Although out of the way from Wake Forest, this park is nice. Not too easy and not too difficult. Very little elevation change, however the trail is mostly dirt. So, if it is raining be prepared for some muddy conditions. The trail is pretty much covered by trees that provides some shade. Yesterday it was in the 90s, but with the breeze and shade, I was able to get 12000 steps. There are clean restrooms at the entrance/exit of the park. There was also ample parking. The trail is a little over 1 mile if you just go around the lake. There are more steps if you take the trail into the woods. Stay on the paths and they will loop you back. Yesterday, the only disappointment was the water wheel wasn't being used and we didn't get any pictures of that. read more

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We stopped in after grabbing ice cream and it was so cool. We enjoyed art the artifacts and different animals inside the building. Teaches a lot about the history of the mill. We took a short walk down there and it was so much easier then I thought. Well worth it!!! read more

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We went in February - so this review is from the "winter" perspective in that we didn't see any wildlife except a handful of birds. We spent close to 45 minutes in the visitor center reading the history of the mill, the industry, and the area. Gave really good context. After that, we walked the trail around the lake (took 25-30 minutes); it was flat and easy. There are a couple of benches. Several trees are marked with numbers; there's a guide for that in the visitors center. Finally, we got to the mill. You can see the restored building, the millstone, various gears, and good interpretive information. Quite peaceful at that time of year. read more

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Was nice place to picnic and walk trails mill stunning to see and hear about the history as well read more

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Yates Mill County Park is my favorite Wake County Park. There is a good sized parking lot; a small museum in the information building; trails and even a bridge to go fishing. But the highlight of course is the gristmill. The mill served the community for over 200 years. But closed when there was no longer a demand for it. At some point it deteriorated but then a group decided to restore it. I enjoy taking the guided tours as you get to go inside the mill and see how it operated. The water level was low so the mill wheel wasn't turned on in my last visit. But it will be running on the September tours so I might just need to make a return trip. If you love being outdoors and history you will enjoy this park too. read more

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Gorgeous little park. Had a romantic picnic with my husband there and it was beautiful. Very clean restrooms, well maintained grounds. We didn't do the tour this time but will next time! A great spot for a picnic! read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Picnic area, quiet, beautiful scenery - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Great job from Wake county to redeveloped the old mill to a park for everyone to learn and enjoy. It is not far from downtown and it is free. The pond is to feed the mill so it is not as big as other park around the city. Trail is very easy to navigate and only takes about an hour to loop around the pond or west side of the pond. read more

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A charming little spot with nice scenery. The museum itself is cute and has some unique pieces, though it's a bit small. It's a pleasant stop if you're in the area and want to take in something fun. Worth a visit if you're nearby. read more

The last remaining gristmill which began in the 18th century is the historic part of this park. Located about 5 miles from downtown Raleigh with hiking trails sits this 174 acre park. Apparently a hurricane almost destroyed the mill in 1996 but has been restored along with the dam. There is also a research center with several artifacts like old corn grinders and such. They have classrooms and I believe they run tours but we did a self guided tour to see the grist mill and waterfall. NC State does ongoing research in the park. Nice and shaded and the trails are gravel but easy walks. There are stone steps leading down to the front of the gristmill. Nice to be able to see and learn about this historic landmark so close to downtown. read more

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This is a lovely park not far from some of the NC State student farms. I came here with my alumni association for a quick stroll, and we had a good time taking in the scenery. I can imagine it gets busy on weekends with the museum being a popular destination for families! I don't believe dogs are allowed, so make sure the factor that into your visit. But otherwise easy parking, nice bathroom and people available on weekends to answer your questions. read more

We have been here a couple of times since moving to the Raleigh area. This is a great spot to take out of town visitors, especially ones that like historical sites. We usually take a stroll around the lake, which is pretty low key. I personally love stopping to photograph the mill. Two small negatives: 1. Dogs aren't allowed 2. This place can be overrun at times with people doing special occasion photos Howling Cow Dairy Creamery is not far from here, it might be fun to stop for ice cream after visiting the park. read more

