Historic Yates Mill County Park offers programs covering history, nature, agricultural and recreational topics. Public programs are open for registration to the general public.
Public Programs
Register for a Public Program
In-Park Public Programs
Park Tales
For all ages (best for ages 6 and under); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in.
Park Tales: We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt
Friday, Nov. 21, 10–10:45 a.m.
Enjoy this story of three children looking for bright autumn leaves, then make a fun craft and take a short walk in the park looking for the colors of fall. For all ages (best for ages 6 & under). Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. FREE. Register here.
Hands-on History
How did people live while Yates Mill was operating as a business from the mid-1700s to the mid-1900s? These drop-in programs explore different aspects of life in the past.
Hands-on History: A-maize-ing Grains
Saturday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m.–noon
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 learn about different grains raised in the state in the past; thresh wheat by hand; and test your muscles on a mortar and pestle to make cornmeal the old-fashioned way. The program will meet in the mill yard (weather permitting). For all ages; no registration required. FREE.
Drop-in Science
Offered quarterly. For all ages; FREE. Registration is not required, as this is a drop-in program.
Drop-in Science: Animal Skulls, Skins and Specimens
Monday, Oct. 20, noon–2 p.m.
Here at Historic Yates Mill County Park, we have quite the collection of spooky scary skeletons. Come to our visitor center during this drop-in program and see (and maybe touch a few) animal skulls, pelts and full taxidermy mounts of our local wildlife! Since this is a drop-in program, there is no registration for this activity.
Yates Mill Ponderings
This wintertime program series offers more in-depth looks into topics of scientific and historical interest. Best for adults and older teens; FREE. Registration is required.
Check back here in December 2025!
Hike with a Naturalist
For all ages (recommended for ages 8 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment.
Hike with a Naturalist
Saturday, Nov. 15, Sunday, Nov. 16, and Friday, Nov. 28, 9:30–11 a.m.
Join one of our naturalist staff members on a guided hike around the park to discover the plants and animals that live here! Come prepared to hike at least a mile on natural surfaces by wearing close-toed shoes and bringing a full water bottle. Suggested for ages 8 and up. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive at the park office five minutes early for program check-in. FREE.
To register for the Nov. 15 hike, click here.
To register for the Nov. 16 hike, click here.
To register for the Nov. 28 hike, click here.
Yates by Night
These evening programs offer visitors a chance to experience the park in the evening. Suggested for ages 8 & up; FREE. Registration required.
Check back later this fall for our next program!
History Hike
For all ages (recommended for ages 7 and up); FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in. Offered in December, January and February.
Check back in December 2025!
Recreational Adventures: Paddle the Pond
For ages 10 and up. FREE. Registration is required for all family members, and children must have adult accompaniment. Please arrive five minutes early for program check-in. Offered in the spring and fall.
Recreational Adventures: Guided Canoe Paddle
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 12:30–2 p.m. and 2:30–4 p.m.
Join us for a paddle around our millpond in one of our canoes. We will start with a quick lesson on basic canoeing and paddling and then we will paddle together up a creek. The last 45–60 minutes of the time will be free-paddling in the mill pond. If you have a valid fishing license and your own equipment, you can use this time to fish in our pond. Canoes, paddles and flotation vests are provided. For ages 10 and up (with an accompanying adult). Each canoe can hold a minimum of 2 people and a maximum of 4 (800-pound total weight limit). Registration is PER BOAT. If you only need 1 boat, please register just 1 member of your group. FREE.
To register for the 12:30 p.m. paddle, click here.
To register for the 2:30 p.m. paddle, click here.
Register for a Virtual Program
Virtual Programs: ecoEXPLORE
Registration through North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. This online program is geared toward children in grades K–8 and their families, but all are welcome! You will learn about the ecoEXPLORE project during the program. FREE.
Virtual ecoEXPLORE: Mammal ID
Friday, Nov. 21, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
How well do you know the furry animals that call our state home? See how well you do in our mammal ID quiz! This virtual program is geared toward children in grades K–8 and their families, but all are welcome! Registration is handled through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. FREE.
Become a Junior Park Explorer!
Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you! Learn more here.
Take a Self-guided Mobile Tour
Check out the Historic Yates Mill Mobile Tour and learn about the history of the 200-year-old grist mill, as well as the lives of the people who lived and worked in the area.
Self-guided Activities for the Family!
Self-Guided Activities
For all ages (adult accompaniment is required for all children); FREE. Stop by the visitor center anytime between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to pick up nature journals, activity packs, coloring sheets and more!
Exploration Station
These temporary displays are located inside the A.E. Finley Center in the exhibit hall area. Registration is not required. FREE.
Exploration Station: Indigenous People of Wake County
Nov. 13-30, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Today Wake County is an urban hub, but three hundred years ago it was a crossroads of Indigenous peoples. Learn more about Wake County's first residents, their cultures, and their struggle to survive and adapt to European colonization. Join us for this drop-in Exploration Station to celebrate American Indian Heritage Month in North Carolina, which today has the largest Indigenous population east of the Mississippi River. This self-guided table will be available from Nov. 13 to 30 inside the A.E. Finley Center. FREE.
Self-Guided StoryWalks®
Join us for this fun, self-guided activity, which will start at the parking lot kiosk near the Visitor Center and end near the mill. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. This wonderful program combines the joy of reading a story while also getting out and enjoying nature.
New to the StoryWalk® concept? Laminated pages from a children's book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
StoryWalk®: "Apple Cake," Nov. 4–30
Everyone's Welcome
Historic Yates Mill County Park welcomes all visitors and affirms its commitment to offering programs and services that are accessible to everyone. We will make every effort to ensure that visitors of all abilities are fully included in all our programs and facilities. Check back regularly to see what new opportunities become available!
For questions about our accessibility resources or how we may best meet your needs in any of our programs, please contact the park at 919-856-6675 or yatesmill@wake.gov.