One of the many, many reasons we love Kent County is because there are so many beautiful places, not only for exploring but also for ✨ photo ops ✨ We all know that memories are best when captured to remember forever — that's why we put together this list of the top Instagram spots in Kent County, Delaware! Have any spots to add or want to see your photo on our feed? Tag us @VillagesDE!
- Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
- St. Jones Reserve
- Killens Pond State Park
- Miles the Monster at Dover Motor Speedway
- Blackbird State Forest
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Three fun facts about this location:
1. It is one of the biggest tidal salt marsh areas left in the entire Mid-Atlantic Region!
2. They are currently in the process of building a brand-new Visitor Center, which will include new exhibits when completed.
3. The refuge is a nationally well-known birding destination, attracting many visitors from around the country, and is a designated "Globally Important Bird Area."
Whether you're a travel photographer or simply someone who enjoys exploring beautiful spots, the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is over 16,000 acres of mesmerizing open land and various habitats. This refuge was established in 1937 to provide migratory birds and other wildlife with a safe place for resting, breeding and feeding.
There, you'll find plenty of fun and wonderful opportunities for Instagram-worthy pictures, such as tidal salt marshes, mudflats, ponds, forests, upland fields, cordgrass meadows and woodlands. In addition to birdwatching, you're likely to come across wildlife like the red fox, different species of turtles, deer, beavers, frogs, nonvenomous snakes and salamanders.
Aside from taking gorgeous pictures in the area with wildlife all around, you'll also have great opportunities to explore five walking trails, a 12-mile wildlife drive, interpretive displays, hunting opportunities, nature and educational programs, and three observation towers.
St. Jones Reserve
Three fun facts about this location:
1. St. Jones Reserve features a brand-new walking path that connects to the John Dickinson Plantation!
2. It's open to the public year-round and features hiking trails and a boardwalk.
3. It also features a Visitor Center with hands-on interactive activities and interpretive exhibits.
The St. Jones Reserve is a 700-acre sanctuary. It's part of the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR) on the shore of the St. Jones River and is perfect for taking pictures! The reserve provides breathtaking scenery of a snaky two-mile nature trail with open fields of greenery on either side and beautiful tall trees blowing with the wind. It also has a boardwalk, giving you a wonderful view of the salt marsh and leading you to the adjacent wildlife management area.
Providing you with the opportunity to go on boat rides, tour displays, view interpretive exhibits and fish tanks, and explore beautiful hiking trails, St. Jones Reserve is certainly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Kent County if you want to make an adventurous Instagram post.
Killens Pond State Park
Three fun facts about this location:
1. Killens Pond State Park has a water park, hiking trails and a Nature Center and is (leashed) dog friendly!
2. You can rent paddle boats and kayaks from May through October!
3. The pond is 66 acres and the hiking trail around it is a 2.6-mile loop.
If you're looking to take gorgeous shots near ponds or anything water-related, Killens Pond State Park is the place to go. Killens Pond allows you to take the perfect pictures on paddle boats, kayaks, boats and canoes while navigating the waters. You'll also be able to hike a 2.6-mile trail that loops around the wide millpond, giving you a stunning view of the pond and surrounding trees. You may even find different species of birds, such as owls, woodpeckers and warblers.
The hiking trail will lead you to the magnificent Pondside Bridge. Upon crossing it, you may find water snakes hunting frogs and small fish or simply basking in the sun along the shoreline. Additionally, if you're looking to have even more fun aside from snapping some Instagram-worthy pictures, you can visit the park's nature center for a picnic lunch and view live animals that live in the area. You can also fish for sunfish, bass and crappie from the spillway and visit the nearby Killens Pond Waterpark to enjoy the colorful speed slides and leisure pool!
Miles the Monster at Dover Motor Speedway
Three fun facts about this location:
1. Miles is Dover Motor Speedway's official mascot.
2. Miles is holding a full-sized car in his hand!
3. He is the world's largest monster statue, sitting 46 feet tall and weighing 20 tons.
If you're visiting small towns in Delaware in April, the Dover Motor Speedway in Kent County is a must for anyone looking to take thrilling Instagram pictures! Aside from the NASCAR event the speedway hosts for three days at the end of April every year, it's also home to the 46-foot-tall hulking creature named Miles the Monster. The creators revealed the speedway's mascot in 2008 with red eyes and a racecar in hand.
When visiting, be sure to take some pictures with Miles and then attend the NASCAR event to enjoy the show and snap some awesome pictures of the racecars on the concrete oval track.
Blackbird State Forest
Three fun facts about this location:
1. It is a popular recreational spot for camping, picnics, horseback riding and more!
2. They offer a 2,200-foot trail that is paved for wheelchair accessibility!
3. Visitors can hunt and do catch-and-release fishing.
The Blackbird State Forest is one of the most beautiful places you could visit in Kent County, with over 6,000 acres of scenic woodlands. These woodlands feature an enchanting arrangement of shrubs and yellow-poplar, hickory, oak, maple and gum trees along 10 different tracks — perfect for an aesthetic Instagram post! And they offer so many more picture-perfect opportunities. You might get some great nighttime picture shots by staying at one of their eight campsites. During the day, you'll have fun opportunities to go hunting, fishing, picnicking, cross-country skiing, bicycling, horseback riding and hiking!
Plan Your Insta-Worthy Adventure in Kent County, Delaware, Today!
There are so many picturesque opportunities, and these beautiful places are just waiting for you to grab them! Whether you're native to Kent County or visiting for a few days, our friendly team at Delaware's Quaint Villages is ready to help you form your next journey. From thrilling Kent County events to the best places to stay overnight, we've got you covered with our visitor guide available to download! Feel free to contact us for assistance and get started on planning your trip today!
