Powder Mills Wildlife Refuge

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge

and Audubon Headquarters

Address: 12 Sanderson Road (Rt.5), Smithfield, RI 02917
Phone: (401) 949-5454
Hours: Refuge trails open sunrise to sunset daily. Administrative/headquarters office open Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Acres: 100
Trails: 2.5 miles
Trail Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Restroom: Bathrooms are available during headquarter office hours.

Dogs are prohibited. Click here to learn why and review other trail guidelines.

Trail Map
Mapa de Senderos

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Powder Mill Ledges is home to 100 acres of habitat graced with deep woodlands and interesting rock outcroppings. In addition to hiking and bird watching, it is an ideal winter destination for snowshoeing.

You will also find the Audubon Society of Rhode Island administrative headquarters office at this refuge, where scheduled nature hikes, programs, lectures and events take place – click here for the events calendar. Trail visitors are welcome to utilize the building's restrooms and water refill stations during open hours.

Looking for the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium and Nature Gift Shop? Learn more about this facility, located in Bristol, RI!

Refuge Highlights

Habitat: deep woodlands, small pond, meadows, pine forest and rock outcroppings
Wildlife to watch for: red fox, grey fox, spring peeper, grey tree frog, green frog, painted turtle, deer
Birds commonly found: Wild Turkey, Cooper's Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Pine Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo
Offerings: Birdwatching, Birthday Parties, Programs/events, Snowshoeing/cross-country skiing. Restrooms are available for visitor use when staff is present during operating hours (M-F, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm) - just ring the doorbell!
Available for birthday parties and facility rentals.

Wildlife Refuges

Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge Self-Guided Trail

Auto Guía de Senderos del Refugio de Vida Silvestre Powder Mill Ledges

Use this mobile-friendly, self-guided trail guide to explore 15 different stations along the trails, each featuring highlights of this natural space.
Utilice esta guía de senderos autoguiada y apta para móviles para explorar 15 estaciones diferentes a lo largo de los senderos, cada una demostrando los aspectos más destacados de este espacio natural.

Click to Explore: English | Español

Image by Phoenix Aviary
Image by Glenn Osmundson

Using the Trails: Refuge Guidelines

All Audubon Society of Rhode Island land is protected. Our public wildlife refuges are for everyone to enjoy. Please respect the natural habitats of Audubon's refuges and avoid disturbing their inhabitants. Also, respect the rights of others when using the trails.

In order to ensure that these areas remain as healthy habitats, we ask you please to abide by these simple rules, enjoying the natural settings with quiet enthusiasm and a respectful sense of adventure. By conserving these open spaces, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, along with its members and partners, is able to fulfill its mission of protecting the nature of Rhode Island.

To accomplish this, we kindly request the following:

Permitted (and encouraged!):

• Hiking on the trails
• Observing & learning about wildlife
• Photography
• Bird watching
• Enjoying the area's natural ambiance and solitude
• Picnicking only at the designated areas at the Nature Center and Aquarium
Not permitted:

• Dogs, horses and other pets
• Motorized vehicles and bicycles beyond the parking lot
• Hunting, fishing or trapping
• Picnicking (except in designated areas at the Nature Center and Aquarium)
• Camping
• Littering
• Alcoholic beverages and smoking
• Collecting plants or other natural objects
• Geo-caching or Letterboxing
• Jogging, running and excessive noise
Why can't I bring my dog along?*

Dogs can be best friends, good companions and even part of the family, but dogs are not allowed on Audubon Wildlife Refuges for a number of reasons. Read More.
*Service dogs are welcome.