The only state park in Raleigh, Umstead State Park is an oasis of green inside a bustling city. As soon as you enter the front gates you feel like you’ve gone into a different world. With the towering trees surrounding you everywhere you turn, the noise of the city fades away while sounds of nature take center stage.
Umstead State Park is over 5,599 acres that contains hiking trails, lakes for boating and fishing, picnic shelters, and campgrounds. Due to the massive size of the park, I could pretty much write a novel and still not cover everything. Instead, I’ll just be highlighting my favorite spots at the park.
Keep in mind there are multiple park entrances. Unfortunately they do not meet up for passage through the park to the other side. Based on what you want to do, you will need to choose your entrance accordingly. For the highlighted activities below, all are accessible from Glenwood at the Crabtree Creek Entrance.
Exhibit Hall
**Closed during the COVID-19 Pandemic**
As you enter the Crabtree Creek Entrance, you are greeted by a large building to your right. The exhibit hall contains information and interactive exhibits highlighting the park construction and natural history of the land, including stories of weather, soil, and wildlife habitats. This is a great spot to visit when the weather is not cooperating, and you’ll learn a lot too! A few trails also connect right behind the building, so this can be a handy spot to park and take a walk!
Park Staff also host educational programs at the park throughout the year, and most of them meet here. You can check the calendar of events to see what’s coming up.
Big Lake
If you keep driving past the exhibit hall you will eventually come to a dead end with a parking lot near the Big Lake. Don’t laugh – The name of this lake is actually Big Lake! I guess they weren’t feeling too creative when they named it!
This is usually the main spot I go to when visiting Umstead State Park. It’s an easy walk down to the lake, although not stroller friendly due to the roots exposed from erosion. From there you will have a gorgeous view of the lake and can have a picnic near the water. I might also be a little biased of this area since my husband proposed to me right on that bridge so many years ago! What’s funny is that I just recently learned that one of my friends was also proposed to here as well. It’s obviously a great spot!
You can also rent a boat to explore the lake further (not available during the pandemic). Boat rentals are available from April 1 to October 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Boat rentals are $7 per boat (cash, check or credit card).
Chainsaw Tree Art
If you’re looking for a unique type of treasure hunt, set out to find the chainsaw tree art on the Graylyn trail. I’m not sure who made this wonderful work of art, but they have carved intricate details and animals into the wood.The easiest way to find it is to park at the Sycamore Lot and enter the trail from there.
At first, you will pass a small log cabin on your right. Continue until the trail dead ends and take a right. The trail will dead end again and you take another right. Walk about 0.3 miles and this gorgeous work of art carved into a fallen tree will be on your left. It’s about a mile up and a mile back, so it’s an easy walk. The trail widens at this point, so you could bring a stroller along, although it will be bumpy on the gravel at first.
Looking for more state parks in the area? Try Falls Lake, Jordan Lake, Eno River and Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area!