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Umstead State Park

While all efforts have been made to keep the information below up-to-date, please refer to Umstead State Park’s website, http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/wium/home.html, for rules and regulations, park hours, and other up-to-date information.

Introduction
Admiring the lush pine, maple, birch, oak, rhododendron, and beech forests, visitors are amazed by such a diverse and beautiful sanctuary so close to the heart of the capital city and suburbia. Umstead State Park is a 5,557 acre home to white-tailed deer, red fox, gray fox, peregrine falcons, the four-toed salamander and an important escape from the stresses of urban life. Here, time seems to stand still as bikers experience the thrill of a high-speed downhill, a family canoes, a runner bravely scales the steep hill on the Cedar Ridge Trail, and a child discovers the outdoors for the first time.

Location/Park Map
Nestled in between Interstate 40 and Highway 70, Umstead Park is a convenient recreational area for equine use, hiking, biking, picnicking, and fishing. The southeastern border of the park borders Schenck Forest and the North Carolina State University research farms.
[Driving Directions]
[PDF Park Map]
[JPEG Park Map]

Value
Umstead State Park is invaluable for the protection of our waters by serving as a filter for sediments and pollutants. Its trees help to mediate air pollution. Its land is a home for wildlife. The park provides many citizens with recreational opportunities as well.

Our Impacts on the Park
The health of the park is directly impacted by our litter, noise, and surrounding development. As visitors to the park we must remember to pack out our litter and avoid feeding wildlife. As stewards of the park we must advocate for the protection of lands that surround Umstead. The western border faces continuing threats from increased development along Ebenezer Church Road. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is a source of noise and air pollution to the north.

Recreation

Hiking
Umstead State Park offers approximately 20 miles of hiking on either the wide bridle/biking trails, or on single-track trails extending throughout the entire park. Maps are available on this website and at the visitor center. Horses and bikes are restricted from the single-track trails. All trails are marked with blazes, colored plastic markers on trees, and hikers are encouraged to use these blazes to ensure a safer visit. Trails range in distance and difficulty. All trails are unique, leading to some of the park’s most admired places – Big Lake, the Company Mill Site, Reedy Creek Lake, and Sycamore Lake.

Biking
The biking trails in Umstead ascend steep hills, but also give way to excitement at scenic overlooks and fast-paced down hills. Like the hiking trails, Umstead has a little bit of everything for everyone. Bikes are restricted to the bridle trails (Reedy Creek Trail, Cedar Ridge Trail, North Turkey Creek Trail, South Turkey Creek Trail, Reedy Creek Lake Trail, and the Graylyn Trail).

Horseback Riding
Umstead is one of the only public parks in the area open to horses. Horses are restricted to the approximately 13 miles of bridle trails (Reedy Creek Trail, Cedar Ridge Trail, North Turkey Creek Trail, South Turkey Creek Trail, Reedy Creek Lake Trail, and the Graylyn Trail). Parking for trailers can be found past Maple Hill Lodge on Sycamore Road. According to the North Carolina’s Division of Parks and Recreation, “All visitors with horses must be able to provide proof of a negative equine infectious anemia (Coggins) test while visiting North Carolina State Parks.”

Fishing
Fishing is allowed in Umstead’s three lakes: Big Lake, Sycamore Lake, and Reedy Creek Lake, and in the connecting streams. Keep in mind that the regulations of North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are enforced.

Hunting/Trapping
Not allowed. 


Camping
Want to spend more time in Umstead? Sleep under the stars, choosing from the six different camping choices that the park has to offer: tent, trailer, lodge, primitive group, group, and youth tent camping. Regardless of the style of camping you chose, each offers you a night enjoying the sounds of the only natural area of its size in the region. Check the website for costs, forms, dates, and regulations.

Shelters
Enjoy the park on a special occasion with friends and family! Umstead offers four shelters – two in the Crabtree Creek Section and the other two in the Reedy Creek Section.
Reedy Creek Section (accessed from Harrison Avenue, Cary) - Shelter #1 accommodates a maximum of 125 people with a stone deck and fireplace. Shelter #2 holds up to 60 people with a stone fireplace as well.
Crabtree Creek Section (accessed from Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh) - Shelter #1 allows for 100 people. Shelter #2 can handle up to 20 people and both have fireplaces.
Visit the website for reservation forms.

Boating
Big Lake, located in the northern portion of the park and under the RDU flight path for airplane enthusiasts, can be accessed from the Highway 70/Glenwood entrance. This is the only lake in the park that offers boat rental — canoes and rowboats. Check the website for up-to-date boat rental information: http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/wium/do.html#b

Visitor Center/Exhibit Hall
The Visitor Center is located on Umstead Parkway, accessed from Glenwood Avenue. Below are the Center’s hours:
November-February, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
March-October, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
Check the Division of Park and Recreation’s website for Umstead to see what exhibits are currently offered http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/visit/wium/do.html#ex

History
Today, William B. Umstead State Park is densely populated with oak, hickory, beech, and pine. The park is a center for biking, hiking, and camping in the region. Cross-country teams pound the trails, bikers leave dust clouds in their paths, boaters move smoothly through glass-like water, children fill the air with laughter, families picnic, and hikers discover the most intimate parts of the park. It’s hard to believe that a park, so vital to the area’s natural and recreational needs was not always this way.
Prior to 1774, Native Americans lived in this area along with American bison, elk, bobcats, and wolves. In the north, the Occoneeche Trail and to the south, the Pee Dee Trail were used for trade.
Beginning in 1774, land grants encouraged settlement. Forests were cleared for agriculture and present-day Umstead was a farm. One-crop farming and certain practices caused erosion and depleted nutrients. This led to great difficulties for farmers, so the federal and state government assisted in 1934 to buy 5,000 acres of this worn out farmland for a recreation area, known as “Crabtree Creek Recreational Demonstration Area.” During the Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) gave unemployed workers the jobs of building cabins and picnic areas. Camp Ranoca, a City of Raleigh summer camp for area children, uses cabins today that were built by the CCC.
The state bought the recreational area for $1 in 1943. The state park was only open to whites. In 1950, 1,000 acres of the park was separated as the “Reedy Creek State Park” for African-Americans. The Crabtree Creek Recreation Area was renamed as “William B. Umstead State Park” after the former North Carolina Governor and conservationist William Bradley Umstead in 1955. In 1966, Reedy Creek State Park was incorporated into Umstead Park, and park segregation was abolished.
Since then, more land has been acquired from surrounding landowners, including land owned by the Angus Barn, a nearby restaurant. Facilities have been refurbished. New trails such as North Turkey Creek Trial have been added to the park’s trail system. But ultimately the future of the park depends on us. Surrounding development is increasing the noise, air, and water pollution. Action must be taken today to ensure Umstead’s legacy of providing a natural and recreational asset to North Carolinians.