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Umstead Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 443 Google reviews · Running trail in Chapel Hill, North Carolina · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Umstead Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Park featuring play structures, picnic shelters, a basketball court & wooded paths along a creek.
What runners say about Umstead Park
“The park is always clean, and the bathrooms relatively so (as much as I’d expect from a park).”
“Hopefully, this is only a seasonal thing and gets cleaned up since it is a very beautiful park with light hiking trails.”
“Beautiful park, Lovely grounds, ample play areas and an abundance of shade trees.”
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.
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.
My son loves it here, we enjoy walking the trail and he loves finding baby turtles by the water. Very safe trail its good to walk through early mornings, late evenings. The basketball court can use some renovating other than that great place for family and pets.
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.
Trail conditions & character
“Awesome new trail "Bolin Creek Trail" attached to this awesome park with ample parking, fun playground and restrooms.”
“Beautiful park, Lovely grounds, ample play areas and an abundance of shade trees.”
“Hopefully, this is only a seasonal thing and gets cleaned up since it is a very beautiful park with light hiking trails.”
Plan your run at Umstead Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitetownofchapelhill.org
- Phone+1 919-968-2784
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–10 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–10 pm |
Running trails near Chapel Hill
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Wilson Park
4.8 ★★★★★ 110 reviews
Park offering baseball and tennis courts as well as a playground featuring slides, swings, a sandbox and grills.
Frances Shetley Bikeway
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Bolin Creek
4.7 ★★★★★ 98 reviews
Scenic hiking area with kid-friendly trails, plus a rose garden and a playground.
Carolina North Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 355 reviews
UNC north campus woodland covering 750 acres & offering a complex network of hiking trails.
Battle Park
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Forested university nature site with a noteworthy stone amphitheater, walking trails & streams.
Morgan Creek Trail Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 107 reviews
Paved 0.85-mi. woodland trail for walking, running & cycling, with connections to other trails.