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Eddy Discovery Center

A ranger assists a young boy who is using a viewfinder

Eddy Discovery Center

Eddy Discovery Center

734-475-3170

Zach O'Dell, interpreter
odellz@michigan.gov

Hours of Operation

January 2 - Memorial Day: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Memorial Day - Labor Day: Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Labor Day - November 14: Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

November 15 - December 31:
Closed

The Eddy Discovery Center, at Waterloo Recreation Area, introduces visitors to the fascinating world of geology and to the diverse natural habitats that are found today within Waterloo's 20,000-plus acres. Waterloo Recreation Area has miles of trails offering hikers of all ages and abilities the chance to explore its diverse geology and habitats, from forest wetlands to mature oak-hickory forests. The exhibit hall inside the center explores Michigan's geology and diverse habitats through the years, from the Ice Age through European settlement to today. Waterloo is also a great place to view sandhill cranes in a self-guided tour of the Haehnle Sanctuary.

See all that the Eddy Discovery Center has to offer.

Take a virtual tour

Take a virtual tour of the museum, courtesy of Able Eyes.

Visitor center and park information

  • The 20,000-acre Waterloo Recreation Area is the largest state park in the Lower Peninsula and home to a diverse array of camping options, 11 inland lakes, an awesome trail system, a visitor center and more.

    Visit the Waterloo Recreation Area website for further information.

  • The exhibit room has a large, interactive map of the Waterloo area featuring habitats found around the center, including the beech-maple forest, hardwood swamp and bog. Other exhibits show habitat types and plant communities that were common prior to European settlement, including the oak barrens and the prairie fen, which are extremely rare today. A special display case holds a large collection of fluted spear points used by the Paleo-Indian hunters, and other cultural history artifacts, including a dugout canoe, are on display as well. Visitors can see live, local animals in the critter room, or discover exhibits about animal adaptations.

    The auditorium features a 12-minute introductory film about Waterloo Recreation Area. Then, step into the atrium to see an active honeybee colony. It's also a good spot for birdwatching. Test your knowledge of birds by playing a fun touch-screen computer game.

  • The Eddy Discovery Center sits within a network of 7 miles of looped trails. It is also a stop along the 36-mile Waterloo Pinckney Trail. 

    View our trail map.

  • Waterloo Natural History Association

    The Waterloo Natural History Association is a nonprofit friends group of the Waterloo Recreation Area and the Eddy Discovery Center. Established in 1981 to enhance visitors' outdoor experiences in the park, the WNHA provides both program and financial support for the recreation area and visitor center.

    Haehnle Sanctuary

    Known for sandhill crane viewing, Haehnle Sanctuary is located 6 miles northeast of Jackson, Michigan, on Seymour Road. The Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary, a Michigan Audubon sanctuary, has an area of over 1,000 acres. The varied habitats include beech and oak climax forests and native grasslands in the upland areas; among those in the wetland areas are a fen, a hardwood swamp, Eagle Lake and Mud Lake Marsh.

Programs for families and classrooms

Mill Lake kayak tour 

Join us for a beginner’s level paddling trip. Participants must be able to swim and agree to wear life jackets. For more information and to register, call (734) 590-1816. Space is limited. This event is open to ages 13 and up.

Dates: Aug. 28, 2024 and Sept. 2, 2024.

Nature book club

Join Waterloo’s park interpreter, Zach O’Dell, for a book club every Monday morning at 10 a.m. at the Eddy Discovery Center pavilion. This fall, the club will be reading Whistle Stop by Maritta Wolff, which focuses on the human history throughout the Waterloo area and aim to help readers understand the relationships between people and the land.

Whistle Stop by Maritta Wolff

  • Sept. 9: pages 1-100
  • Sept. 23: pages 101-200
  • Sept. 30: pages 201-300
  • Oct. 14: pages 301-371

Education programs

Eddy Discovery Center offers a variety of field trip opportunities.

Program offerings

Public programs

Programs and classes for all ages, like archery and night hikes.

Weekly program schedule