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.
Upcoming Events at Historic Yates Mill County Park
Please follow the links below to register.
Park Tales: Norman, the Slug with the Silly Shell
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
10 to 11 a.m.
Free
For all ages (best for ages 6 and under)
Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Join park staff for a silly story about the adventures of Norman the slug, who is seeking a perfect shell! Discover the difference between slugs and snails, make a fun craft, and enjoy a sensory activity to mimic a slug’s slime.
Field School: Branching Out
Thursday, September 28, 2023
10 to 11 a.m.
Free
For all ages (recommended for ages 5 and up)
Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Trees are important in our daily lives. They not only beautify our environment but also provide food and homes for wildlife. Learn the important role trees play in our communities. Join us as we look at different types of bark, seed and leaves! Register here.
Hike with a Naturalist
Friday, September 1, 2023
9:30 to 11 a.m.
Free
For all ages (recommended for ages 8 and up)
Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment. Join one of our naturalist staff members on an unstructured nature hike around Yates to see what we can find! Come prepared to hike at least a mile by wearing close-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Register here.
Yates by Night: Family Trivia
Friday, September 15, 2023
6 to 7 p.m.
Free
For all ages (recommended for ages 6 and up)
Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Do you want to put your Yates Mill knowledge to the test, or learn something new? Join us for a family trivia night where you can compete against other teams! Questions will include topics in both science and history, relating the the park and Raleigh.
Mill Heritage Tours
Most Saturdays, March to November, 2023, at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Most Sundays, March to November, 2023, at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Free (registration suggested)
Ages 7 and up
Discover Historic Yates Mill – a place of business, community and exciting local history! Watch a brief video, then explore the inner workings of the mill itself. Tickets are available inside the park’s visitor center. Pre-registrations are encouraged.
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Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More Kids’ Events in the Triangle
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