William B. Umstead State Park

Love the hiking trails. Very well maintained, wide, and well marked without detracting from the natural beauty. And let's talk about the beauty: full canopy mixed forests. The sights, sounds, smells... what an excellent break from urbania. Enjoy it Raleigh, this is a true treasure.

Great park for hiking 🥾 with a multitude of sights to see 👀. There is a waterfall of sorts near where sycamore trail enters its big loop that is a bit out of the way but a worth while trek. It has a good range of beginner and advanced trails but there could be more. Overall good and a must-visit if you are in NC

This is one of the most beautiful park I have ever been to. I been there after my first time more then 50 times never get enough of this beautiful park, you need to be in shape to go there , it is a long walk and if you go biking 🚴 it take a good hours if you have a fast bike you can do it in 30 minutes if you not that fast it will be one hour to get out. It worth tt

Free entry, the 2.8ish mile loop that starts/ends at the welcome center/ranger station has a good mix of relatively light-to-moderate terrain, and a lake to see (no area to walk around the perimeter of the lake per se). Short drive from the city center, a decent amount of parking spots, but I can see it be packed during peak hours.

Went to Raleigh because my wife had a work type workshop, and I had like six hours to kill. I chose to spend my whole day here and absolutely loved it. Peaceful, beautiful, and fun trails. I got lucky enough to visit when I did because I was told the carved log was being taken due to it degrading. It was still beautiful. I would love to visit the park again and do other trails I missed out on.

Amazing! Well marked trails, interesting history. Yes it's close to RDU and some spots you can hear the plans more then others but it's not bad. Frankly at one of the water fronts you can practically watch the plans take off. Was pretty neat. Beautiful scenery! No complaints.

A beautiful park. Undisturbed by progress or development. Many miles of trails to enjoy on your own or with your dogs. The only criticism is that due to its close proximity to RDU, there is a lot of noise from aircraft overheard, but the dogs don’t seem to mind.

Very nice park for hiking, horse riding, bike riding, today we hiked 16 km, very enjoyable, very pet friendly, will go again next time

Such a unique place in the city! We visited for the first time to find the log carvings. We stopped at the visitor center to get the information and the gentleman working was wonderful! We did the graylyn trail to get to the logs and if was a little under a mile and a half from the lot and back to the logs. We did it with kids and it was fine! Highly recommend.

Wonderful trails for biking, hiking, walking (and also some trails are sign-posted to allow horses). Not crowded. Miles & miles of trails. Picnic tables and pavilions. Creeks and streams. Lakes and ponds. Boating. BE AWARE of closed trails, bridges, etc...stop by the park office AND check the website for closures.

It is best to start at the visitor center to get information about all trails. They have maps that show the distance and route of every trail. The center has a few exhibits about the area and it's history that takes only 15 minutes. One of the trails is directly outside the center. This is a very large area with miles and miles of trails ranging from heavy wooded areas to going along a pond. You can easily drive to various points. The ultrarunners even have an annual 100-mile run here!

As a Florida resident who is from Kentucky, I was craving a taste of fall. We were able to experience it in Raleigh, especially while at the William B Umstead State Park. We chose to do a hike that allowed us to see the tree chainsaw art. Note that if you do this hike, it'll be at the end. Don't freak out like us and think you're not going to see it, haha! The state park offers a variety of trails and activities. Wish we would have had more time here.

absolutely stunning place to have a hike. trails are easy to navigate and not difficult at all. not hard to get lost either as the trails are marked. great place to fish, hike, or enjoy time in nature.

Beautiful park, cleaned hiking trails, plenty of parking and a beautiful lake to view!

Great park with several trails to pick from. The trails are clean and well kept. The biggest plus is the restrooms that are very clean and easily accessible. We went down a trail that led us to a beautiful creek. Very nice park!

Another highly recommended hiking location in the area and was certainly zen like and tranquil. We found Eno River more picturesque but this was still a great hike and a welcome diversion from urban life.

Awesome selection of trails. Has lots of variety of different trails with different difficulty levels, so you're sure to find one that's right for you. Awesome park for taking a stroll and hiking. The views are beautiful, so have your phone ready. One thing I would recommend is to bring bug spray and sunscreen, especially in mid/late-spring and summer. Most trails are also dog/pet friendly. Definitely recommend.

