The Duke Campus: Flora & Fauna

Duke Forest | Sarah P. Duke Gardens

Duke may be located in the midst of a fairly bustling urban area, but make no mistake: there is plenty of nature around to satisfy your outdoor needs, both on and off campus.

First, Duke comprises 9,350 lush acres in the center of Durham, including the beautiful Sarah P. Duke Gardens on West Campus and the many winding trails of Duke Forest nearby. Then, Duke's location—in the middle of the gorgeous state of North Carolina—makes it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who love both the beaches and the mountains.

Drive a few hours east, and you're on the famous Carolina coast, where you can frolic on historic beaches like Kitty Hawk and the Outer Banks or on beaches a little closer, like those near the lovely city of Wilmington.

Go a few hours west, and you can choose from the Great Smoky Mountains, the Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and much more.

Closer to campus, there are many parks, lakes, ponds and forests, so whether you have 30 minutes or a long weekend, you'll find ample nature, water, and backwoods areas to enable a proper getaway.

The Duke University Lemur Center hosts the world’s largest colony of endangered prosimian primates; it is also the only center devoted to the study and preservation of the endangered (and adorable) lemur. Many Duke students have done a variety of research projects amongst the lemurs. (You can also support the Center by adopting a lemur—the perfect birthday present for the prosimian lover in your life.)
Listen to a Red Ruffed Lemur!

A rotating cast of characters inhabit the visiting area (including the Coquerel's sifaka from the PBS kids' show Zoboomafoo), and tours are available and open to the public.