RALEIGH, N.C. — Historic Yates Mill County Park is a 174-acre park in the southwestern part of Wake County.

What You Need to Know

Yates Mill County Park is a 174-acre park in Wake County

Yates Mill was a water-powered mill for more than 200 years

It is the only historic gristmill still in operating condition in Wake County

Yates Mill served Wake County as a water-powered mill for more than 200 years. Of the 70 gristmills that served Wake County, Yates Mill is the only one still in operating condition.

The gristmill was once an important economic and social center for residents of Wake County from colonial times through the early 1900s.

“The restoration of the old mill took about 20 years. It was a long labor of love, but we birthed the park, if you will, and it's really fun to see folks out here enjoying it, appreciating the nature and the history,” said Rebeccah Cope, the program director for Wake County Parks & Recreation. 

Since the pandemic, the park has been bustling with people taking advantage of COVID-19-friendly outdoor activities. Yates Mill County Park also launched a mobile tour, so visitors can explore the property at their own pace. 

“There are a lot of different stops. It starts at the park center, and it tells you about the park itself, the trails, what else you can see, the fishing opportunities we have on the pond boardwalk, and then it leads you down the path toward the old mill,” Cope said. 

To learn more about Historic Yates Mill County Park, visit its website.