Duke Forest

Duke Forest is an experimental forest that spreads across multiple counties and contains different landscape types and research sites. The land features various forest types and habitats where scientific work takes place.

Duke University founded the forest in 1931 to conduct research on forestry and learn more about forest management. This founding led to many scientific discoveries that continue to shape understanding today.

The forest functions as a working laboratory where students and researchers spend time outdoors conducting field studies and gathering observations about nature. People visit to understand how forests work and what role they play in the environment.

The property has several parking areas and walking trails available for visitors, with maps provided at access points. It is helpful to check which sections are open before planning your visit to choose the best route.

The property has designated zones where tree growth is tracked over decades through long-term studies. These extended observations provide insights that shorter studies simply cannot achieve.

Location: North Carolina

GPS coordinates: 36.00000,-79.01667

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:07