It was my husband's birthday during social distancing so I wanted to try and do something else with him and our toddler besides hit up our usual greenway-- enter Historic Yates Mill County Park. This park had never been on my radar before, but I follow @peterdoesparks where a lovely woman and her son visit parks all throughout the Triangle and this one looked beautiful. We went on a Sunday morning and it was easy to keep social distancing measures in place, it did start to pick up in the afternoon and get a bit more crowded. We started off by going to the waterfall/mill area and it was super beautiful. What a neat thing to have tucked away in this part of town. We hung out there for a bit on the rocks. We then went around the other way to the bridge, my son was obsessed. There were quite a few people fishing off of the bridge. We kept walking and it brings you to another bridge, my son was beside himself. As a big fan of running on bridges this was the park for him! Since this is also a nature preserve there is a ton of trees which make it perfect for a hot day. I noticed many people had cameras capturing wildlife. They have a quite a few benches and picnic tables nestled within the park. Could be a great spot to have a picnic lunch. As others have said since this is a nature preserve no dogs or bikes are allowed. read more

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If you are a fan of history and parks, this is the place for you. Not too far from the state Farmer's Market, the Historic Yates Mill County Park has well-designed hiking paths, historic landmarks and photo areas, an outdoor children's theater, an indoor museum and beautiful bridges, a lake, flowers, and natural aesthetics. This is the kind of place to bring your hiking shoes and your camera. You may stop a bit to admire the mill, but it's a great trip for families, couples, or a solo hike. read more

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Cute spot and easy to access. There was a lot of construction going on during our visit, but it was nice to do something while we were in town and get outdoors. The mill was really neat. Beware of the water snakes! One popped their head up through one of the bridge boards. read more

This place is "worthy of the 'gram!" It has a gorgeous waterfall, a very cool historic bridge that looks over the water, and is dog friendly (except for the main trail)! My fiancé and I went here to take our engagement photos so I didn't have my phone on me to take any photos while we were there. As soon as we receive our photos, I'll be updating this post with the photos! Our dog came along with us for the photos and had a great time running around the field of flowers right near the entrance. This is an awesome spot to go just to walk around and take in the beauty of NC! We definitely want to go back to explore more while we're not on a time crunch and nervous nellies about professional photos! The area itself closes at 7 pm and the ranger was so sweet when we stayed a little past our welcome! He patiently waited for us and our photographer to get all packed up without saying anything, not realizing how fast had flown by until we checked the time! We apologized profusely as he waved us out and wished us a good night. Thankfully we were only about 10 minutes past time, phew. read more

Guided tours available only on Saturdays. Several hiking trails available. The museum was very informative and the guides were knowledgeable. The walk from the museum to the mill was short and shaded. There are signs along the way with tidbits of information about the wildlife in the area. read more

I love this park. There are multiple board walks over walk that are very beautiful and great fishing spots. The location is easy to find from GPS. There is a large educational center with bathroom that are currently closed due to COVID. Lots of walking paths that are paved, partially paved, flattened, and then more traditional hiking paths available. The walking paths are great, very nicely maintained all under 2 miles each. Very nicely labeled. The newest boardwalk has a telescope and overhangs for some sun protection if you are interested. I love the old Mill area, it is an educational center for a local university. When I went yesterday there were graduates taking their graduation photos. Rocking chairs around the educational center. Parking and additional parking available. Amphitheater. Everything is easy to get to. There are woods and open fields- a nice place fit for everyone. read more

Budget travelling is all about Finding Free and Nice places.This is one of those parks with good trails and also history to it.The park is managed as a native wildlife refuge with a mission to study and interpret the park's cultural, natural and agricultural heritage. Yates Mill, one of the oldest buildings in Wake County, is the region's only surviving operable gristmill. For nearly 200 years the water-powered mill produced lumber, milled corn and wheat, and carded wool.Yates Mill is now a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark. Pros: ---------- Beautiful Scenery Free Admission(Mill Tours has a Fee) Free Parking Friendly Staff Clean Restroom in the Visitor Center Great for Photo shoots Cons: ----------- None to me Escape from the Grind!! Professional Photography and Photo Shoots need permission. read more

