Park Maps and Brochures:
William B. Umstead is looking for a seasonal office assistant to help out in the Visitor Center. If interested, please submit an application to the park office.
https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/nc-state-government-application-employment-pd-107
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 to hike the Loblolly Trail to the stone crossing. There are areas of this trail that call out – slow down and relax! This will be casual 2-mile hike unless the group decides to explore further. The pace will be slow, geared to those that want to get out in nature but need/want a gentler pace.
Program Length: 3 hours
Reservations required. Limited to 10 people. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
Join a Park Ranger as we canoe around Big Lake to see some of the flora, fauna, and natural beauty that this body of water has to offer. We'll scope out some wild edible foods, look for evidence of beaver activity, and do our part to help clean up the keep our watershed clean by picking up any trash we see along the way. As to not hold up the rest of the group, this program requires moderate paddling ability so if this is your first time, or if you're not a strong paddler, this may not be the program for you. Boats can have 2 adults and a child maximum. The Boathouse can be reached by parking in the last parking lot at the end of Umstead Parkway and hiking down the 1/4 mile "Boathouse Trail".
Program Length: 1 hour
Reservations required. Limited to 10 people. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
This is for families with an interest in connecting young children with nature. The time together will be varied; from wood games, crafts, woodlore, to spontaneous play and nature exploration. We will meet at Umstead State Park. Ranger Billy will lead the group and be open to other members of the group helping out with sharing their skills and passion as well. If you want your kids to connect with nature, then the second step is for them to have fun in nature. The first step, of course, is for their big people to have fun in nature as well. Start here together. This is geared for ages 3 through 6.
Program Length: 1 hour
Reservations required. Limited to 15 kids. Please call the visitor center at 919-571-4170 to make reservations.
This is for people who are interested in learning how to track and read sign. We will go to parts of the park few people go to and you will discover the oldest language in the world. Mature young people above 12 only or those with an adult. Call Ranger Billy for questions.
Program Length: 2 hours
Reservations required. Limited to 15 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
8801 Glenwood Ave. entrance
2100 N. Harrison Ave. entrance
Tent and trailer family campground open
April 1 to November 1