I came across William B Umstead State Park while staying in a nearby hotel for business. I am always looking for somewhere peaceful to walk or run when I have the time and so happy to have found this park nearby. I came to find out that the park covers thousands of acres and has all kinds of trails. The entrance I utilized on foot required my constant attention after crossing over the interstate as the sidewalk vanishes and I had to make sure I was on the shoulder to make sure I didn't get squished by cars going into and out of the park. It wasn't that difficult but be aware if you are entering the park on foot from the nearby SAS campus (of which I understand Umstead along with a friend started). There's lots of parking from this entrance and a few trails to choose from. I took the Loblolly trail from the Reedy Creek entrance. It is fairly long at around 7 miles out. It's not a loop. I did about a mile and a quarter of the trail and it was awesome. All covered with a tree canopy the trail is well marked and maintained. It ranged from gravel to vines and rocks to bare dirt. Great scenery and very peaceful. There's enough room to pass other walkers and hikers. I really enjoyed this park. I want to explore it more if I'm in the area again as I had time constraints. I highly recommend this well maintained park and will visit again. Nothing quite like a good walk in nature. Enjoy!

A pretty awesome trail for a nice hike. We walked the sycamore trail, which was a little over 7 miles 1 way. It doesn't loop, so be prepared for a 14 miler if you go round trip. GLOWS: -The path is rocky, but it has a good amount of hills and flat roads to keep the walk engaging. -Parking is plentiful all around the park (a midday walk is better than a crowded morning walk if you can beat the sun) - The echos are lovely! -I didn't experience an overload of bugs on a cloudy, which was nice. - The signs are good for keeping you on track, just be sure to pay attention

My family and I live about 5 minutes away from Umstead State Park, and we absolutely love it! This is our go-to park for light hiking when we don't want to venture too far out but still want to be outdoors, and I find that this is the perfect place for folks to get some exercise in during COVID times. There's plenty of available parking and all the trails are pretty clearly marked. Some of the trails are very wide and paved over with gravel, so it's easy to stay socially distanced whether you are walking or biking. Of course, there are some narrow woodsy trails as well if you want more of a nature hike as opposed to a walk. The view by the big lake is beautiful, especially during the fall time when all the leaves change color (see photos). Additionally, if you venture further into the park (sycamore trail if I recall correctly), you'll find a fallen oak tree that has been carved to showcase a series of animals; very unique and fun to see especially if it's your first time at Umstead!

I really like the hiking trails at Umstead. They are definitely hiking-boot-worthy since many of the trails go through the woods over roots and rocks. The trails are clearly marked and there are camping areas with stone firepits in several places along portions of some trails. There is a lake and a dam as well. We brought a picnic lunch and enjoyed it at one of the tables in the picnic area. That area includes grills and you'll need to bring your own charcoal if you plan to grill. The restrooms nearby were super clean and well stocked.

The walk was okay to the lake but nothing for the kids to run around in the area while you fish by the lake as it was way too close for the kids. Overall we enjoyed it and it was nice out along with great pictures of my family with the scenery of the lake.

We loved William B Umstead Park and will be back to see more. I highly recommend others visit.

[Coronavirus review] This is one of those urban parks that has roads and power lines running through it, but still gives you a nice breath of fresh air. There is a small lake and various trails running around it, along with several parking and picnic areas. I found no shortage of mosquitoes but also plenty of lightning bugs. The trails are often not wide enough to pass someone, requiring a little extra effort to socially distance. Still, we need to get outside, and this is a pretty good place to do it.

We decided to come here after searching for fall foliage that's not too far away from Norfolk. It is a slightly more than 3 hours drive. Even though it's a state park, it is located somewhat 'in the city'. There are a few entrances and trails. Most trails are not a loop so make sure you grab a map that's available in the mailboxes by the trail entrances. It was almost 2 pm when we got there. We did the Company Mill trail and hopped on another to see the log art. It took us about 2 hours including stops for picture takings. Once there, we decided to go to the parking lot for the toilet because that's what shows on the map. Unfortunately once we get there, there are no toilets to be seen. We wasted 20-30 min looking for the toilet which means we had to really rush it to get back to our car before the sun sets (4.58) because we didn't want to walk in the dark. Instead of taking the same trail through the woods, we decided to stick to the 'main road' trail. We made it back to the parking lot just in time before it got really dark which was around 5.35. All in all, the park itself is nice. I hope they would make the markers more visible and maybe reflective. We got loss a little bit because we missed one. Thank god there's cell service and took us back to the trail. It would also be nice if they make more toilets available.