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This was an enjoyable little walk. There are 3 different trails (different difficulties). The mill was gorgeous but unfortunately we were unable to go inside. Still worth the visit. There is also a little museum right by the restrooms. Nice way to spend time outdoors. read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Lake - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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If you have a dog then no! I have to respect that's what the rules are. But I called to see if I could get a special one hour permit for a photoshoot there and the lady who answered was totally rude, did not want to connect me to a manager or someone who could have talked with me about this decision. She just hung up on me rudely and that leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I don't understand why they can't have dogs on leashes and if anyone doesn't have a leashes dog just fine them. I would have been much better if she would have said yeah let me see if I can find a manager and if the manager politely said and explained to me calmly yeah we can't then I would have respected that... instead of being Rudely hung up on. read more

Beautiful little park with a short hikeable trail around a lake. Tours are available of the old paddle wheel mill. Great spot for outdoor pictures, especially as the leaves are changing. read more

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Yates Mill County park is definitely worth a visit for local Raleighites! With a 1 mile walking path around a pond, wood boardwalk for fishing, historic grist mill and park center with displays covering the history of the mill and area, there's plenty to do here for a 1 or 2 hour visit. The mill itself offers up weekend tours every now and then if you want to dig in deeper. The only negative would be a ban on dogs on park grounds. But otherwise Yates Mill is a lovely spot for a walk, fresh air and some sunshine. All the photographers and couples stopping by for engagement/wedding pics must be proof, eh? read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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When I found out that I was going to Raleigh, I decided to look up potential things to do if I had any free time. One of the places that I found was Yates Mill. I ended up having a tiny bit of free time so I decided to go to Yates Mill. Yates Mill was absolutely beautiful! It was one of the prettiest places that I have ever been to. The Yates Mill is a historic mill in Raleigh. There is an information center at the Mill. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to go to the information center and learn about the Mill because it closed before I got there. My friend and I walked around the water and at the end of the walk, we ended up at the Mill. We looked around the Mill for a little after our walk. [If you walk across the bridge that's over the water and go to your left (I believe), the path takes you the long way around to the Mill.] The sun was starting to set towards the end of our walk, so we ended up leaving shortly after we reached the Mill. I wish I was there longer! It was such a pretty and relaxing place. The Yates Mill is a beautiful place to walk around. I enjoyed walking around the park! There is a lot of nature to look at as well, which is nice. From looking at other pictures of the Mill and park, I saw that there are sometimes snakes in the water. I just wanted to state that so people are aware of their surroundings when walking around! If I ever go back to Raleigh, I definitely want to go back to the Yates Mill. It is a beautiful place! I recommend this place to both locals and tourists! Enjoy! Simona read more

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This is a beautiful park to walk around. You can do a long walk or a short one and go around the small lake. This is a beautiful place for pictures. Right now during the fall, all the colors and the mill makes a great background for portraits. You have to visit if you're in the area. They have public restrooms. read more

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Great place to go and walk outside and see the mill when the weather is nice. Very serene and beautiful views. Instagram: raleating read more

This a a lovely park with nice walking trails and some history part of N.C. State. Clean restrooms that are well maintained. No pets allowed. Fishing allowed off boardwalk with restrictions. Just a short distance from the Howling Cow Dairy Education and Creamery. Long line at the Creamery on the nice Sunday we went to the park. read more

Yates Mill County Park is a well maintained historic park that has trails to hike, a pond to fish and an educational visitor center with a ranger on site plus a variety of displays. There are programs posted for groups and a mill tour at scheduled times each month. On this day of my first visit, I strolled down to the mill and then decided to take the High Ridge Trail, one of 3 marked trails on the site. Each is about 2 miles in and out so a nice hike. Because of the trees surrounding the pond, I will make a point to return when fall colors are out. Important note: neither dogs or bikes are allowed. read more

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Great place to explore, learn and just relax really. I came here with my good camera and it did not disappoint. I love the rustic look of the restored mill along with some of the equipment left there from years ago. There's a short walking trail the allows you to see the water and docks. It's a great place to take photos too. Nothing fancy but I nice place to go and have a relaxing outing. read more

