Duke Forest is a renowned natural area, but understanding its location can be a little complex as it’s not just one single site. Spanning over 7,000 acres, Duke Forest is distributed across Durham, Orange, and Alamance counties in North Carolina. This vast expanse is divided into six distinct divisions and one protected natural area, offering diverse landscapes and research opportunities. Public access is available across all six divisions via gated entrances, inviting visitors to explore its trails and natural beauty.
To pinpoint exactly where is Duke Forest located for your visit, it’s helpful to understand its dispersed nature and utilize available resources like the Duke Forest recreation maps. These maps are essential for navigating the area and can be downloaded directly from the Duke Forest website, providing detailed information on authorized recreation locations, roads, and trails within each division.
Locator map of Duke Forest divisions across Durham, Orange, and Alamance counties, North Carolina, showing the general areas where Duke Forest is located.
Parking at Duke Forest Divisions
When visiting the Duke Forest divisions, parking is generally available near the forest gates, along the roadside within the NCDOT right of way. It’s important to be mindful of your vehicle and secure any valuables, as car break-ins are a potential risk. Before venturing into the forest, reviewing the Regulations and Safety Considerations on the Duke Forest website is highly recommended to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Finding the Duke Forest Office on Duke’s West Campus
While Duke Forest itself is spread out, the administrative office is centrally located on Duke University’s West Campus. Specifically, the Duke Forest Office is situated in Suite A233 of the Levine Science Research Center (LSRC). If you plan to visit the office, it is advisable to contact them beforehand at 919-613-8013. This ensures a staff member is available to assist you and allows you to inquire about the availability of the designated Duke Forest parking space.
Directions to Duke’s West Campus for the Duke Forest Office
Getting to the Duke Forest Office on Duke’s West Campus is straightforward with detailed directions available from various locations:
Driving Directions:
- From Chapel Hill via US 15-501 North: Exit onto NC 751, turn right, then left onto Erwin Road. Turn right at the third light onto Research Drive.
- From Hillsborough via I-85 North: Exit onto NC 147 South (Durham Freeway). Take the first exit to 15-501 South towards Chapel Hill, then the second exit to NC 751. Turn left onto NC 751, then left onto Erwin Road, and right at the third light onto Research Drive.
- From Raleigh via I-85 South: Take the US 15-501 South Bypass exit towards Duke University/Chapel Hill. Continue to the fourth exit for NC 751. Turn left onto NC 751, then left onto Erwin Road, and right at the third light onto Research Drive.
- From Raleigh via I-40 West: Exit towards Durham via the Durham Freeway (NC 147). Take the Fulton Street exit, turn left onto Fulton Street, right onto Erwin Road, and left at the first traffic light onto Research Drive.
Accessing the Reserved Parking Space at Duke Forest Office
For visitors with prior approval and a temporary parking pass from the Duke Forest Office, reserved parking is available.
Directions to Reserved Parking:
- Locate Circuit Drive, adjacent to the traffic circle with Research Drive. Look for the parking lot behind the North Building (a large, red brick building).
- The reserved space is the third parking spot on the right, designated for the Office of the Duke Forest.
- Display your dated parking pass visibly on your dashboard.
- Walk along the sidewalk on Circuit Drive to Grainger Hall (on your left), enter via the ‘sky bridge’, descend to the 1st floor, exit through the main doors, and use the walkway to the LSRC A Wing.
- Enter Hug Commons foyer, ascend the stairs, turn right, and the Duke Forest Office (Suite A233) is the first office on the right.
Directions from the reserved Duke Forest parking space to the Duke Forest Office in the Levine Science Research Center (LSRC) on Duke’s West Campus.
Alternate Parking Options for Duke Forest Office Visitors
In addition to the reserved space, alternative parking is available:
Bryan Center Parking Deck:
This parking deck is a convenient option for visiting the Duke Forest Office.
Image of the Bryan Center Parking Deck, an alternative parking location for visitors to the Duke Forest Office on Duke’s West Campus.
Metered Parking Lot on Circuit/Lasalle:
A metered parking lot on Circuit Drive/Lasalle Drive provides another alternative for parking near the Duke Forest Office.
Image of the metered parking lot on Circuit Drive/Lasalle Drive, providing another parking option near the Duke Forest Office at Duke University.
Conclusion
In summary, where is Duke Forest located depends on whether you are referring to the forest itself or its administrative office. The forest encompasses a large area across three counties with multiple access points, perfect for recreation and exploration. The Duke Forest Office, however, is situated on Duke University’s West Campus, providing a central point of contact and administration. Utilizing the Duke Forest maps and directions outlined will ensure you can easily find and enjoy this valuable natural and research resource.
