Beginning the week of June 29, portions of the Duke Forest’s Durham Division will be temporarily closed to accommodate a series of commercial thinning operations. These forest management activities require the use of heavy equipment, and closures are necessary to ensure the safety of visitors and personnel.
Closures will occur in phases as work progresses:
- Beginning Monday, June 29: Gate 14 will be closed to all vehicle and recreational access.
- Beginning Monday, July 20: Gates 10 and 13 will be closed to all vehicle and recreational access.
- On a date to be announced: Gate 12 will be closed to all vehicle and recreational access.
Additional updates, including the timing of subsequent closures and reopening dates, will be posted as work progresses.
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we carry out these important forest stewardship activities. These commercial thinning operations are an important component of long-term forest management, helping to improve forest health, promote stand resilience, and support the Duke Forest’s missions of teaching, research, and stewardship.