The facility at 17030 Bush Road in Chelsea is officially the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center, the interpretive visitor center for Waterloo Recreation Area. It reopened in April 2026 after a yearlong renovation and now presents updated exhibits on Michigan geology, Waterloo’s glacial landscape and the habitats found across the recreation area.
A Geology-Focused Stop
Inside, the exhibit hall follows the landscape from the Ice Age through European settlement to the present. That focus makes the center a useful first stop before exploring Waterloo’s kettle lakes, wetlands, oak-hickory forest and rolling terrain. Modern restrooms are available at the center.
For a broader overview of facilities and trip planning, see our Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center guide. This article concentrates on the center’s interpretive and geology role.
Current Hours and Accessibility
Regular hours are Jan. 2–Memorial Day, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Memorial Day–Labor Day, daily from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Labor Day–Nov. 14, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; and Nov. 15–Dec. 31, closed. Programs can follow a separate schedule.
A free track chair is based at the center for use on nearby trails. Call 734-475-3170 at least 24 hours ahead when possible; availability is first-come, first-served and reservations are limited to two-hour blocks. EnChroma color-vision glasses are also available to borrow during normal hours.
Plan Your Visit
- Address: 17030 Bush Road, Chelsea, MI 48118.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Waterloo Recreation Area.
- The Waterloo–Pinckney Trail is a long backcountry route; choose shorter nearby trails unless prepared for distance and variable conditions.
- Check the official Eddy Discovery Center page for current hours and programs.
The center works best as a practical orientation stop: use the exhibits to understand the glacial terrain, then match the day’s trail or wildlife-watching plan to current conditions.
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