
COVID-19 information for parks under Modified Stay at Home Order
Posted on: Thursday, January 14, 2021 - 11:54am |
Trails

Due to rain delays Group Camp Road is still under repair and will remain closed. Access has been blocked off for all traffic including bicycles and pedestrians beginning at Maintenance Road.
Please use the Reedy Creek Entrance (2100 N. Harrison Avenue, Cary) to access the Multi-use trail for hiking and biking until the repair is complete.
Last updated on: Thursday, January 14, 2021The horse trailer parking area is currently in use for maintenance material. Until further notice, no horses are allowed in the park. Please check the website for updates on when the parking lot will re-open.
Last updated on: Wednesday, January 6, 2021Weekend delays: William B. Umstead has been routinely reaching full parking capacity on weekends and visitors must wait for one vehicle leaves before the next vehicle may enter. Please be prepared by arriving early morning and late afternoon, and have a backup plan if the park is full when you arrive. Weekdays are the best time to visit to avoid parking closures and crowds.
There are no water fountains available. Please Bring WATER!
The visitor center is open. To enter the visitor center you MUST wear a mask, and there is a maximum of 6 people inside at all times. The museum inside the visitor centr remains closed. Park maps are availabe outside to the right of the front doors.
Crabtree shelter #2 is open daily.
Youth Tent Camp is open only on Friday and Saturday, and there is a two-night minimum to rent.
To make reservations for any of our facilities, you must book it online or by calling 1-877-722-6762.
Camp Lapihio, Camp Crabtree, Sycamore Cabins, Reedy Creek Shelters 1 & 2, and Crabtree Shelter 1 and Maple Hill Lodge all remain CLOSED.
There will also be NO BOAT RENTALS until further notice.
Please note that this alert is updated only when something changes. Generally, state parks are following the phased reopening statewide. As of October 3, we are following modified Phase 3. North Carolina Executive Order 180 is currently in effect.
Last updated on: Monday, January 4, 2021Contact the park
919-571-4170
william.umstead@ncparks.gov
Addresses
Crabtree Creek access
and visitor center
8801 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27617
GPS: 35.8905, -78.7502
Reedy Creek access
2100 N. Harrison Ave.
Cary, NC 27513
GPS: 35.8334, -78.7603
Hours
►
- November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- May to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- November to February:
8:00am to 6:00pm
- March to April:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- May to August:
8:00am to 9:00pm
- September to October:
8:00am to 8:00pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- The visitor center is currently closed until further notice due to COVID-19 precautions.
- Open daily:
9:00am to 5:00pm
- Exhibit hall open daily:
9:00am to 4:30pm
- Closed Christmas Day
►
- Tent and trailer family campground is open from April 1 to October 31
- The campground gates currently open at 8:00am and close at 9:00pm due to COVID-19 procedures. These new campground gate hours are in effect until further notice.
- April:
7:00am to 9:00pm
- May to August:
7:00am to 10:00pm
- September to October:
7:00am to 9:00pm
List of trails
More than twenty miles of hiking trails provide access to most of William B. Umstead State Park. Visitors may choose between a short stroll along a nature trail or a more extensive hike into the woods. Either choice will be rewarding as the beauty and diversity of the park's natural resources are best seen from any one of its many trails. Some of the trails at the park interconnect; to avoid becoming lost, pay close attention to trail markers. No bikes or horses are allowed on hiking trails.
For people who prefer horseback or bicycling, approximately 13 miles of multiuse trails travel through some of the most scenic and secluded parts of the park. Horses and bikes are restricted to the multiuse trails and are not permitted in other areas of the park, including hiking trails. Multiuse parking is available on Sycamore Road past Maple Hill Lodge. All visitors with horses must be able to provide proof of a negative equine infectious anemia (Coggins) test while visiting North Carolina State Parks. All equestrians must check in at the Visitor Center, which is located off Highway 70/Glenwood Avenue, prior to riding on the multiuse trails.
Company Mill Trail begins with the one mile spur to Crabtree Creek and the site of Company Mill. After crossing the bridge, the spur connects to the loop. Scenic areas along the trail include the banks of Crabtree and Sycamore Creek. Signs of an additional mill, Lynn Mill, can be found along Sycamore Creek.
5.80 miles
loop
moderate hike
Orange Squares
A short loop that connects to Company Mill Trail. A section of the trail follows a small stream to the south. To the north, the trail offers views into the slopes along Crabtree Creek with dense thickets of mountain laurel. Benches are available along the route and several species of trees are identified with interpretive signs.
0.40 miles
loop
easy hike
This out and back trail crosses Reedy Creek and continues to the park boundary. For those looking to venture farther, the trail connects to Schenck Forest. Options for loops are available at intersections with the park’s multi-use trail at Reedy Creek Trail and South Turkey Creek Trail.
2.70 miles
one way
moderate hike
Blue Squares
Trace along a route through local history. Much of the park’s multi-use trail was at one time roads that connected a small farming community. There are several options for accessing the trail with the main trailhead located at the end of Sycamore Road. Reedy Creek Trail connects to the Cary and Raleigh greenway systems.
13.00 miles
moderate hike
red circle
A short loop includes the feature for which the trail is named as a highlight. The trail crosses a small stream, Sal’s Branch, at two points along the route. Stonework including a check dam and culvert are signs of early projects to restore the land and build a park. This is also the park’s TRACK Trail.
0.60 miles
loop
easy hike
White Squares
Park Maps and Brochures: