I want to trailer over to Umstead park to ride the trails. Any advance info will be appreciated. Best times/days for less bikers or baby buggies on the multi-use trails (Horse doesn’t think much of either) Which entrance to use ? Parking location ?? Have a 3 horse GN trailer so tight parking spots are to be avoided.
You will have to enter the park at the main entrance off of Glenwood Avenue. Follow the road to the visitor’s center. You are required to stop at the visitor’s center and give them a copy of your current Coggins before heading to the horse trail parking area. The trailer parking is further in the park, look at the park map and follow the signs. It is a small open area for trailer parking but I’ve never had an issue with it being tight for my 3H w/LQ trailer. Horse trails lead out from there. Weekdays are the best to avoid a lot of bike, runners and stroller traffic. It’s a nice place to ride.
Umstead Park is NOT a place for a horse that is not very comfortable with bikes. There are trails with blind corners where the bikes can’t see you and frankly some do not care to behave properly around horses; even during the week there will be bikes and I mean lycra clad bikers going very fast . Your horse needs to be comfortable with bikes racing up on her tail and hanging out just behind waiting to pass some fools dart around as they think horses are just big dogs.
The ground is hard so be careful…Good Luck
Thanks for the advice… we’ll plan on a week-day.
Not my favorite place to ride because of the cyclists and the hard footing. What a shame. It could be so much more horse friendly…