Nice park with some creeks running through it and a lake. You can take some shorter hikes that are just a mile or two, or string together some of the trails for a longer hike. Most of the trails we have gone on are well marked, but there was one that we never found. ‍ The bathrooms were quite nice for park bathrooms and even had hand soap! Cell phone service is very limited in certain parts of the park.

I've been to this park quite a few times. It's a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the traffic. I feel that the trails could stand to be marked better and some of the trails need some tender love and care to make it more walkable and accessible. Would not advise going if it's rained in the past few days--trails are very very slippery after precipitation. I wish there were more options for a moderately long walk without going six plus miles. My favorite thing about Umstead is the scenery and the waterfalls. So much natural beauty and opportunities for instagram, if that's something you like.

My husband and I are originally from the Northeast, but have spent the past five years living in coastal cities of California and Florida, so I have missed out on the traditional season of fall. I would have loved a trip to Asheville to see foliage, but we were short on time and money with a house closing coming up. I started poking around online and looking for nature preserves that might give us a similar experience. This was a great place to come and see some gorgeous changing colors. I'd also suggest Lake Johnson too, especially if you want a paved nature path. I found this park and saw that they had a plethora of nature trails. The Sal's Branch Trail looked good to me since it was only 2.8 miles long. We came late on a Sunday morning on a beautiful fall day and luckily we found parking not too far from the trail. There were also restrooms where we parked too, which is a plus. I'd recommend wearing some solid footwear here such as sneakers or even hiking boots. It's not that there is much of an incline, but the ground can be uneven in spots and rocks are sticking up. I found the paths to be peaceful and it was nice to be in the woods again. We found it very easy to follow the markers and stay on the trail too. We brought our two small dogs with us, my one used to hike the Adirondacks and he loved it. We will definitely be back in the cooler months to enjoy any sunny days we get on the weekends.

This park is beautiful! My husband and I visited first time on a Sunday afternoon. We were pleasantly surprised to find the information office was open on this day. Greg was informative and a joy to talk with!

Beautifully maintained. Finding the log art was worth the hike! Clean bathrooms and trails. Make sure you bring plenty of water and snacks.

I've lived in Cary for 28 years and just discovered this amazing park in the last 5! My husband and I love hiking and riding our mountain bikes on the multi-use trails. There are trails for all levels of hikers. There are colored markers to help you stay on track but I've almost gotten lost a couple of times. I highly recommend the app, AllTrails: Hike, Bike & Run. You can download the trails and see exactly where you are via GPS.

I love to come out here and just vibe out. Perfect nature spot. I highly recommend and the good thing is it's not far from me at all. Accessible

William B. Umstead was a long time coming as the last park within a long day's trip from home for me. It's conveniently located within a short drive's reach from the hustle and bustle of Raleigh. As such, even in the cooler off-season I found the park to be heavily crowded. I could chock part of that up to the fact that it was a Saturday when I happened by. The park is not by any means remarkable or large when compared to most others in the NC State Park system. However it seems to play a significant role in the lives of many city folk looking for the release that only nature can bring. To start with, my biggest recommendation is to be aware that there are two access points and only one brings you by car to the park office. The other is a significant hike away from it. The two access points are conveniently located right off of two major highways: I-40 and US-70. Horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking are all allowed somewhere within the park. There is even camping. No wonder it's so popular. I took an easy short hike on the Sal's Branch Trail. This trail makes a loop from the crowded parking lot by the park office down along the shore of the Big Lake and back up. Over 2.5 miles I had a small elevation gain of about 300 ft. My mom really like this park and wants to get back there with me next time so I bet we will go back for a casual hike. I certainly can recommend it for a quick day out in nature for those in the RDU area. I personally will opt for parks that are a little more wild and in western NC.

We were shocked to be able to find such a big and nice park with trails near Raleigh. There are various options and you can even download a PDF of the map so you know which way you're going. There are shaded as well as open areas and the different levels allow you to tailor your experience whether that's a nice walk or a more challenging and long one. We only took about 45 minutes each way and took our time through the trail.

