# William B. Umstead State Park Winter Hardwood Trails & Sycamore Trail Hike > Place to go for families in the Raleigh–Cary area (NC). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Open on its own schedule - Where: William B. Umstead State Park, 8801 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617 - Ages: All ages (paved multi-use paths great for all-terrain strollers; woodland footpaths for active children and families) - Price: Free admission and parking throughout all park entrances; visitor center and educational exhibits free - Organizer: North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation - Official page: https://www.ncparks.gov/ - Last checked: Thu, Nov 5 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 10, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/william-b-umstead-state-park-winter-hardwood-trails-and-sycamore-trail--listing-b2d91e58e3b615c024a191e9 ## About Spanning more than 5,500 pristine acres between Raleigh and Cary, William B. Umstead State Park is a tranquil natural retreat where families can recharge amidst winter beauty. With leaves fallen from the mature oak, beech, and hickory trees, the winter forest unveils striking topographic views, babbling rocky creeks, and peaceful lake vistas across Big Lake and Sycamore Creek. Families with young explorers can stroll the gentle paved multi-use trails or tackle the scenic 0.6-mile Oak Rock Nature Trail starting near the Crabtree Creek visitor center. Inside the heated visitor center, kids can examine taxidermy wildlife mounts, touch natural artifacts, and learn about Piedmont geology before heading outdoors to spot winter songbirds, woodpeckers, and white-tailed deer traversing the leaf-strewn forest floor. Family Experience & Accessibility: • Stroller Accessibility: Paved multi-use trails and hard-packed gravel bridle paths support rugged strollers; visitor center is fully ADA wheelchair/stroller accessible. • Nursing & Rest Spots: Heated visitor center with indoor seating, educational discovery exhibits, and clean restrooms with baby changing stations. • Age Suitability: Perfect for all ages; gentle lake loops suit young walkers while longer trail spurs satisfy adventurous hikers. • Sensory Tips: Peaceful, serene nature sounds with bubbling creek waters and crunching leaves underfoot; minimal crowds during crisp winter mornings. ## Similar picks in Raleigh - [Hug-A-Tree Youth Lost-in-the-Woods Safety Program at Umstead State Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/hug-a-tree-youth-lost-in-the-woods-safety-program-at-umstead-state-par--listing-691d530b0f16f9b839940118) — Sat, Nov 14 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM · William B. Umstead State Park — Crabtree Creek Visitor Center · Ages 7–11 · Free · checked Oct 27. Rangers at William B. Umstead State Park run Hug-A-Tree, a preventative search-and-rescue program for children of roughly 7 to 11 and the parent or guardian who comes with them… - [William B. Umstead State Park](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/william-b-umstead-state-park--listing-b0e18a0eed46b5458edddb89) — Crabtree Creek entrance: November–February 8 am–6 pm (October 8 am–8 pm). Visitor center… · William B. Umstead State Park — Crabtree Creek Entrance and Visitor Center · All ages · Free · checked Oct 24. A large state park between Raleigh, Cary and RTP with 34.5 miles of hiking trails, 13 miles of multi-use trails for bikes and horses, and three lakes with their creeks for… - [Lake Crabtree County Park Winter Waterfowl Watching & Biking Trails](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lake-crabtree-county-park-winter-waterfowl-watching-and-biking-trails--listing-ff50016a8e5b625c4662153d) — Open on its own schedule · Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Nestled adjacent to Research Triangle Park in Morrisville, Lake Crabtree County Park encompasses 215 acres of parkland fronting a sprawling 520-acre flood-control reservoir. In… - [William B. Umstead State Park Thanksgiving Sal's Branch Trail Hike](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/william-b-umstead-state-park-thanksgiving-sal-s-branch-trail-hike--listing-e3934dc6dc843c76a5a4a91d) — Thu, Nov 26 · 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM · William B. Umstead State Park (Crabtree Creek Entrance) · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Encompassing nearly 6,000 pristine acres between Raleigh and Cary, William B. Umstead State Park is North Carolina's premier urban wilderness. On Thanksgiving Day, families head… - [Lake Crabtree County Park Thanksgiving Wetland Nature Hike](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/lake-crabtree-county-park-thanksgiving-wetland-nature-hike--listing-b2ca5f1d08bc3cc961e2bdf2) — Fri, Nov 27 · 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Lake Crabtree County Park, Morrisville · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Positioned between Raleigh, Cary, and Morrisville, Lake Crabtree County Park encompasses 215 scenic acres along a 520-acre flood-control reservoir, providing an accessible… - [Durant Nature Preserve Winter Forest Trails & Nature Exploration Center](https://grassyknees.com/raleigh/activities/durant-nature-preserve-winter-forest-trails-and-nature-exploration-cen--listing-58bba1c0b102d887fed866d5) — Open on its own schedule · Durant Nature Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Tucked away in North Raleigh, Durant Nature Preserve encompasses 237 acres of protected pine and hardwood forests, two quiet lakes, and babbling streams. 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