Field guide
Running routes and hiking near Raleigh for visitors
Find practical information for running and hiking near Raleigh. Guide to trails at William B. Umstead State Park and Eno River State Park.
Visitors looking for places to run or hike near Raleigh have options in nearby state parks. William B. Umstead State Park is located in Wake County and offers separate trail networks for hiking and biking.
Eno River State Park is located in Durham and Orange counties. It provides multiple trail systems across different access points, including a section of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail.
| Place | Distance (official) | Hours | Surface |
|---|---|---|---|
| William B. Umstead State Park | 34.5 miles; 13 miles | Not listed | Not listed |
| Eno River State Park | 13 miles; 6 miles | Not listed | Not listed |
William B. Umstead State Park
This park provides 34.5 miles of hiking trails and 13 miles of biking trails. Runners using the biking trails should be prepared to share the path with cyclists. The park contains Big Lake and Sycamore Lake, and the Sycamore Bridge crosses Sycamore Creek.
Access is available at two entrances: the Crabtree Creek Access on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh and the Reedy Creek Entrance on North Harrison Avenue in Cary. The park has a bathhouse and provides parking for horse trailers.
- Type of place
- State Park
- Location
- Wake County, 11 miles northwest of downtown Raleigh
- Crabtree Creek Access Address
- 8801 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27617
- Reedy Creek Entrance Address
- 2100 N. Harrison Ave., Cary, NC 27513
- Total hiking trail length
- 34.5 miles
- Total biking trail length
- 13 miles
- Visitor Center hours
- Open daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Day use entry fees
- No fees for day use, except for boat rentals
Sources: William B. Umstead State Park (ncparks.gov), William B. Umstead State Park: Home (ncparks.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Eno River State Park
This park's hiking trails are spread across several areas. The Fews Ford access has 13 miles of trails and the Cole Mill access has 6 miles. Other access points offer an additional 11 miles of trails. The park also includes a 7.5-mile one way segment of the Mountains-to-Sea State Trail. The Occoneechee Speedway Trail is noted as accessible.
- Park location
- In Durham and Orange counties, 10 miles northwest of downtown Durham
- Total hiking length at Fews Ford
- 13 miles
- Total hiking length at Cole Mill
- 6 miles
- Total hiking length at other accesses
- 11 miles
- Mountains-to-Sea State Trail length (within park)
- 7.5-mile one way
- Day use entry fees
- None
- Dog rules
- Allowed at park and campsites, not inside buildings, must be on attended leash no longer than 6 feet
- Park closure
- Closed on Christmas Day
Sources: Eno River State Park: Home (ncparks.gov), Eno River: Trails (ncparks.gov). Official pages, checked Oct 21, 2026.
Before you go
- There are no fees for day use entry at these parks.
- Pets are permitted but must be on an attended leash with a maximum length of 6 feet.
- Pets are not allowed inside any park buildings.
- The Visitor Center at William B. Umstead State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Eno River State Park is closed on Christmas Day.
- Be aware of other users on multi-use trails, such as the 13 miles of biking trails at Umstead.
More cities: City running and hiking guides.