Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center

Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center located in southwest St. Louis County is an absolute treasure. It’s nearly impossible for me to take a walk in the nature center without having flashbacks to a past trip with one of the kids. Katie loved hiking the trails, and we have some fantastic photos of a family hike on one of the trails with fall color in all its glory. Billy obsessed over really every exhibit inside the nature center, especially the snakes as well as the large aquarium. Ben always enjoyed the digital media stations and the videos. Daniel pretty much ran around like he owned the place. And mom and dad loved that we had a place close to home to get the kids out of the house, in good weather and in bad.

Katie, Billy and Ben circa 2008 at Powder Valley

Katie, Billy and Ben pre-Daniel on the trail at Powder Valley

Two-year old Daniel with frog outside the nature center

Powder Valley is a 112-acre wooded wildlife refuge and is operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation. It is located near the busy junction of Interstate 44 and Interstate 270. While there are 3 short walking trails on site, the nature center itself is the centerpiece attraction. The nature center is home to many exhibits, taxidermy specimens, live reptiles and fish, an active honeybee colony, and a birdwatching station. Of course there are also classrooms, an auditorium, reading rooms, and a small gift shop. The MDC really uses the space well in its effort to promote outdoor education.

Bird exhibit at Powder Valley

Missouri Monarch at Powder Valley

View of the bird feeders at Powder Valley

Fish exhibit inside nature center

I can’t even begin to tell you how many times Debbie and I took the kids up to Powder Valley, often on a cold day when we needed a break. Sometimes we would sit by the fire and watch the busy bird feeders. Others we would find a book to read or small craft to do in one of the reading areas. Or we would try to find the queen bee in the bee hive. But usually we just wandered and enjoyed the variety and quality of the exhibits. In nicer weather we would tackle one of the family friendly walking trails on the property.

Fall color at Powder Valley

Each trail at Powder Valley is a paved loop winding through the oak, maple, and hickory forest.

Hickory Ridge – My favorite, this 1.2 mile trail winds along a ridge before descending rapidly to a seasonal creek in the bottoms. The climb back up is tough pushing a stroller, but still a welcome challenge. There are plenty of benches to rest on and the scenery is beautiful.
HIckory Ridge Trail
Broken Ridge – a 2/3 mile, hilly but not too difficult trail that winds throught the northern edge of the property. Again there is a seasonal creek at the bottom that is a favorite hangout for young children.
Whitetail deer along Broken Ridge Trail

Pileated woodpecker along Broken Ridge Trail
Tanglevine – 1/3 mile, disabled accessible trail near the nature center. There are restrooms and vending machines, as well as a covered picnic area at this trailhead. Educational signs are located along the way. I have seen a great assortment of birds, deer, snakes and lizards to go along with the wide variety of native plants in the woodland.
Trailhead for Tanglevine Trail at Powder Valley

Trail off-shoot that leads to viewing blind behind nature center

The trails and area are open daily from 8:00 to 8:00 during daylight savings time, then 8:00 to 6:00 the rest of the year. The nature center is only open Tuesday to Saturday, with hours from 8:00 to 5:00.