Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center in St. Louis, Missouri

The Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is a 112 acre urban oasis of oak-hickory forests. It is located in southwest St. Louis County, MO near the intersection of the 270 and 44 interstate highways.

Powder Valley gets its name from Missouri folklore. The lore says that during the Civil War the Union forces stored their blasting powder in a cave on the property; hence the name Powder Valley. In 1986 the Missouri Department of Conservation purchased the area and opened to the public in 1991.

Features

Powder Valley boasts 3 paved hiking trails through the beautiful oak-hickory forest. The Tanglevine Trail is the shortest trail. It is 0.30 miles in length, flat, and wheelchair assessable. The 1.20 mile Trail of Many Creeks starts with an awesome foot bridge and features a wildlife observation deck. The 0.70 mile Broken Ridge Trail is the most challenging. It travels up and down steep hills within the forest.
Each of the three trails start in the Nature Center's parking lot.

The Nature Center has two levels to explore on the wildlife and botany of Missouri. The Nature Center has many activities for children and adults of all ages to enjoy. You can barrow binoculars from the front desk for viewing birds and other wildlife from their large wildlife viewing window.

They also have an underwater viewing area of their aquarium that allows visitors to view native Missouri fish such as bass, bluegill, and catfish in their natural environment. The Nature Center has a 250 seat auditorium and movies on nature conservation are shown on most weekends. Children especially love watching the bees in the real beehive and the live animals that are on display.

Powder Valley presents a variety of nature programs and activities for all ages throughout the year. Some upcoming events that are available are Nature's Niche: Reptiles of Missouri, Monarch Mysteries, Loveable Ladybugs, and Discover Nature- Canoeing.

You may find a current list of events at Powder Valley's web site.
http://mdc.mo.gov/areas/cnc/powder/

Hours and Information

Admission to the Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center is free to the public. The Nature Center is open year round from 8 am to 5 pm seven days a week but is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The park is open year round from 8 am to 6 pm seven days a week.

There are some rules and regulations in the park. The park is closed to pets, collecting of any kind, fishing, hunting, trapping, and alcoholic beverages. And there is no jogging, bicycling, rollerblading or skiing allowed on the trails.

For more information you may call 314-301-1500

11715 Cragwold Road
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122