Umstead State Park - Sycamore Trail - Hiking trail near Raleigh, North Carolina, United States - Description

The Sycamore Trail offers the park’s best glimpse into its past, in part because it’s Umstead’s longest trail. Umstead’s more recent past presents itself within the first few hundred yards. The blue-blazed trail descends immediately to Potts Branch, a small draw that felt the wrath of Hurricane Fran in 1996 as much as any part of the park. Fran made a direct hit on Umstead, washing away bridges, flattening buildings, and blowing over hundreds of trees. Along Potts Branch, the massive beeches and oaks that lie helter-skelter are a reminder of the hurricane’s destruction.

William B. Umstead State Park is located in Wake County between Raleigh and Durham.

The Crabtree Creek section is located 10 miles northwest of Raleigh off US 70. The park visitor’s 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 the park office and visitor’s center.

The entrance to the Reedy Creek section is 11 miles west of Raleigh off I-40. From I-40, take the Harrison Avenue exit and travel northeast into the park.