COVID-19 information for parks (Updated 3/26/2021)
Posted on: Friday, March 26, 2021 - 1:54pm |
Trails
Important information about visiting the park. Please read before coming to the park.
Important Information Before Visiting:
1. Bring WATER! There are no water fountains, please bring enough water to drink.
2. Bring a MAP! You can print maps online before you come to the park or pick one up at our Visitor Center or trail Kiosks. We have over 30 MILES of trails in the park and many trails are not loop trails so please bring a map and plan your hike. Pay special attenton to the distance and difficulty rating of the trails you will be on.
3. Gates lock at 8:00pm. Please plan your visit so you are able to leave before the gates lock.
Park hours will be 8:00am to 8:00pm on both sides of the park. *On Saturday and Sunday mornings, the Reedy Creek entrance at Harrison Avenue and I-40 will open at 7:00am. The Crabtree entrance at Glenwood Avenue will open at 8:00am seven days a week. Entry before or after operating hours is trespassing.
*IMPORTANT: The park will close when full and no cars will be allowed to enter until more parking becomes available. As one vehicle leaves the park, the next vehicle in line will be allowed to enter.
4. We are opening trails and restrooms to provide fresh air and exercise during this difficult time. Visitors should make their visits brief and focus on moving through the park, without stopping any place where multiple people may be in one area. This is not the time to “hang out” at the park.
5. Please bring hand sanitizer and go to the bathroom before coming to the park. Restrooms will be open, but we have limited supplies of toilet paper and soap, so please conserve.
6. Please follow all current state guidelines on social distancing and gatherings. Visitors should maintain a social distance, including on trails — move aside for people to pass.
7. Visitors should wear a face covering, like a bandana or a mask, that allows them to breathe easily on the trail without spreading as many germs.
8. If you are hiking in a group, walk single file when you are passing someone on a trail.
*Special Message: We are still operating the park on a limited opening capacity to allow people to visit and enjoy the park and the outdoors while also adjusting operations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. COVID-19 Guidelines and Recommendations should still be followed. Please keep proper social distance, allow room for others to pass, and avoid gathering in groups.
Please also respect park staff who have been given specific operational guidelines for cleaning and social distancing requirements for their safety and to reduce the potential spread of infection.
*Visitor behavior is IMPERATIVE to create conditions that will allow us to keep our parks open. Failure to respect these guidelines could cause parks to be closed and may impact additional park facilities from reopening.*
Last updated on: Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Current status of park facilities
Weekend delays: William B. Umstead has been routinely reaching full parking capacity on weekends and visitors must wait for one vehicle to leave before the next vehicle may enter. Please be prepared by arriving early morning or 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 center remains closed. Park maps are available 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: Saturday, February 27, 2021
Contact 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
Location: Reedy Creek Entrance (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary)
Description:
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.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
5.80 miles
loop
5.80 miles
loop
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
Orange Squares
Orange Squares
Inspiration Trail
Location: Reedy Creek Entrance (2100 N Harrison Ave, Cary)
Description:
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.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.40 miles
loop
0.40 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
Loblolly Trail
Location: Back righthand corner of the Reedy Creek Entrance parking lot.
Description:
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.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
2.70 miles
one way
2.70 miles
one way
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
Blue Squares
Blue Squares
Multiuse Trails
Location:
Description:
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.
Surface:
Length:
13.00 miles
13.00 miles
Difficulty:
moderate hike
moderate hike
Blaze:
red circle
red circle
Oak Rock Trail
Location: Small Parking lot at Crabtree Creek Picnic Area.
Description:
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.
Surface: natural surface
Length:
0.60 miles
loop
0.60 miles
loop
Difficulty:
easy hike
easy hike
Blaze:
White Squares
White Squares
Park Maps and Brochures:
Upcoming Events:
Friday, June 11, 2021 - 5:30pm