Dix Park Guided Walking Tour

This free 2-hour, 3.5 mile walking tour will cover the history of the buildings, land and legacy of Dorothea Dix; the current use of the area as the headquarters of the Department of Health and Human Services; and the next steps the City is taking to plan the future of the park.

Walking up hills, in grass and on uneven surfaces will be necessary. Closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Water fountains and water bottle refilling stations are located at Magnolia Room and Oak Room, as well as the Stone Houses and the Chapel during hours of operation.

While free to attend, space is limited. Registration is required.

This program is free thanks to Dix Park Conservancy donors.

This program will meet at the Outdoor Classroom which is next to the Dix Park Visitor Center. 

From Western Boulevard, turn onto Hunt Drive. At the stop sign, turn LEFT onto Umstead Drive. Stay on Umstead Drive for roughly half a mile. You will see the Dix Chapel and parking lot on the left. Park in the lower Dix Chapel parking lot next to the Stone Houses. From there, you will walk towards the Gatekeeper's Cottage. 

With the opening of Gipson Play Plaza in 2025, Dix Park is expecting a significant increase in visitors. This increase will likely affect parking availability throughout the entire park. Parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Nearby parking cannot be guaranteed.

If we need to postpone or cancel due to inclement weather, we will communicate through Eventbrite email. Staff has the right to cancel programs onsite if severe weather impacts the class or poses a safety risk.

Outdoor programs are located at various places throughout the entire park. There are portable restrooms located at the Big Field, Flowers Field, the Magnolia Room, the Oak Room, and by the Dog Park. Accessible portable restrooms are located at the Big Field and Flowers Field. Indoor accessible restrooms are available under the Superintendent’s House at the Stone Houses and at the Chapel during hours of operation.

Dix Park continues to strive to be accessible and welcoming for visitors, including those with disabilities. Currently, portions of Dix Park, including some areas where programs and events occur, have uneven surfaces and are not fully accessible. Accessibility is a primary focus for early park improvements and all future planning and development.

Parking: Accessible parking spaces are available in all lots.

Restrooms: Accessible portable restrooms are located at the Big Field and Flowers Field. Indoor accessible restrooms are available under the Superintendent’s House at the Stone Houses and at the Chapel during hours of operation.

Programs and Events: Raleigh Parks Inclusion Services works with community members to support participation. To request a program modification based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please complete and submit the Accommodation Request Form or contact Inclusion Services staff at 919-996-2147 or [email protected].

Contact Dix Park Staff at 919-996-3255 or [email protected]

City of Raleigh - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department

Release, Covenant Not To Sue, and Indemnity Agreement

I understand that participating in Dix Park Programs and Events (hereinafter “Program”) involves risk of injury. These risks include, but are not limited to, inclement weather, accidents while traveling, equipment problems or failures, contacts with and actions of other participants, spectators, or volunteers, slips/trips/falls, and musculoskeletal injuries, among others. I choose for myself, for my child, or for another participant who I am enrolling, to participate in the Program despite these and other risks.

By registering for this Program, I acknowledge all risks of injury, illness, and death, and property damage, and affirm that I have assumed all responsibility of injury, illness, death, and property damage relating in any way to the Program. I also agree for myself and for any child or other participant who I am registering herein to follow all rules and procedures that may apply to the Program and to follow the reasonable instructions of City employees and other supervisors of the Program. In return for the opportunity to participate in this Program, I agree for myself and for the child or other participant I am registering, and for our heirs, assigns, executors, and administrators to release, waive, and discharge any legal rights that any one of us may have to seek payment or relief of any kind from the City of Raleigh, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and the State of North Carolina, their employees or their agents for injury, illness, or death relating in any way to this Program.

If I am registering a minor for the Program, I agree that I am a parent, legal guardian, or am otherwise responsible for the minor whose application I am submitting and that I release, waive, and discharge any legal rights on behalf of that minor. If I am registering an adult, I agree that I am authorized to do so and do hereby release, waive, and discharge any legal rights on behalf of that adult participant. I, along with any participant I register herein, also agree not to sue the City of Raleigh, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, or the State of North Carolina, their employees, or their agents and agree to indemnify the same for any and all claims, damages, losses or expenses, including but not limited to medical expenses and attorney’s fees, if a suit is filed concerning an injury (to person or property), illness, or death to me or to any participant I am enrolling that relates to, or results from, participation in the Program.

I have read this waiver thoroughly and understand that by registering for this program I am waiving legal rights.

Pictures or video may be taken of participants at this Program or Event for use in Dix Park publicity. By registering for the Program, I hereby grant the City of Raleigh, Dix Park Conservancy, and program partners permission to use my likeness in a photograph, video, or other digital media (“photo”) in any and all of their publications, including web-based publications and digital platforms, without payment or other consideration. I hereby irrevocably authorize the City of Raleigh, the Dix Park Conservancy, and program partners to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish, or distribute these photos for any lawful purpose.

I have read this release thoroughly and understand that by registering for this program I am waiving legal rights. If I am registering a minor for the Program, I agree that I am a parent, legal guardian, or am otherwise responsible for the minor whose application I am submitting and that I affirm consent on behalf of that minor.

By Registering for this Program, I consent to receive emails from Dix Park and Dix Park Conservancy about park news, community engagement, opportunities to support the park, as well as upcoming programs and events. Participants can unsubscribe at any time.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Stone Houses Visitor Center at Dix Park, 830 Umstead Drive, Raleigh, United States