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What's Up Down by the Old Mill Stream
December 2025
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We have some exciting news to share: The mill yard is now open, and the Mill Pond Trail is once again a complete loop!
You can now enjoy walking the full 1-mile loop around the millpond, and you can also see the waterfall below the mill as well as the mill's new waterwheel and forebay.
Thank you for your patience as the mill area underwent construction in recent months.
| | | | The park is currently opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 5:30 p.m. | | |
Please note that the park will be closed on December 24 and December 25 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The park will also be closed on January 1 for New Year's Day.
The park will be open for normal hours all other days of December.
| | | Support the Wake County Parks Food Drive! | | |
This holiday season our @WakeGovParks are helping neighbors in need! Through December 31, drop off food and supply donations at participating park locations.
- Beech Bluff County Park
- Harris Lake County Park
- Historic Oak View County Park
- Historic Yates Mill County Park
- Lake Crabtree County Park
Each park is partnered with a local food pantry to help people here in Wake County. If you’re in a position to help, please bring a nonperishable food item(s) to help feed those in need! Please no glass jars, expired, or opened items. Find more ways to help at: wake.gov/foodsecurity.
| | Take Photos with Santa during Yates Mill Associates' December 6 Program | | |
Meet Santa inside the historic gristmill on December 6 during Yates Mill Associates' (YMA) free event!
Between 10 a.m. and noon and 1 and 4 p.m., volunteers will be available to take photos with your cameras or phones. While at the park, you can also make holiday crafts, play historic games, buy gifts from YMA's craft sale, and more.
Due to limited space, entry into the mill will be staggered to allow each family a private moment with Santa. Available on a first-come, first-served basis; simply come to the park visitor center to sign up. YMA welcomes donations at this event, to help its work preserving the mill. FREE.
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December Programs!
Registration is required for all participants (adults & children), and children must have adult accompaniment. Some programs will take place outdoors, so please dress appropriately for the weather. Programs may fill up, but waitlists are available.
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Meet Santa at Yates Mill
Saturday, Dec 6,
10 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
Meet Santa inside the historic gristmill during Yates Mill Associates' (YMA) free event! Volunteers will be available to take photos with your cameras or phones. While at the park, you can also make holiday crafts, play historic games, buy gifts from YMA's craft sale, and more. Due to limited space, entry into the mill will be staggered to allow each family a private moment with Santa. Available on a first-come, first-served basis; simply come to the park visitor center to sign up for an available space. YMA welcomes donations at this event, to help its work preserving the mill. FREE.
History Hike
Sunday, Dec. 7, 2-2:45 p.m.
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. FREE; for all ages (best suited for ages 7 and up). Registration is required for all participants. Register here.
Yates Mill Ponderings: State Birds
Saturday, Dec. 13, 1-2 p.m.
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. Pre-registration is encouraged; register here.
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Hike with a Naturalist
Sunday, Dec. 14, 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 closed-toe 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. Register here.
Park Tales: Time to Sleep
Friday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m.
Enjoy this warm-hearted story about animals of the forest settling down for their winter nap. But, like children who must go to bed for the night, they each find a way to put it off just a little bit longer. Then make a fun craft, and go on a short hike! For all ages (best for ages 6 and under); adult accompaniment is required for all children. FREE. Registration is required. Register here.
Hands-on History: Ornaments
Monday, Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
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 an ornament to experience life from long ago. This program will meet inside the park’s visitor center. For all ages; registration is not required as this is a drop-in program. FREE.
Virtual ecoEXPLORE: Mammalogy Season Wrap-up
Monday, Dec. 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Show off your favorite mammal observations and we will see how ecoEXPLORE is doing at finding all of North Carolinas furry friends! This virtual program is geared toward children in grades K-8 and their families, but all are welcome! Registration is handled through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. FREE.
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Register for programs using the link below!
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Many thanks to the more than 7,400 visitors who enjoyed public mill tours in 2025 and the more than 1,200 people who joined scheduled group mill tours over the past year. Even with construction reducing the number of days that the mill could be open, almost 9,000 people had a chance to step inside the historic gristmill to learn about its history.
The tour season runs from March through November. The mill is now closed for the winter, and park staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to the mill in March 2026!
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Self-Guided Activities!
In-Person
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Exploration Station:
Winter Waterfowl
Dec. 8-31
Winter is duck season! This time of year, we have more ducks on our pond than any other time of year. Come check out our educational display and pick up a brochure all about our local winter waterfowl. This self-guided table will be available inside the park's A.E. Finley Center. FREE.
| | Visit December's Exploration Station to learn more about the waterfowl , like this Ruddy Duck, that migrate to North Carolina in the winter. | |
StoryWalk® at Historic Yates Mill
Winter Dance
Dec. 4-31
Enjoy a children's book while you take a self-guided nature hike. Our December StoryWalk® is Winter Dance, written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Richard Jones. Snow is coming, and it's time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the fox do? Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but the fox thinks otherwise—yet it's not until he meets a golden-eyed friend that he finds the perfect way to celebrate the snowfall.
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.
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Volunteers Needed
Are you interested in helping out
at Historic Yates Mill?
Call us or stop by the park to learn about the
exciting and important ways that you can lend a hand.
To learn more, call (919) 856-6675 or send an email to
delayne.jolly@wake.gov.
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| | Group programs and tours can be requested and scheduled for schools and other organized groups. You can learn more about the types of group programs and field trips offered by this park below. | | | | |
When you’re out at our parks or preserves and take a fantastic photo, share it on Instagram and tag @WakeGovParks for your chance to win a custom water bottle! We’ll pick a new winner each month. In addition to the prize, we’ll also feature your photo on our socials.
Good luck, and happy snapping!
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Have you enjoyed a day in the park recently; walked on our trails; enjoyed a family picnic; or simply have something you'd like us to know about? Please select the link below to fill out a short anonymous survey so we can know what you and our other park visitors are thinking about!
Let us know about your visit.
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Are you a professional or amateur photographer interested in taking photos at Historic Yates Mill County Park? Wake County’s parks and preserves provide the perfect backdrop for your bridal, graduation, prom or family photos. To ensure that all park visitors have an enjoyable experience, registration is required for professional, client-based photo shoots.
Register Here.
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Join Our Junior Park Explorers
Do you like to explore parks and preserves? Do you like winning prizes? Our Junior Park Explorers program is for you!
Learn more here.
| | | See what's happening on our social media sites: | | | | |
