William B. Umstead State Park is a 5,599-acre state park located in Wake County, North Carolina, nestled between the cities of Raleigh, Cary, and Durham. This urban oasis features a landscape of rolling hills and dense woodlands, primarily composed of mixed hardwood and pine forests, alongside three manmade lakes and several creeks. The varied terrain and natural features make William B. Umstead State Park suitable for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, jogging, road cycling, and more.
126
Routes
4.5
(133)
Average rating
2530
People visited

5.0
(4)
93
hikers
10km
02:41
120m
110m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
10
hikers
9.85km
02:39
120m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
5.07km
01:23
60m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
1
hikers
1.07km
00:17
10m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.6
(14)
79
riders
9.07km
00:45
50m
50m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

14
riders
9.09km
00:45
70m
70m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
10
riders
13.4km
01:13
160m
160m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
67
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

20
riders
71.2km
03:04
470m
470m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(3)
61
riders
31.8km
01:48
160m
160m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

28
riders
17.4km
00:46
100m
100m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
22
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

3
runners
16.0km
01:55
210m
210m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

2
runners
11.7km
01:19
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
runners
4.92km
00:34
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

82
runners
8.48km
00:54
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.9
(12)
105
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

36
riders
19.4km
01:07
190m
190m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(15)
115
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

35
riders
12.4km
01:01
80m
80m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

56
riders
14.4km
01:12
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
25
riders
12.5km
01:11
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

22
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
William B. Umstead State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, jogging, and road cycling. The park features an extensive network of trails and gravel roads suitable for these sports. It is a 5,599-acre urban oasis located in Wake County, North Carolina.
Popular hiking trails include the Company Mill Trail (5.8 miles [9.3 km]), Sycamore Trail (7.2 miles [11.6 km]), and Sal's Branch Trail (2.8 miles [4.5 km]). The park has over 34 miles [55 km] of hiking trails, ranging from short nature strolls to longer treks. More information can be found in the Hiking in William B. Umstead State Park guide.
Yes, William B. Umstead State Park offers easy hikes suitable for beginners and those seeking less strenuous options. These trails provide accessible ways to experience the park's natural beauty. Specific routes are detailed in the Easy hikes in William B. Umstead State Park guide.
William B. Umstead State Park provides approximately 13 miles [21 km] of multi-use trails open to mountain biking. These often consist of gravel roads, suitable for various skill levels. Designated multi-use trails like Graylyn Trail (1.6 miles [2.6 km] one-way) offer cycling opportunities. Consult the MTB Trails in William B. Umstead State Park guide for more details.
William B. Umstead State Park offers several trails suitable for families, providing accessible outdoor experiences. These routes are generally less strenuous and allow for enjoyable outings with children. Information on specific family-friendly options is available in the Family-friendly hikes in William B. Umstead State Park guide.
Dogs are permitted on trails in William B. Umstead State Park, provided they are kept on a leash. This allows visitors to enjoy the park's natural environment with their canine companions. For specific dog-friendly routes, refer to the Dog-friendly hikes in William B. Umstead State Park guide.
The park's landscape features rolling hills, dense woodlands, and three manmade lakes: Big Lake, Sycamore Lake, and Reedy Creek Lake. Several creeks, including Crabtree Creek and Reedy Creek, traverse the park. A significant natural feature is the 61-acre Piedmont Beech Natural Area, accessible by permit.
The park's multi-use trails and wide gravel paths are suitable for road cycling and touring. These routes offer a scenic setting through dense woods. Connections to the Cary and Raleigh greenway systems further enhance cycling opportunities. Explore options in the Road Cycling Routes in William B. Umstead State Park guide.
William B. Umstead State Park is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 15,000 visitors sharing their experiences. The park's 65 routes have an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users exploring the park.
William B. Umstead State Park offers various trails suitable for jogging and running. The park's multi-use trails and gravel roads provide diverse terrain for runners. Detailed information and specific routes can be found in the Running Trails in William B. Umstead State Park guide.
The official website for William B. Umstead State Park is ncparks.gov/state-parks/william-b-umstead-state-park. The Visitor Center can be reached at (984) 867-8240, and the General Information/Park Office at (919) 571-4170.

