Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest — Attraction in Raleigh

This used to be a great place (actually the ONLY place in Raleigh) to bring your dogs and go on a hike. For the people (mostly joggers) that complained, there were (and are) dozens of other hiking and jogging places around where dogs aren't allowed (or must be on a short leash). This WAS the ONLY place to bring your dogs -- it was KNOWN to be "the dog place" (i.e., don't go there if you don't like to see and play with lots of dogs) where one could bring your dogs to burn off energy and play in a large environment. Sadly, non-dog-lovers maybe didn't understand this, or maybe they are whiny, loud, cranky people who complain and get their way, despite having TONS of other jogging and hiking options in the immediate area. This was a dog and dog-owners paradise - the ONE place where everyone knew you could bring your dog and they could get real exercise and run and play with other dogs. Sure, jogging in an environment where dogs are chasing you off leash must have been miserable, but Umstead (much larger, better trails, etc) is right down the road, and Lake Johnson trails, and Lake Crabtree trails, and Durant Nature preserve for N Raleigh, etc... I wish there was ONE place for dogs to actually be able to play. Years ago (pre 2005?), Schenck Forest WAS it. Wish dogs could come back and have a such a great wooded place...

One of my favorite places. Not so large (245 acres) that your in danger of losing yourself, but plenty of trails and interesting sights. Pretty awesome for Raleigh that a real working forestry education facility is within minutes of the hustle and bustle of city life. The monumental Tree dedicated to the father of forestry, Carl A. Schenck, is worth a trip by itself. You can't miss this behemouth as he takes up considerable land under his canopy. This white oak is easily the largest I've ever seen and reminds me of something normally seen on the west coast. Only negative is no dogs or bikes allowed, but the forest happens to be located directly beside 6,000+ acre Umstead park where you are welcome to hike, bike, bring a dog or whatever. Schenck Forest is a teaching forest and has a lot to offer anyone seeking forestry info, or simple...

no dogs allowed. Enough said. Weird to not allow dogs in nature where actual animal live daily....but that is their rules. So be it. But wanted to warn people that not only are they NOT dog friendly, they are almost anti-dog, and that also says a lot about the people in charge of this park as well. There are way too many much more beautiful and safe places that welcome your furkids to go to, so just be aware.

Also, I did choose to stop by on my own and attempted to check the place out beforehand anyways, as I usually do. There were obvious drug users tweaking on the trails... I left fairly quickly. Please be safe if you go here in the middle of the week as a female or with kids, Carry protection if you do...