At the trailhead, an open field once served as the Bradford Dyeing Association’s baseball field during the mill’s heyday. Beyond it, trails wind through woodlands and wetlands to the Pawcatuck River, blending natural beauty with layers of history. A roadway once used by farmers, Amtrak crews, and hikers still runs through the property, a reminder of its working past.

The southern interior is especially diverse, with clear streams, wetlands, gentle upland slopes, and mature forests that remain largely undisturbed. Stone walls, cellar holes, and other traces of earlier settlement add to the sense of history throughout the preserve.

Grills Preserve connects directly with The Nature Conservancy’s How-Davey Preserve, together offering miles of continuous trails that range from quiet forest walks to high overlooks above the river.