I came across William B Umstead State Park while staying in a nearby hotel for business. I am…read morealways looking for somewhere peaceful to walk or run when I have the time and so happy to have found this park nearby. I came to find out that the park covers thousands of acres and has all kinds of trails. The entrance I utilized on foot required my constant attention after crossing over the interstate as the sidewalk vanishes and I had to make sure I was on the shoulder to make sure I didn't get squished by cars going into and out of the park. It wasn't that difficult but be aware if you are entering the park on foot from the nearby SAS campus (of which I understand Umstead along with a friend started). There's lots of parking from this entrance and a few trails to choose from. I took the Loblolly trail from the Reedy Creek entrance. It is fairly long at around 7 miles out. It's not a loop. I did about a mile and a quarter of the trail and it was awesome. All covered with a tree canopy the trail is well marked and maintained. It ranged from gravel to vines and rocks to bare dirt. Great scenery and very peaceful. There's enough room to pass other walkers and hikers. I really enjoyed this park. I want to explore it more if I'm in the area again as I had time constraints. I highly recommend this well maintained park and will visit again. Nothing quite like a good walk in nature. Enjoy!

Wonderful trails for biking, hiking, walking (and also some trails are sign-posted to allow…read morehorses). Not crowded. Miles & miles of trails. Picnic tables and pavilions. Creeks and streams. Lakes and ponds. Boating. BE AWARE of closed trails, bridges, etc...stop by the park office AND check the website for closures.

Lake Johnson Park is one of Raleigh's best spots when you want a workout that actually comes with a…read moreview. The 3-mile loop gave me the perfect mix of cardio, scenery, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. The trail is mostly paved and very well maintained, but there are also a few off-road paths if you want to switch things up. The lake views are gorgeous throughout the walk, and the heavily wooded sections make it feel peaceful and shaded even on warmer days. I also appreciated that the trail has a few solid uphill stretches. I'd say it's ideal for intermediate walkers, runners, or cyclists looking for a scenic challenge without venturing into hardcore hiking territory. The only downside is the parking situation, which can get pretty tight during busy hours. Still, once you're on the trail, it's absolutely worth it. Raleigh really lucked out with this gem of a park.

Natures finest!…read more Local park with free (but limited) parking. Walking trails. Kayak and paddleboard rentals. Birdwatching. Clean picnic and public bathrooms. Great place to go and enjoy nature.

Joyner Park is a great park in Wake Forest. The large, open green space is a relaxing place to walk…read morethe trails, and the park hosts wonderful community events from time to time. While there is plenty of parking on the main park side, the community center side seems to lack enough parking space. The community center building itself is beautiful, and there is a great playground nearby as well. I recently went to the center for early voting, but I arrived before they opened. Because the site doesn't seem to have enough parking to handle a major voting location, I decided to go to a different early voting center instead of returning here. It's a great park, but the community center seems like a bad choice for early voting unless I missed another parking area.

We visited E. Carroll Joyner Park for Easter and brought Luna, along with my nephew for a little…read moreEaster egg hunt. The park is very pet-friendly, with plenty of open space and trails for dogs to enjoy. While there were a few other pups around, I have to say--Luna was definitely the cutest dog (and bunny!) at the park that day.

Boyfriend and I stopped at the Fuquay Mineral Spring Park today so he could teach me about the…read morehistory behind it and to go on a short stroll before heading home. History: a local farmer discovered the spring which had high mineral content so the people believed it had healing properties and the town grew around the springs to accommodate the tourists and that is how Fuquay-Varina was formed! So, make sure you drink from the spring when you visit.. just kidding. Overall, even though this park is smaller, it is a beautiful park to stop and have a picnic, walk your dog or to lay out on a blanket and relax.

A small romantic park with a few picnic tables and a small stream running through it. If you are…read morelooking to go hiking or on a nature trail this is not the place. More situated to sit, have lunch, and enjoy the fresh air.

After consuming two beers and needing a bit of a walk, I was here at the nature preserve for a bit…read more It's over 150 acres with a lake, trails and some fields. Once parked and starting down a trail, it was fabulous to be away from civilization and noise and just enjoying nature. I guess that's the idea, right? I had a very leisurely stroll, a few friendly waves at other people enjoying the park, and enjoyed myself. [Review 2434 of 2024 - 3890 in North Carolina - 23447 overall]

This nature preserve is located just off Falls of Neuse yet feels miles away from city noise and…read moretraffic. Kudos to the late Dr. Wilkerson for having the vision to preserve the natural habitat of her home place. There are a number of loop trails, an education center and programs, plenty of parking, restrooms, picnic shelter, gardens, pond, turtles, deer, birds, helpful park staff, and is leashed dog friendly. A great place to spend some time getting exercise and fresh air in a beautiful natural setting.

This section of the Neuse River Trail can be jumped on and off in a number of places. There's…read morepublic parking up by the dam, or if you're lucky enough to live in a neighborhood with a connecting trail, you can walk or bike to it. Once you are on it, it's easy to forget that ever how far you go, you have to turn around and go back. This is a linear trail through nature along the Neuse and it's really easy to lose yourself in the miles!

Great place to run, fish, hike, skate board, walk, play, bike, and just have fun. This trail…read moreconnects all the way down to crabtree, and out to Knightdale. I don't know how many miles this trail is going to be when it is done, but I have heard over 30 miles. I go here 3 to 4 days a week to run, there is never many people here so no worries about being run into by others. Here is the web site to get more info about this trail http://www.raleighnc.gov/arts/content/PRecDesignDevelop/Articles/CapitalAreaGreenwayTrailSystem.html Look for the Neuse River Trail map on the right side of this web page

Nice community park with kayak rentals and trails. Occasionally crowded and offering so many…read morewholesome community options including the annual crafts festival and Friday music events.

Bond Park Lake Trail is such a lovely spot for an easy outdoor escape in Cary. The trail is about…read morehalf paved and half unpaved, which made it feel a little more natural while still being very accessible. It was especially great for dogs -- there were so many happy pups out enjoying the trail, and the atmosphere felt super friendly and relaxed. A huge plus was how shaded most of the trail is, which made the walk comfortable even on a warmer day. The lake views along the way were beautiful and peaceful, and there are plenty of large grassy areas throughout the park that are perfect for picnics, tossing a ball around, or simply lounging outside with a book. The park itself is also very well maintained with lots of parking, clean restrooms, and helpful amenities. I also liked seeing the workout stations scattered along the trail for anyone wanting to turn their walk into a little fitness moment.

Not sure what else you are looking for in a little park. They have a very spacious play area for…read morekids, then several other little okay areas along the path. The path around the little pond is very nice with a little bridge to stop and look at the turtles including grandpa snapper.. It has several bathroom stops. A nice annex with charcoal grills to hold your party. Open fields to play soccer or whatever.. Nice job with this park

Little gem of a park in wake county. It has paved trails, nature trails, playgrounds and a walkway…read moreover a pond. But best of all it has a little "porch" with rocking chairs overlooking the forest. Good place to stop and bird watch or just take in some nature when ur in the area. Plenty of bathrooms too!