A gem inside Raleigh! So many nice trials! Quite and (so far) clean. It's my happy place

Coming from out of state, this place amazes me. One mile in and you feel like you are so far from everything. Gorgeous trees help you stay cool- I can't believe you can actually do these trails in the middle of a hot summer day. This place isn't too crowded, it's free, and the hikes vary. There is a great 2.8 mile loop (1-1.5 hours) called Sal's branch, and it's fairly flat and pretty good for all levels (and dogs!). U

As a new person living in North Carolina, (and coming from NYC), I am not familiar with mountain and hiking life. When a friend came to visit though and suggested we go hiking, I was scrounging around to find something local to me, just in case I didn't like to hike (this was my first time). I reached out to a bunch of colleagues, and this is where they recommended. Based on the location, I was VERY Skeptical, as it is in Cary, NC. A very rural area...but who would have thunk it...they have this amazing park right off of the expressway! There didn't seem like there were any kind of 'toll booths' when you enter, compared to many state parks that I've encountered...(that's a huge bonus). We got there and looked at the trail map and found the one that we wanted to do. it was a great 6 ish mile hike. Since I've never gone hiking before, I didn't have any proper attire to wear, so I ended up wearing tennis sneakers. (which didn't do as bad as one may have expected) The trails were extremely well marked and a lot of the 'side brush' was under control. There were a lot of roots and rocks on the trails, and wasn't too crowded on the actual trails (which was nice) the trees cover the path very well, so you don't experience the extreme heat the south brings. Walking by some streams, over bridges and getting a brief history lesson while walking it was awesome as well. Overall, this trail was very pleasant, and challenging for a beginner, but was very fun. Definitely looking forward to doing these more often!

Umstead has become my favorite place to walk lately. I usually enter on the Raleigh side via Highway 70, and enjoy walking along the easier trails for now. The picnic tables, shelters, and grills stay pretty busy on the weekends, so people seem to enjoy those on a regular basis. The bathroom facilities are surprisingly clean when I've used them.

We are all entitled to our own opinions, right? Well here's mine: Parking: 5 Location: 5 Decor/ambiance: 5 Customer Service: na If your looking for a challenge... this is the place to be. If your looking for a laid back relaxing scenic trail... this is the place to be. If your looking for a trail thats easy and exciting at the same time... this is the place to be. I said all of that to say, this park has trails that can suit all levels, needs and loves. I find the WBU State park to have a little bit of challenge for everyone of all levels. The park has several different trails and it also features a massive lake and boat house. My personal fav is Sals Fork! Its a little over 2 miles and its a challenge but its alot of fun. Check out Sals Fork!!

Great hike for this fall season! We did the (roughly) 6 mile company mill loop trail in about 2 hours. Very well kept, with plenty of room for social distancing, also saw plenty of friendly pups along the way! Great for running or hiking with families. Trail markers were very visible also. Would definitely return for this hike or others that are offered within this beautiful nearby park.

First time to visit it again after almost a decade. It's as amazing as before. We entered from reedy creek side and hiked for about three miles. It's very easy to forget time here. You can refresh yourself from daily work and life.

Last Sunday morning, came here for an early morning walk. I love this place because once you turn in from US-70 entrance, it's like you've entered a whole new world and all of the stress from modern day living simply melts away. From both sides, you're surrounded by greenery and nature. Keep driving until you get to the visitor center and that's where the main parking lot is. Depending on what time you go, the main parking lot might be full so you'll need to drive over to the overfill lot which is just a dirt/gravel area. There are many trails here, my favorite is Sal's Trail which is 2.8 miles for the whole loop. It's my favorite since it takes you to a nice big lake before you loop back to the visitor center. I often see people fishing by the lake. Important tip about Sal's Trail: it is marked by a small orange circle on trees along the trail. So in case you start seeing another color, you're probably off the trail and you should turn back. Overall, this is definitely once of the gems of NC if you're a nature lover!

My only comment is that the signs at the front of the park could be improved to show you exactly which lot to park in. Or the lots could be given names so it's easier to meet up with groups! The trails are well maintained. The park is clean. They have picnic tables, bathrooms, parking lots, trash bins, etc. They also have a really neat trail with log art. Highly recommend this and the lake. It's beautiful.

Made my way here because I'm on a quest to hike trails all over Wake County, and by some ghastly oversight I've never been to Umstead. It is a large park with over 25 miles of hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails, so can check that box off. But there is also fishing, boating, camping and picnic shelters available. Strongly advise grabbing a map since some of the trails are linear, not loops, and they criss cross each other, so it helps greatly to know what you're on and how far it goes. Nicely maintained, even the restrooms. The only real detraction from this otherwise very natural setting is the almost constant jet noises from RDU.

Love this place. It was located close to my hotel. Beautiful trees changing colors. There was a beautiful lake. Wish it was summer to rent a kayak. Most amazing place to come take a walk. Great place to just relax and write. There was like noone here when I came. I came on a weekday around noon. Had a nice day here by myself. Would of been nice If i brought a picnic. There is phone service out here btw. The first stop is informations and the last one is where you can park. Entrance is free to the park.

