Hiking Sal’s Branch Trail in Umstead State Park (good for all levels)

If you’re on the hunt for nature trails through the forest, that’s not too challenging and child-friendly, should absolutely check out the Sal’s Branch Trail in William B. Umstead State Park.

Sal’s Branch Trail is probably the most popular of the Umstead park trails and is a good option for those with small children looking for a gentle walk rather than a hiking adventure.

For perspective, we hiked this trail with our two kids (aged 13 and 9), which took about an hour at a leisurely pace with stops for photos and a brief rest at the lake.

If you’re thinking you might want to walk this trail, here is everything you need to know, including how to get there and our experience walking the Sal’s Branch Trail…

About Sal’s Branch Trail

Umstead State Park is one of North Carolina’s most visited state parks and our favorite park in Raleigh – it’s literally a natural oasis surrounding three man-made lakes.

With more than 5,000 acres of forest, Umstead State Park is easily accessible from Interstate 40 and US-70, and is located just 15-minutes drive from downtown Raleigh.

Sal’s Branch Trail is an easy to moderate 2.8 mile loop trail good for all fitness levels through the woods with lake views about half way. Dogs can use this trail too but must be kept on leash!

• Length: 2.8 miles
• Trail type: Loop
• Elevation gain: 183 ft
• Difficulty: low to moderate 
• Surface: natural surface
• Trail Blaze: Orange Circles
• Umstead Park Hours: 8am-8pm year round (check the official website of NC Parks)
• Umstead park map: click here.

For your first visit to Umstead State Park, we suggest starting with Sal’s Branch Trail as it’s one of the most family-friendly trails in Raleigh.

But if you’re looking for something longer, the 7 mile Sycamore Trail is the longest trail in Umstead Park and is not too taxing.

Getting to Sal’s Branch Trail

Located on the northeastern side of Umstead Park, to get to Sal’s Branch Trail drive to the Crabtree Creek Park Access and Visitor Center off US-70 (Address: 8801 Glenwood Avenue) and continue on Umstead Parkway. 

The trail head is located in the parking lot behind the visitor’s center. You can use the bathrooms and fill up your water bottles from the water fountains outside. You can also access this trail from near the boathouse at Umstead Dam.

Our Experience Hiking the Sal’s Branch Trail

Starting out from behind the visitor center, you will notice plenty of signage with an orange circles, signalling this is the Sal’s Branch Trail.

To find the trail head, walk a short ways along the trail, then cross through the extended car parking area, then the service road before heading into the woods following the “orange circles” as markers.

We quickly realized that this trail would be more like a walk than a hike, with gentle rises and falls in elevation and nothing too strenuous.

Although there are several tree roots in sections (not the whole way) so it’s important to watch your step in those spots to avoid tripping. 

The trail does follow along a small stream, which is what the trail is named after, but it usually doesn’t have much water in it.

Although a very popular trail in Umstead Park that was also recommended to us as their favorite by other Raleigh locals, even on a Saturday we didn’t find it that heavily trafficked, passing people here and there. Weekends would be busier than weekdays.

Keep in mind we have hiked in the most visited National Parks in the USA like Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and the Smoky Mountains, so our perspective of what’s busy may differ from yours!

We love walking through the woods, but a highlight was near the halfway point when we came out of the woods and upon Big Lake.

The lake was a nice place to relax for a few minutes, take some more photos, and talk about coming back here with our inflatable stand up paddle boards and get out on the water for a different perspective.

At the lake you can fish or kayak or paddle board, but swimming is not allowed.

When you come out of the woods to the lake, there is a sign directing you back onto Sal’s Branch Trail to continue the loop. Simply turn left and head back into the woods and follow the trail back to the start.

Despite the few tree rooted sections and minor ups and downs, it was overall a nicely maintained and clean trail and a great starting point for when you visit William Umstead State Park – you get the woods and the lake!

As mentioned, the elevation change is very minimal and manageable and enough to get a decent workout without getting tired (you would get a good workout if you ran it).

We passed other walkers who looked like they had varying degrees of hiking ability and fitness levels, young kids and dogs. As a loop trail, we found it easy to navigate and well marked.

All up, this is a very nice trail that we’d be happy to do again, and it’s always rewarding to escape the pressures of everyday life and the city and get back into nature, and that we can go hiking right near Raleigh downtown!

As always, whether you’re hiking in Raleigh or anywhere, always bring enough water to stay hydrated – we hike with our 40 oz Hydro Flasks. And you might also want to bring some insect repellent in the summer months!

Video: Sal’s Branch Trail, Umstead

More Umstead State Park Trails

Check out these posts on other hiking trails in Umstead State Park:

• Loblolly Trail (out and back trail)
• The 7 mile Sycamore Trail
• Pott’s Branch Trail (1.3 miles)
• Company Mill Trail

What Umstead Trails would you recommend? Leave us a comment below!