Umstead Park is a State Park, and an excellent link between the Raleigh and Cary greenway networks though it is not technically on either system. Save for the occasional jet overhead, the din of highways and commerce is absent, though quite nearby. Packed gravel roads and trails are shared by hikers, runners, bikers, and horseback riders. The gravel roads can easily be negotiated with a cross bike, but the trails require more stability. There is parking at the Ebenezer Church, Harrison Ave, Lake Crabtree entrances, with more available via the main entrance off US 70. Umstead is easily reached from the Art Museum Park parking lot, 2.5 miles east on the Reedy Creek Trail.
As a link between other greenway and road rides there are few ways to slice and dice the park. From Ebenezer Church/Graylyn Rd. entrance could link to the Lake Crabtree entrance (5.1 miles), to N. Harrison (4.0 miles), or the Reedy Creek entrance (3.9 miles.) To connect to Cary from the Reedy Creek entrance, Lake Crabtree is 5.8 miles, and the entrance at N. Harrison is 2.4 miles.
Rides that pass through the par are: Into the Woods, Over the Water and Through the Woods, and Over the Water.. Take Two.