Park Maps and Brochures:
The Reedy Creek Lake multi-use trail and bridge at William B. Umstead State Park has re-opened as of January 29, 2019.
Last updated on: Tuesday, January 29, 2019
William B. Umstead State Park offers a variety of learning opportunities for all ages. Typically led by park rangers, these interpretive programs allow the public to gain perspective into what makes North Carolina state parks naturally wonderful.
Most of the events are free, though some require pre-registration. All give park visitors deeper insight into the natural world. Call the park office for more information.
Join Holly for 2.8 mile hike on Sal's Branch. Sal's branch leads down to Big Lake and loops back to the Visitor Center. Along the way, you can observe what plants are doing in during the winter and who's nested in the trees.
Program Length: 2 hour
Reservations required. Limited to 10 Adults. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
This program is designed for new parents to explore the outdoors with their newborn children (less than 1 year). This stroller hike will start off in the Harrison Avenue Parking Lot (which has bathrooms with running water and an area to change babies) and walk 1/2 mile (1 mile round trip) staying on a paved road. For those wanting to continue on with more more robust strollers or other child carriers, there is an option to continue another half a mile down to Reedy Creek Lake on our Multi-Use Trail. This program serves a great opportunity for new parents and guardians to get outside with their babies, converse with other new parents, and meet other new moms and dads in our area. *Strollers are not needed, babies can be carried in backpacks and other carriers as well.*
Program Length: 1 hour
Reservations required. Limited to 10 Adults. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
We will start our 2 - 2 ½ mile hike at Sycamore cabins and hike down by the spillway and then go to the old quarry/ dynamite shack area, which is easily one of the prettiest parts of the park. From there we will continue on the Sycamore Trail until we hit Graylyn Road and we will walk up the road visiting the family homesites and graveyards that are there. You will learn about the people of Cedar Forks community that used to live here at the park. This is a moderate hike with one long uphill with some off-trail parts.
Program Length: 2 hours
Reservations required. Limited to 25 people. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
This hike will circle Big Lake (about a 4-mile hike) and show some beautiful parts of Umstead State Park that people rarely see. On the way we will see what is going on in the spring woods. On the back end of the Lake we have to cross two creeks that don't have bridges so be mentally prepared for sketchy log crossings. On the positive side of potentially falling in the creek, everyone else usually enjoys the show.
Program Length: 2 hours
Reservations required. Limited to 25 people. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
Join a Park Ranger and dive into the exciting world of Wild Edible foods that can be found right here in your own backyard. This hike will serve as an education look at the different types of plants that are edible in some capacity. We will be sniffing, tasting, and munching on wild edible foods but certainly not taking more than we need for educational purposes. This walk will hike a total of 1.5 miles on a mixture of trails, paved walkways, and open forest so dress accordingly with proper footwear.
Program Length: 2 hours
Reservations required. Limited to 12 people. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
8801 Glenwood Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27617
919-571-4170
william.umstead@ncparks.gov
GPS: 35.8905, -78.7502
Closed Christmas Day
Closed Christmas Day
8:00am to 5:00pm daily
Closed Christmas Day
9:00am to 4:30pm
Closed Christmas Day
Open March 15 to November 1