This is a beautiful park with lots of activities to enjoy. Over 20 miles of hiking trails, with separate trails for biking and horseback trails. Camping, boat rentals, and the best part is no entrance fees. We hiked the Sal's Branch trail which you access just behind the visitors center. They have park maps you can pick up there. It is 2.8 miles with moderate level. Some inclines, lots of tree roots to navigate, but really wasn't all that hard. Near the end, you will find Big Lake with a boat house and fishing areas. They have all levels and trails are clearly marked and some intersect. The trees totally obscure the sun but definitely bring some water. Lots of downed trees and parts of the trail were a bit soggy from all the rains. Lots to explore and enjoy about this state park. Saw people of all ages and lots of fur balls on leashes. Great place to hike and enjoy all that Mother Nature has given us!

Raleigh may be the City of Oaks but Umstead Park is probably the oakiest part of the City of Oaks! Located in northwest Raleigh, Umstead Park has two primary areas with entrances off of Glenwood Avenue (Crabtree Creek) and Harrison Avenue (Reedy Creek) off of I-40. Each section has a very different feel to it and the Reedy Creek side seems a bit tougher in terms of elevation. You've got hiking options ranging from 1 mile easy walks to 6+ mile intermediate runs. Trails are very well marked, there are bathrooms near the major trail heads and plenty of parking. There are a couple of streams in the area, along with a reservoir for water life. Usually there's always foot traffic on the more popular, shorter trails if you're concerned about safety. You really can't beat Umstead Park for some fresh air and greenery, a must-do if you live in the Raleigh-Cary area!

I don't know about you, but Umstead State Park has been a saving grace for me during these tough times! With miles of hiking, running, and biking trails, and great park areas, it's the perfect spot to get a breath of fresh air amidst the city. And even in the peak of summer, most of the trails feel more cool due to the thick tree coverage. I typically access the park through the Reedy Creek entrance off of I-40. There is no lack of parking, and while the restrooms are closed, there are mutiple porto johns available - so just make sure you have your hand sanitizer "handy"! If you are accessing the park from US 70, do note that the restrooms are open and available.

This is a beatiful, shady park with a long loop trail and lake views. There are some tripping and slipping hazards along the trail with exposed roots and muddy areas after rains, but very clean facilities and gorgeous views make up for everything.

Recently got into hiking and this park is by far my favorite so far. It is beautiful and the trail is well kept. I need to explore the other trails at this park but Company Mill Trail Loop is beautiful. Lots of streams and the sounds of water along this trail. I've hiked it twice.

I love this park. My husband and I would go to run on Saturday mornings. The trails are so beautiful, quiet, and peaceful. It's very relaxing to get out of the city and just experience the peacefulness. There are lots of trails, picnic tables, dog walkers, families, etc. The lakes are also peaceful.

Boyfriend and I were around the area and decided to stop by for an afternoon walk. We decided to hike Pott's Branch Trail since it was a good distance, totaling 1.3 miles. This is a beautiful (tons of scenic views) and huge park. Cons: It was a bit difficult to navigate and figure out the trails & the location is a bit far for us.

We enjoy this park a lot. You can go biking for miles or hiking too. There are picnic areas and even fishing. Better on-trail maps could help the newbies who arrive and want to explore. Estimated times/distances posted would be most helpful too! This is a beautiful park, so much to do and see. Make sure you bring plenty of water and a charged up phone!

Love this park. Several hiking options mostly shaded. Can hammock or kayak but shouldn't swim in the water. It's never too crowded and there's plenty of parking

Heard good things about this place and always seem to drive by it near the airport or on the way to working at Rex Raleigh, so I finally got a chance to see it... snow covered. It's pretty gorgeous in the snow and well used (lots of people about, trail running, or with their families.) I was impressed with the clean, well stocked bathrooms (with heat!) at the visitor's parking lot and plenty of trail maps on hand (came from the I-40 side off Harrison.) Yeah for well maintained, free state parks (in California, it costs to get into any state park... budget issues!) It was a cold brisk walk, but enjoyable.

Horrible campground. Next to an airport and you can not leave. Gates close at 9 so if you wanna get dinner or need to leave for any reason you are screwed.

Love coming here. There are so many trails, you can almost always find a new part of the park that you haven't been to before. A lot of the trails cross an access road pretty regularly, which is great for safety--my girlfriend twisted her ankle really badly here once, but luckily there was an access road just a quarter mile away that we hobbled to where a ranger picked us up and brought us back to our car.