Overview

William B. Umstead State Park is one of North Carolina’s state parks. It has several trails, camping options, picnic areas and facilities. There are two entrances. The Crabtree Creek entrance is located at 8801 Glenwood Ave. Raleigh, NC 27617. The Reedy Creek entrance is located at 2100 N. Harrison Ave. Cary, NC 27513.

Park hours change through the year. The Park opens at 8 a.m. year-round. The Park closes at 6 p.m. from November to February. The Park closes at 8 p.m. in March, April, September and October. The Park closes at 9 p.m. from May to August. 

William B. Umstead State Park is 5439 acres in total  and is free to enter.

Facilities

There is parking located near both entrances.

There are four restrooms. Three are located off of the Crabtree Creek entrance and one is located at the Reedy Creek entrance.

Both the bathhouse and the visitor center are located off of the Crabtree Creek entrance.

Trails

There are 15 hiking trails in William B. Umstead State Park ranging from easy to moderate difficulty.

Six of the 15 hiking trails are multiuse trails meaning that both horseback riding and biking are allowed on those trails.

There are 22 miles of hiking trails. Many of them are wooded dirt trails. Some trails run next to creeks and include bridges in order to cross them.

Crabtree Creek

Camping

Tent/Trailer camping, group camping, youth camping, primitive cabins, and primitive lodges are all available.

The tent camping grounds, and group camping are open April through October. Primitive camping is open year-round, but reservations are required.

Group camping is available April through October and there are associated fees.

Lakes

There are three manmade lakes in William B. Umstead State Park. There is no swimming allowed in the Big Lake and the Reedy Creek Lake.