Historic Yates Mill County Park, at 6420 Lake Wheeler Road in Raleigh, is a 174-acre wildlife refuge and an environmental research center.
The centerpiece is the Historic Yates Mill, which is the last operable water-powered gristmill in Wake County. The mill is on the National Register of Historic Places and was restored to working order in 2005.
Admission to the park is free. Tours of the historic gristmill are offered on weekends at designated times from March through November, with money raised from these tours supporting the operation of the mill. Visit the park’s website for information about guided mill tours. You can also enjoy other programs at the park (click here for details) or you can explore the park on your own. Read on to see what’s coming up, as well as to learn more about the park and the mill.
Jump to a list of upcoming events, or keep reading to learn more about the park.
The water-powered gristmill has been operational for more than 200 years. There were once 70 gristmills in Wake County, and this is the only one that is still in operation.
Gristmills are used for grinding corn, wheat and other grains into flour. A stream of water is guided into a waterwheel. This provides the power to rotate large millstones that crush the grain into smaller pieces. You’ll find gristmills near a source of running water, like a waterfall, or a dam.
Modern mills, on the other hand, use electricity to spin heavy steel or cast iron rollers.
In rural areas, before there were towns, gristmills were gathering spots for fishing, swimming and picnicking.
Today, you can fish at Historic Yates Mill County Park. There are also walking trails, gardens, a picnic area, and interpretive exhibits and trails.
Public Programs at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Find the most current list of public programs on Yate Mill’s website. Here’s some of what’s coming up. Follow the links to register or to get more information.
Yates Mill Ponderings: Let’s Talk about State Birds
Saturday, January 25, 2025
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Ages 8+
Free (registration encouraged)
Choosing a state symbol is a chance to say something special about your state. State symbols can represent the state’s culture, conservation efforts, or interesting stories! When it comes to state birds, seven different states (including North Carolina) have selected the Northern Cardinal. In fact, only 18 states have a unique state bird! Join us to discover some of the cool stories behind different state birds and to discuss a more unique option to represent North Carolina! Best for ages 8 & up. FREE. Join our 45-minute presentation and feel free to stay afterwards for a Q&A with our presenter.
Hike with a Naturalist
Saturday, February 1, 2025
2 to 3:30 p.m.
Ages 8+
Free (registration required)
Join one of the naturalist staff members on a guided hike around the park to see what wildlife we can find! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing close-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Suggested for ages 8 and up; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the park office.
Hands-on History: Valentines
Sunday, February 9, 2025
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
All ages
Free (drop-in program; no registration)
How did people live while Yates Mill was operating as a business from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s? Join us for a drop-in, hands-on activity to make valentines to experience life from long ago. This program will meet inside the park’s visitor center.
Exploration Station: Winter Wildlife
February 12 to 24, 2025
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
All ages
Free (drop-in; no registration)
Winter is a great time to see wildlife at the park! While it may be cold, there is so much to learn from this season as it connects to the animals around us. Join us for this drop-in Exploration Station to learn about what animals are active in winter, who migrates here, and what some animals do to adapt to the cold weather. This self-guided table will be available inside the A.E. Finley Center.
Field School: Birds Are Dinosaurs
Friday, February 14, 2025
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ages 6+
Free (register at the above link)
Dinosaurs are not extinct! They are all around us, and we can learn so much from them. Join park staff to learn about the evolution of birds, and then go on a hike to find some living dinosaurs. Come prepared by wearing comfortable shoes and bringing a water bottle. Best for ages 6 and up; adult accompaniment required.
Yates Mill Ponderings: Wake County and the American Revolution
Saturday, February 15, 2025
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Ages 8+
Free (registration required)
Yates Mill was built in the 1760s, so the mill and the community around it all lived through the American Revolution. Come learn about Wake County, the Piedmont, and North Carolina’s history in the American Revolution! Join our 45-minute presentation and feel free to stay afterwards for a Q&A with the presenter.
Hike with a Naturalist: Great Backyard Bird Count
Sunday, February 16, 2025
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Ages 8+
Free (registration required)
The Great Backyard Bird Count is February 14th-17th, and this hike is a chance to see more species in the park! Visit birdcount.org for more info. Join one of our naturalist staff members on a guided hike around the park to see what birds we can find! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing closed-toe shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Suggested for ages 8 and up; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the park office.
Park Tales: Counting Crows
Friday, February 21, 2025
10 to 10:45 a.m.
Ages 6 and under
Free (registration required)
Crows in red sweaters nest and caw, gather snacks, and dodge a kitty’s paw. How many crows take to the sky? Count all the crows and watch them fly. Join us as we read this adorable story by Kathi Appel. Then learn about the two species of crows that live in our state; walk outside to look and listen for crows; and make a fun craft to take home! Best for ages 6 & under; FREE. Registration is required for everyone, and adult accompaniment is required for all children.
History Hike
Saturday, February 22, 2025
2 to 2:45 p.m.
Ages 7+
Free (registration required)
Join park staff for a hike to the gristmill and to the site of the miller’s residence (which is no longer standing) to learn about the history of some of the people who have lived and worked on the land that is now a park. Learn about the old water mill, and discover artifacts that help tell stories of some of the people who lived, worked, or visited here. This program will be completely outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather.
Hike with a Naturalist
Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Ages 8+
Free (registration required)
Join one of the naturalist staff members on a guided hike around the park to see what wildlife we can find! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing closed-toe shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Suggested for ages 8 and up; FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Meet at the park office.
Virtual ecoEXPLORE: Bird Season Roundup!
Friday, February 28, 2025
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Grades K-8
Virtual
Free (registration required)
Get updated on all the new bird species observed by ecoEXPLORErs and get YOUR observations featured for everyone to see! This virtual program is geared for children in grades K-8 and their families, and registration is handled through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
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