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Facilities

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Roads

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Activities

Established Camping

William B. Umstead State Park Campground

18 Reviews

About

State Park

Sites are meant for tent/pop-up camping only. No RV or Trailer is accessible.

Located in Wake County 10 miles northwest of downtown Raleigh, William B. Umstead State Park is a cherished retreat from bustling urban life. The park features an extensive network of hiking and multiuse trails, as well as three manmade lakes and their tributaries that are perfect for fishing. Both park entrances offer picnic shelters, and Crabtree Creek offers camping areas. Group camps and the historic Maple Hill Lodge let visitors experience a rustic overnight experience without typical modern camping amenities.

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Location

William B. Umstead State Park Campground is located in North Carolina

Directions

The Crabtree Creek section is located 10 miles northwest of Raleigh off US 70. The park visitors center and camping facilities are located in this section. From I-40, turn northeast on I-540 and take the US 70 exit. Travel southeast on US 70, and turn right on Umstead Parkway, which leads to Visitors center. After entering the park, turn right onto Campground Road.

Address

8801 Glenwood Ave
Cary, NC 27513

Coordinates

35.84200011 N
78.74400097 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Available
AT&T
Available
T-Mobile
Unknown

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group
Cabins
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Reservations

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Amelia P.

Traveler

Reviewed Apr. 11, 2022

Very small

Avoid site 6! There’s so many tree roots, it’s an awful tripping hazard around a fire pit with kids! There are only three spaces out sites, 18,19,21. These sites are 10x10 designate for your tent, and picnic table and fire ring. Some are very very close together. The trails are good, the bathrooms are clean and maintained. Firewood can be purchased for $6/bundle. Be aware this is right next to the airport, you will hear planes all day and most all night landing and taking off.

Site6

Month of VisitMay

(5) View All

Jason G.

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 28, 2022

Great park but bad info

We live down the road from this park. I noticed it came up when I was looking for camping options in the area for my RV. While it says the park offers RV spots on the Dyrt website, the park actually doesn’t.

Month of VisitFebruary

Myron C.

Legend

Reviewed May. 1, 2021

State Park Oasis in the Middle of a Metropolis

It’s not often that you see a state park in the heart of a metropolitan area. Although it’s not in the city limits, you are surrounded by cities. Without the noise of the neighboring international airport, it’s like any other natural area. However, camping in a tent means you will be hearing the sounds of jets all day long and throughout the night. Otherwise, it might have been a pleasant experience. This campground is in a state park that has a lot of trails, good areas for bicycling, and water sports such as swimming, canoeing, and fishing. When I was there, however, many of the facilities were closed. I did get a chance to take advantage of the trails, and they are relatively easy. Because of the pandemic, access to the bath house was limited in terms of hours. The sites are level and spacious, and they are not too close to other sites. It didn’t really matter when I went since there were very few campers. I can only imagine what it will be like when peak season starts, but as I said earlier, the sites are not on top of each other. The bath house was clean but only utilitarian. They could use updating. There is a place outside of the bath house to wash dishes, so you are encouraged to wash them there instead of dumping dishwater in the bath house or at your campsite. Overall, this campground is pretty good if you don’t mind the noise of the jets. If you want to experience total immersion into the wilderness and solitude, I would suggest a more remote camping area.

(16) View All

Samantha P.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 5, 2020

Great Spot

This is a very easy park to find. Decent amount of parking, but it is a highly trafficked area. I have not yet camped here, but I've hiked on the trails. There are multiple trails, for varying skill level.

Cara G.

Scout

Reviewed May. 26, 2019

Great Spot

Primitive camping has drive in, picnic table, fire ring, tent spot, and trails starting at your back door ⛺️

Jennifer M.

Scout

Reviewed May. 15, 2019

Amazing paths

Love this place! Lots of great paths to walk.

Month of VisitApril

Matt B.

Scout

Reviewed Jan. 9, 2019

Urban hiking

This park offers miles of hiking within Raleigh. You would never realize you were in Raleigh. It’s a great escape from traffic and noise a city can bring.

Brad F.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 6, 2018

Convenient to home

Nice place for a quick weekend getaway.

Month of VisitJuly

Sydney S.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2018

Peaceful and dense area with good amenities

This campground is right on a lake allowing for drive in campground with a body of water to swim, kayak, and enjoy only 100 yards away. Showers, bathrooms, and running drinking water is nearby. Campgrounds are close but separated by trees and forest to create privacy.

Month of VisitNovember

(4) View All

Dru H.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Perfect piedmont. Quick getaway from the city.

I have stayed at the lodges thrice and once ended up sleeping in my hammock. Good variety in hiking trail distances.

Month of VisitNovember

Erica F.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 16, 2018

I have stayed in the group camping sites many times and loved it.

there are historic cabins with cots to sleep on

there is electricity in the cabins.

Month of VisitNovember

Kelsey D.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 28, 2018

Clean, friendly, gate time closing.

The campgrounds close at 9pm! So you have to be in the park by 9 before the gate closes. Nice mountain bike trails though and a lovely park!

Month of VisitApril

Keith M.

Scout

Reviewed May. 17, 2018

Great outdoor place close to city

Nice place great hiking or running trails

Sarah M.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 30, 2016

LOVE this park

Umstead is an awesome place to come for the weekend whether you are into camping, hiking, running, or biking. There are a wide variety of single track to larger sand/dirt paths. My cross country team will come here for long day. There are pavilions that are great for cooking or serving a large brunch after our run. Would recommend!

Daniel P.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Excellent single track trails for running

I've been to this park over a dozen times to run, and every time seems better than the previous one. Depending on where you park, you can access excellent 8-14 mile loops on the main gravel paths. The single track trails will keep you entertained for quite some time. Consider bringing your bike with you too!

Bran P.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2016

Very Nice! Convenient and Easy to get to!

Umstead is conveniently located in the heart of Raleigh, NC. It seems to be an outdoor oasis as you can get lost in the woods with the hustle and bustle of the city all around you. The only bummer is the occasional airplane you will inevitably hear above you as the park is located right next to RDU international airport. Having said that, if you need a quick woods getaway and don't have much time, Umstead offers a fantastic network of trails and more!

(5) View All

Scott P.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 3, 2016

Hidden Gem

This is a great little campground right inside Raleigh. I've camped there several times with the kids and it's great because it's so close and there are a few good hikes in Umstead Park.

Ezra F.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2015

Normal campground, fantastic hiking!

My friend and I have been trying to learn the manly outdoors skills we never picked up as kids (because we're nerds), starting with hiking, climbing, and backpacking.

We've hiked umstead and other local trails almost every week for the past 5 months. The woods and hills are gorgeous and it feels quiet and secluded (despite being really near an airport, a highway, and a mall. I think it's because all the hikes start by going up and over several hills.

Reedy creek is particularly pretty and relaxing.

The campsites are your average campground spots. They're clean and nice but way too close to the highway. And without the park to buffer the sound, we heard cars and jets all night. A ranger drove a pickup truck through the campground a couple times selling firewood.