Powdermill Nature Reserve
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
About Powdermill
Powdermill Nature Reserve is Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s environmental research center. Located 55 miles southeast of Pittsburgh in Rector, Pennsylvania, Powdermill is a field station and laboratory where researchers do long-term studies of natural populations in western Pennsylvania. In addition to being positioned for Appalachian-specific studies in ornithology, ecology, invertebrate zoology, and botany, Powdermill is a great place to spend a fun-filled day outdoors with the family.
Explore the beautiful woodlands around Powdermill, or visit the nature center, which features exhibits that highlight local wildlife, an indoor stream, and a marsh machine that uses a living greenhouse to purify waste water.
Admission to Powdermill Nature Reserve is free.
Powdermill Nature Reserve’s week-long summer camps for children ages 6–12 start soon! Learn more and register for camp.
Nature Center Hours
Winter Hours (Thanksgiving – March 31)
Friday–Saturday: 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Monday–Thursday by appointment only
Closed Sunday
Location
GPS Coordinates
+40.160 -79.272
Address
Powdermill Nature Reserve
1795 Route 381
Rector, PA 15677
Phone
724.593.6105
Hiking & Trails
Trails are open dawn to dusk.
Bicycles are not allowed on any trails.
Sugar Camp Loop and Porcupine Ridge Trail will be closed during rifle season (November 30th – December 14th).
Events at Powdermill
Jolly Opossum
December 21, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Join us to hear the tale of the Jolly Opossum! This story will delve into what the creatures of the ...
Family Nature Hike at Powdermill
January 4, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Nature Hike Saturday, January 4, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Powdermill Nature Reserve Free ...
Family Nature Hike at Powdermill
February 1, 2025, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Family Nature Hike Saturday, February 1, 2025, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Powdermill Nature Reserve Free...
History
Powdermill Nature Reserve was established by Carnegie Museum of Natural History in 1956 to serve as a field station for research on natural populations. General and Mrs. Richard K. Mellon and Dr. and Mrs. Alan M. Scaife presented 1,160 acres of land located about 3 miles south of Rector, Pennsylvania, for the use of Carnegie Museum of Natural History which was named “Powdermill Nature Reserve, a Research Station of Carnegie Museum.” Over the next several years, acreage was added to Powdermill Nature Reserve, and it now offers more than 2,200 acres of woodlands, streams, fields, and ponds for research and educational programs. Powdermill is home to the museum’s GIS lab, avian research center, and a new nature center with ecological exhibits.
