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: Mouse’s First Halloween
Thursday, Oct. 24, 10–10:45 a.m.
One dark fall night, Mouse creeps out and hears strange sounds and sees spooky sights. What could it mean? Don’t worry, Mouse – it’s Halloween! Join us for a fun yet spooky tale by Lauren Thompson as we follow Mouse on his evening explorations. Then decorate your own mini-pumpkin using various craft supplies. Best for ages 6 and under; FREE. Registration is required for all participants. Register here.
Park Tales: Bear Says Thanks
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 10–10:45 a.m.
Join us as we read this endearing children’s book about animals who celebrate their friendship with one another. Then celebrate what you’re thankful for and take home a fun, Thanksgiving-themed craft. Best for ages 6 & under (with adult accompaniment); registration required for all participants. 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: Whirligigs
Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m.–noon
Join us for a drop-in hands-on activity to make a historic toy to experience life from long ago. This program will meet in the mill yard by Historic Yates Mill. For all ages; registration is not required. FREE.
Field School: Offered quarterly. 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.
Field School: Pond Party
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
What's swimming underneath the surface of the pond? Explore the animals that call this habitat home in a hands-on pond study. We’ll even use nets to dip for critters in the pond! Best for ages 7 & up. All children must have adult accompaniment. FREE. Register here.
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 in December!
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
Monday, Oct. 28, 9–10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10–11:30 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 18, 10–11:30 a.m.
Join one of our naturalist staff members on a guided hike around the park to see what 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. Meet at the park office.
Register here for the hike on Monday, Oct. 28.
Register here for the hike on Saturday, Nov. 16.
Register here for the hike on Monday, Nov. 18.
Yates by Night: Offered monthly, April–November. These evening programs offer visitors a chance to experience the park in the evening. Suggested for ages 8 & up; FREE. Registration required.
Yates by Night: Sunset Hike
Sunday, Nov. 24, 4:15–5 p.m.
Have you ever wanted a closer look at the life that is waking up in the evening? Fall is a beautiful time to take a stroll outside! Join park staff on a guided nature hike around Yates Mill as the sun sets to see what we can find. This hike will last at least a mile and will be on fairly flat terrain. Suggested for ages 8 & up. Registration is required for all participants, and children must have adult accompaniment. Register here. FREE.
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!
Recreational Adventures
Recreational Adventures: Paddle the Pond
Wednesday, Nov. 27, 10:30 a.m.–noon and 2–3:30 p.m.
Learn basic canoeing skills and a bit about the history of the millpond, then head out for a self-guided exploration of many features of the pond as seen only from the water. Canoes, paddles and life jackets are provided (no outside boats are permitted). This program is dependent on suitable weather conditions and water levels. For ages 5 and up (with an accompanying adult); FREE. Each canoe can hold 1–4 people (800-pound total weight limit). Registration PER BOAT is required. If you only need 1 boat, please register just 1 member of your group.
Register here for the 10:30 a.m. session.
Register here for the 2 p.m. session.
Volunteer Interest Sessions
Check back for more sessions!
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.
EcoEXPLORE (virtual): Catch-of-the-Day Ichthyology Roundup
Monday, Oct. 28, 3–4 p.m.
It's almost the end of our Ichthyology Season! Come check in and see how many species ecoEXPLORE users have seen, and share your own discoveries, too! FREE. Registration is through the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences.
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: Cornmeal Carnival
November 20–December 1
Do you like to cook, but don’t know what to do with cornmeal? Do you like tall tales, myths, legends and history? Look no further! Come one, come all and see our Cornmeal Carnival Exploration Station to learn more about cornmeal. This self-guided Exploration Station will be available in the A.E. Finley Center from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 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®: "Leaf Jumpers," Oct. 3–31
StoryWalk®: "Box Turtle at Long Pond," Nov. 5–30
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.