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About Discovery Lake
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NIEHS Walking Trails & Distances
Discovery Lake Self-Guided Nature Trail
Take a tour of the
Discovery Lake Nature Trail
, and learn more about the plants, animals, and history of the lake. Optimized for use on smartphones, so you can bring it with you as you explore.
Walk from F-Loading Dock North and around Lake - 1.8 miles
Walk from F-Loading Dock North around EPA and NIEHS paved roads - 2.2 miles
Walk from F-Loading Dock North to EPA walking trail, down Alexander Drive Trail and back into NIEHS front entrance - 1.92 miles
Walk from E-Loading Dock to NIEHS front entrance down to Durham Expressway and back - 2.97 miles
Map of Nature Walk
(2MB)
Click to enlarge.
Lake Visitors/Users
As of
September 3, 2024
: Fishing, swimming, boating and other aquatic recreation on Discovery Lake will be prohibited due to an ongoing construction project and conservation efforts. Notifications will be made when Discovery Lake is once again open for recreation.
Emergencies
Contact
919-541-2800
in the event of an emergency. In addition, emergency phones are located outdoors on NIEHS side of Discovery Lake at the locations listed below. These phones automatically dial NIEHS Security Office when the emergency button is pressed.
North side of Building 101 near F-module
Lake side of Building 101 between D-module and the fire lane
South side of Building 101 near the A-module entrance doors
Along the southern portion of Discovery Lake trail near the central finger
Along the southern portion of Discovery Lake trail near the Building 104 trail connection
Wildlife
Discovery Lake has become a haven to many species of wildlife.
Nesting waterfowl are a common sight at the lake's edge. Please give wide berth to any nests or creatures which appear to have staked-out a territory.
Curb your curiosity and observe from a safe distance.
Birds of NIEHS
(216KB)
Reptiles of NIEHS
(749KB)
Biters and Stingers of NIEHS
(3MB)
Contacts
NIEHS Security
Tel 984-287-4500
NIEHS Operations & Security Branch:
Donald R. Jackowski
Security Manager
Tel 984-287-4370
[email protected]
NIH Office of Research Facilities:
Brian W. Harris
Project Officer
Tel 984-287-4380
[email protected]
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Last Reviewed: January 26, 2026