There are no job openings at this time.

All available positions with Wake County Parks can be found here.

There are opportunities to have an enjoyable picnic at the park. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park and available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are no available grills, and open flame is prohibited in the park.

Picnic tables and the field classroom cannot be reserved.

Fishing is allowed from the Pond Boardwalk only.

All baits except minnows are allowed. Note that all North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Rules and Regulations apply; adults must have a NC fishing license.

HISTORIC YATES MILL COUNTY PARK FISHING RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. Fishing is only allowed from the pond boardwalk and upper boardwalk only. There is no bank fishing.
2. There is a one-pole limit per fisherman on the pond.
3. As of January 1, 2007, everyone 16 years of age or older is required to possess a state fishing license, no matter the type of bait being used and place of residence. Proof of age and residence must be shown to proper authorities upon request.
4. Minnows cannot be used as bait at Yates Mill Pond.
5. No cast nets.
6. Fishermen must clean up any trash, fishing tackle and fishing line left behind at the end of their fishing trip.
7. No smoking in the park.

FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THESE RULES COULD RESULT IN FISHERMEN LOSING THEIR PRIVILEGE TO FISH AT YATES MILL POND!

We want to see YOU in our favorite park spots! Look for the #ParkPicks sign at Historic Yates Mill County Park (head to the Mill Overlook Deck on the south side of the pond), STOP and SNAP a selfie and SHARE it with us using the hashtag #ParkPicks. We can't wait to see your selfies!

Historic Yates Mill County Park is now an official ecoExplore hotspot! You can help scientists collect data and earn badges and even prizes! This program is a wonderful and fun initiative of the NC Arboretum that not only helps nature, but helps you become an expert naturalist!

On their website you can search different hotspots and view challenges to participate in.

The mill, operated by the nonprofit group Yates Mill Associates, contains multiple generations of milling technology and displays the evolution of early industries in piedmont North Carolina. Guided tours are available at published times on weekends from March through November, with corn-grinding demonstrations on the third weekend of the month in the spring and fall. All tour revenue directly supports the mill’s upkeep and operations.

Mill Hours:

The historic mill building is usually open for guided tours by appointment during the week and at published times from March through the end of November each year.

Corn-grinding demonstrations are offered on the third weekend of each month from March through June and from September through November. Visit the Mill Tours page for more information.

There is a small fee for all guided tours – note that all proceeds are given to the non-profit Yates Mill Associates and directly support the mill's maintenance and operations.

The Education Wing of the A.E. Finley Center for Education & Research houses an exhibit hall, auditorium, classrooms and staff offices. NC State University conducts biological studies in the center’s Research Wing. Enjoy an excellent view of the pond and mill from a rocking chair on the building’s back porch.

Visitor Center Hours

The center is now open to the public.

The center, including its 2,200 square-foot exhibit hall, is usually open 7 days per week, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admittance to the visitor center is FREE.

Use of the center's facilities must fit the park's mission and requires a fee.  All use requests by outside agencies or individuals must be made within one month of the requested date(s).

EXHIBITS AND DISPLAYS
The Finley Center’s 2,200 square-foot exhibit hall contains artifacts and interpretive panels on local history, agriculture and the environment. It also features fun, self-guided activities. Park grounds include several wayside displays.

All trails close a half-hour before sunset. Pick up a copy of the Tree Identification Trail brochure at the Finley Center, and check out the park’s wildlife interpretation stations and wayside exhibits.

Millpond Trail – 1 Mile
This trail includes an accessible gravel pathway to the mill, a stone ramp to a low bridge over the creek (may be closed during flooding), stone steps through the old miller’s residence area and the pond boardwalk.

High Ridge Trail – 0.8 Mile
This naturally surfaced linear trail travels along the ridges above the pond through mixed old field pine, hardwood forests and north-facing bluffs. When combined with part of the Mill Pond Trail, the trail length can be extended to a 1.25-mile loop.

Creekside Trail – 1 Mile
This linear trail crosses over several wetland areas by way of footbridges and wooden walk-boards. After a short loop at the end of the trail, hikers will retrace their steps back to the boardwalk for a total of 2 miles.

A Piedmont Prairie is an endangered ecosystem that historically was found right here. This garden was installed to help preserve an all-but-lost habitat in North Carolina.

It is not seen very often today due to development. Only a handful of piedmont prairies are left in our nature preserves, road banks and along railroad borders.

Piedmont prairies typically grow on poor soils and, because of this, they do not support tree growth but, instead, short grasses and drought-tolerant wildflowers. Fire plays an integral part in keeping the prairies alive, through natural lightning strikes and prescribed burns. Fires reduce competition from woody shrubs and trees, creating a transitional zone between prairie and forest. Additionally, fire reduces fuel loads in the adjacent forest and controls invasive plants. Lack of burning has resulted in less prairies and more forests of pine, oak and hickory.

This garden was installed by Girl Scout Troop 468 with park staff. In the middle of the garden, a monarch butterfly statue is featured. This was installed by the Carolina Butterfly Society in memory of frequent park visitor and butterfly enthusiast Bud Webster. The garden features all pollinator-friendly plants, as well as a newly installed bee box put together by the Girl Scouts.

Please note: Do not enter the garden or attempt to photograph with the statue, as this could cause potential harm to the plants and the statue itself.