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This is just a quick review to share a tip. We parked in the parking lot and then weren't sure where to go to get to the actual mill and waterfall. We chose the path on the right and walked over a bridge but it was not over there. It is a short walk to the left from the parking lot behind the building with the restrooms. We were just there for short amount time, so don't have much more to share. read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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My kids love this park. All the turtles, fish, birds really get my kids attention. They love hanging out by the mill. An easy 1-2 hour event to keep them busy! Only wish this place was close to my family. read more

It's freaking gorgeous ! Enough words, just come ! It will be worth it I can promise you that . Also it's really easy trail so no worries read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Nice spot. 1) I enjoyed the mill very much. 2) They have a tour for 5 bucks inside the mill. 3) Worth coming here, if around the area. read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Beautiful historic mill with lots of history. Great photo opportunities. We took our senior pictures at this beautiful location

All around excellent place to visit. Professional photographers come here to take pics of their customers and I can see why! Easy hike around the lake, information center with clean facilities, learning area for all ages and a beautiful porch with rocking chairs. Reasonably priced tour of the mill is worthwhile with very knowledgeable and friendly volunteers who know the history of the mill and surrounding area. Very interesting and informative tour. Fishing is available there too on the bridge. Plenty of free parking too. read more

This is a really beautiful little park with some historic significance. There are four or five trails, none of which is over two miles (return), but all taking you on some scenic views of the surrounding trees or pond or the wetlands. The obvious draw of the park is the mill itself; a restored 18th century grist mill and its iconic waterwheel. The mill is on the national register of historic places and the exhibit in the Finley Center has an extensive chronicle of the mill's history. There's also an interactive exhibit showing how a mill grinds the corn and wheat into flour that is very eye-opening for those of us used to buying our pre-ground bags of flour at the grocery store without a thought as to what our ancestors used to do for a loaf of bread. There are tours of the actual mill itself and every month, corn-grinding demonstrations. The day I was there, several young kids were enjoying the exhibits and the parents all had cameras clicking as they took pictures of their offspring climbing on the rocks and posing near the mill. Those that weren't touring the mill were fishing off the walkway outside the Center or walking along the trails. Although the mill a big draw, the walking trails are really what might keep you returning. The park itself is a wildlife refuge with the pond, creek, wetlands, and trees. There are markers along the self-guided trails identifying the wildlife or vegetation you'll see in that area at various times of the year. The "tree trail" identifies at least 20 types of trees all in one area. Even with this trail and the map with outlines of the leaves for each, I still can't tell what type of tree I'm looking at, yet. This park was really a surprise for me, with far more to it than I had anticipated. Yates Mill Park has one thing that may be a negative for some: Because it's a wildlife refuge, no pets are allowed; so your four-legged friend will have to stay at home read more

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A very nice 1-2 mile walk around the lake with the mill that can be viewed from the outside. Good descriptions of mill operations. Great bridge to walk across and view most of the lake. Bunches of minnows turtles and insects. Binoculars to look at the turtles, etc. Only 4/5 due to no pets allowed anywhere except unofficially in the parking lot. Wonderful visit. read more

A pure joy for a walk. I always feel refreshed after visiting the mill and especially the waterfall. What else can I say but "Beautiful , Classic, and Historic Wake County". read more

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Beautiful! Kind of confusing to find since the GPS tells you that you have arrived in the middle of the street. Make sure to follow the signs that say historic Yates mill county park in 1000 and 500. Entrance has a small sign with the name so just make sure to pay attention after those first two smaller signs. Follow the sound of the water to get to the mill. There are a lot of cool things here read more

We stopped here for a few during the 4th of July holidays and it wasn't crowded. The park is beautiful and serene. Unfortunately, I didn't have any cash and there were no ATM's for me to get cash to pay for the 30 min guided tours. I was so annoyed but we made the best of it and enjoyed the park at our leisure. There was a very easy trail to follow and a huge beautiful bridge that leads you right back to where you initially started. We took tons of pictures and just enjoyed the quiet scenery. I would love to return and take the tour to learn more about the history of the area. read more

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Nice little park hidden away in the back roads of Raleigh, NC on Lake Wheeler Rd. I accidentally stumbled upon it one day when I got lost. The park is really clean with a nice trail and lake. It's great for walks but I would recommend running/jogging. read more

Historic Yates Mill County Park - Nice walk ways - Parks Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina