Weekend itinerary

A Milford river, refuge, and bay weekend

Walk the Mispillion Friday, spend Saturday at Prime Hook and Slaughter Beach, then return downtown for dinner.

By Cal Mercer — a Second Star Guide itinerary

Use Friday for the Mispillion, Saturday for Prime Hook and Slaughter Beach, and Sunday for one final Milford stop.

Best length

2 nights

Arrive Friday, devote Saturday to Prime Hook and the bay, and use Sunday for the Riverwalk and checkout.

Stay

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Milford

Modern Milford hotel on Coastal Highway South with free breakfast and parking, EV charging, a 24-hour gym, and a…

Main activity

Mispillion River & Prime Hook

Prime Hook requires a drive east of Milford; choose one or two refuge trails and check current FWS access notices before leaving town.

Trip type

River-and-refuge weekend

Two nights cover a downtown evening, a Prime Hook and Slaughter Beach day, and a final Riverwalk before checkout.

Contextual downtown Milford streetscape
Begin beside the Mispillion and downtown blocks.
Contextual freshwater marsh boardwalk near Milford
Prime Hook's short trails cross marsh, forest, and pond habitat.
Contextual cafe breakfast in a small Delaware town
River Lights closes Sunday; use the final morning for the Riverwalk or another currently open coffee stop.

Friday

Walk the Mispillion before dinner

Check in, follow the Riverwalk through central Milford, and eat in town before the refuge drive on Saturday.

4:00 PM

Saturday

Prime Hook trails and Delaware Bay

Start with a refuge trail and observation area, check current access notices, then continue to Slaughter Beach if weather and daylight allow.

4:30 PM

Afternoon

Continue to Slaughter Beach or return downtown

Slaughter Beach adds open Delaware Bay shoreline. Skip the extra drive when heat, insects, storms, or refuge time fill the afternoon.

Sunday

Riverwalk and checkout

River Lights is closed Sunday, so choose a currently open coffee stop or walk the Mispillion before leaving.