe is quiet, naturalist, and a little crunchy in the best way. You'll see lots of grandparents-with-grandkids, homeschool families, and serious birders.
Did You Know?
The Butterfly Habitat isn't netted anymore — Delaware Nature Society pulled the enclosure starting in 2024, so it's an open-air native-species habitat now, and July through September is the window when there's actually anything to see.
Who It's Best For
Babies and toddlers: Butterfly Habitat, the meadow loop, animal exhibits inside the main building. Preschoolers: pond dipping during programs, Butterfly Habitat, Sugarbush Trail. Elementary: longer trails, summer camps, naturalist programs. The DNS programs are excellent across all ages — story walks for toddlers, hikes for older kids, summer camps run all summer.
Highlights
Butterfly Habitat (seasonal)
Ages 2+Outdoor habitat with native butterflies. Peak window is July through September. Free admission. Magical for little kids — they'll talk about it for weeks.
Meadow Loop
All agesThe easiest path — short, mostly flat, stroller-friendly. Bird boxes, pollinator plantings, and open sky. About 15-20 minutes for a casual loop.
Sugarbush Trail
Ages 4+About a mile through woods with gentle hills. Past the maple grove that DNS taps each February. Dirt path, not stroller-friendly but fine for steady walkers.
Indoor Discovery Area
Ages 2-8Small exhibit in the main building — live animal displays (turtles, snakes), window on bird feeders, and a few hands-on stations. 20-30 minutes if your kid is into it.
DNS Programs
All agesThe reason to plan ahead. Family hikes, pond dipping, maple sugaring weekends in late winter, and bird walks. The summer camps are the most respected in NCC. Check the DNS calendar before you go.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Longer trail loops past Sugarbush — they get rugged and aren't worth the effort with toddlers.
- • Trying to visit when the Butterfly Habitat isn't open and there's no program. Without those anchors, it's a quick stop, not a destination.
- • The trails right after heavy rain — they get muddy and the streams swell.
Logistics
Admission
Free admission
Nature center entry, trails, and Butterfly Habitat are free for members and non-members. Drop-in programs, guided hikes, and summer camps are ticketed separately.
Membership tip: A DNS family membership pays for itself fast if you do more than one program a year — discounted programs, free Butterfly Habitat, and access to Coverdale and the Delaware Estuary Education Center for the same membership.
Getting There
Parking
Free gravel lot at the main entrance. Plenty of space on weekdays; can fill on program days.
If the lot is full on a weekend program day, there's usually overflow parking signage. Otherwise just wait — turnover is fast.
Entrance
Main building (the old farmhouse) at the head of the lot. That's where you check in, pay for any programs, and find the trail map.
Parent Logistics
The Meadow Loop and short interpretive paths near the main building are stroller-friendly. The Sugarbush Trail and longer woodland trails are dirt, rooty, and uneven — bring a carrier for anything past the meadow.
Clean restrooms in the main building. Limited or no facilities on the trails themselves — plan accordingly.
Changing table available in the main building restroom.
Mixed. The meadow paths are open and sunny — bring hats and sunscreen. The woodland trails are well-shaded. The Butterfly Habitat is an outdoor enclosure — warm in midsummer afternoons.
Food & Snacks
No food on-site. No food service. Picnic tables outside the main building are open to visitors.
Snack strategy: Pack a picnic. There are several picnic tables and benches around the property. Hockessin's small downtown is 5 minutes away if you need a proper meal.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Look at the DNS calendar before you drive over. A scheduled drop-in program turns a quick stop into a real outing.
- ✓ DNS family membership is one of the best-value memberships in NCC — it gets you into Ashland, Coverdale, and the Delaware Estuary Education Center, plus discounted programs.
- ✓ Butterfly Habitat is hottest mid-afternoon — go in the morning if your kids hate heat.
- ✓ Maple sugaring weekends (late February into early March) sell out — book those tickets the day they go on sale.
- ✓ Bring binoculars if you have a kid into birds. The feeders by the main building are reliably busy.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Apr-Oct the visitor center is open daily (Mon-Fri 9-4, Sat-Sun 10-3). Weekend mornings work well if there's a program. July through September for the Butterfly Habitat — that's the peak window and worth planning around.
Seasonal Notes
Visitor center open Apr-Oct, Mon-Fri 9 AM-4 PM and Sat-Sun 10 AM-3 PM (confirm at delawarenaturesociety.org). Butterfly Habitat is an outdoor habitat, best July through September. Maple sugaring in late winter (Feb-Mar). Pond and stream programs run spring through fall. Trails open year-round, dawn to dusk.
Rainy Day?
Limited indoor space — about 30 minutes max in the main building's discovery area. Pair with the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science (15 min drive) for a full rainy day.
While You're in the Area
Mt. Cuba Center is a 10-minute drive — both are nature-center stops and can be combined for a longer morning. Downtown Hockessin (5 min) has Back Burner Restaurant and a couple of cafes for lunch.
Upcoming Events
Verified against the venue’s official info.
Last reviewed May 20, 2026. Prices re-checked May 20, 2026. Confirm anything dated (admission, hours, special events) on the venue’s own site before you drive.
Sources: delawarenaturesociety.org , delawarenaturesociety.org