Managed as a historic site and native wildlife refuge, the 174-acre Historic Yates Mill County Park features the last operating 19th-century water-powered grist mill in North Carolina's capital county. The park includes more than three miles of hiking trails that traverse pond, creek, forest and wetland habitats. Picnic areas, boardwalks, overlook decks, a field classroom, and an amphitheater are available year-round. Steep Hill Creek and a 3,300-acre watershed feed the 20-acre mill pond. The A.E. Finley Center's 2,200-square-foot exhibit hall contains artifacts and interpretive panels on local history, agriculture and the environment.