County park, trails, lake, and fossil landscape

Ralph B. Clark Regional Park

About 4.7 road miles and 10 minutes from Knott’s before traffic

Explore 104 acres of lawn, hills, sandstone cliffs, trails, a three-acre fishing lake, picnic areas, playgrounds, and a fossil-rich Orange County landscape.

The place

About Ralph B. Clark Regional Park

Ralph B. Clark Regional Park sits at the foot of the Coyote Hills, with open lawns, native-plant slopes, sandstone cliffs, trails, picnic spaces, playgrounds, sports facilities, and a three-acre lake stocked for fishing. OC Parks lists the property at 104 acres and operates it independently from Knott’s Berry Farm.

The park preserves fossil beds exposed during sand-and-gravel excavation from 1956 to 1973. Official history names mammoth, ground sloth, ring-tailed cat, camel, whale, bison, and a major collection of fossilized pond turtles among the discoveries. The County acquired the site in 1974, and the park opened in phases beginning in 1981.

The Interpretive Center normally displays fossils spanning marine life up to 80 million years old through more recent terrestrial mammals. It is temporarily closed for improvements from June 17 through September 2026. The outdoor park remains the reliable part of this companion plan; recheck the official page before traveling for indoor exhibits.

What stands out

Walk below the Coyote Hills

Use the park’s paved walkways and unpaved trails through open lawns, native slopes, and sandstone-cliff scenery.

Build a picnic stop

Pair shaded picnic areas, tables, shelters, barbecues, restrooms, and playgrounds with a quieter break from the theme park.

Use the lake

Fish the stocked three-acre lake or watch permitted wind-powered model sailboats; swimming and general watercraft are prohibited.

Read the fossil landscape

Explore the outdoor setting that yielded important Orange County fossils, while recognizing the indoor center is temporarily closed.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Knott’s Berry Farm Calico Railroad trip

The checked driving baseline from Knott’s Berry Farm to Clark Park is about 4.7 road miles and 10 minutes before traffic. These are separately operated destinations with separate parking, schedules, rules, and visit lengths; Knott’s admission does not include any reserved park facility or vehicle-entry charge.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • Spring-summer hoursDaily, 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
  • Fall-winter hoursDaily, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Vehicle entry$3 Monday-Friday; $5 Saturday-Sunday; higher on some holidays and events
  • Interpretive CenterTemporarily closed for improvements June 17-September 2026
  • Outdoor scale104 acres with lawns, hills, sandstone cliffs, trails, and a three-acre lake
  • ActivitiesHiking, biking, fishing, picnics, playgrounds, tennis, volleyball, ball fields, and model sailing
  • DogsPermitted on a leash no longer than six feet
  • From Knott’sAbout 4.7 road miles and 10 minutes before traffic

Return to the train guide

Add Knott’s Berry Farm Calico Railroad

Use the Calico Railroad guide for current status, park admission, access details, history, and day-of checks.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

When is the outdoor park open?

OC Parks publishes daily hours of 7 a.m.-9 p.m. in spring and summer and 7 a.m.-6 p.m. in fall and winter.

How much is parking?

Vehicle entry is currently $3 Monday-Friday and $5 Saturday-Sunday, with higher charges on some holidays and events.

Is the Interpretive Center open?

No during the current improvement window. OC Parks says it is temporarily closed June 17 through September 2026.

What can I do outdoors?

Walk or bike trails, picnic, use playgrounds and sports facilities, fish the lake, or watch permitted model sailboats.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, but they must remain on a leash no longer than six feet.

Can I swim or launch a boat?

No. The park rules prohibit swimming, wading, and watercraft, except wind-powered model sailboats.

How far is it from Knott’s?

The checked route is about 4.7 road miles and 10 minutes before live traffic.

Does Knott’s admission include this park?

No. Clark Park is independently operated by OC Parks, with its own hours, rules, vehicle fees, and reservations.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-23. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.