Umstead Park

I highly recommend the Sal's Branch Trialhead for millennial aunties like myself who want to touch grass and first-time visitors to Umstead State Park. My niece and I had a lovely walk in the forest and enjoyed Big Lake too. However, leaving the park without a car in the evening was an ordeal. Four Ubers canceled on us, something that seldom happened to me in the past decade. My niece and I were both very grateful to Ranger Katie, who came to our rescue and waited with us while we 'waited for Godot' (an Uber) and, eventually, for my sister to pick us up. If it weren't for Ranger Katie, my teenage niece would've had a much tougher time being alone in the dark with only me and my white taekwondo belt by the visitor center. If you read this, thank you, Ranger Katie, for your care, kindness, patience, humor, and trail suggestions. You are such a terrific person, and the park visitors are lucky to have you.

SWEET PLAYGROUND! Love the complimentary color scheme of orange and blue! Super fun playground with lots of fun paths to go and ladders to climb up on. It has three different slides. Modern playground equipment. The park also has a restroom building, basketball court, and trails to walk on in the woods. A cute little bridge goes over a creek. They also have a story-walk.

Lots of fun to be had here, there is a creek on the back side that is kid friendly and the jungle gym ground is padded.

EDIT: After a weekend, I came back to the pathway all cleaned up! I've lived in the area for a while and just discovered this park a few days ago. I love to rollerblade and would like to find a park closer to where and it's very ideal. The only problem I've run into is the path towards Bolin Creek under the bridge. It was covered in mud coming from the slope on the side and it makes for a slippery trail especially when wet. Hopefully, this is only a seasonal thing and gets cleaned up since it is a very beautiful park with light hiking trails. Looking forward to walking my pet here too.

Awesome new trail "Bolin Creek Trail" attached to this awesome park with ample parking, fun playground and restrooms. I go here at least once a month because it's always a blast for the famiky. Lots of fish to see in the creek and the path is well shaded.