Lincoln, NH
Clark's Bears
4.6· 4,077 Google reviews
Trip at a Glance
Source checked 2026-08-24- TypeFamily attraction with trained-bear shows, museums, rides, and an included heritage train
- LocationLincoln, NH
- Rating4.6 ★4,077 Google reviews
- UpcomingSat, Sep 26
About Clark's Bears
Clark's Bears is the current name of the family attraction long known as Clark's Trading Post. A full-day ticket combines trained-bear shows, the White Mountain Central Railroad, seasonal circus acts, family rides, five museums, shops, and food inside one park. The approximately 25-minute railroad ride is included with admission rather than sold as a separate excursion. The official 2026 calendar uses pink, purple, and yellow schedules with different park hours, show lineups, and train frequencies, so visitors should plan from the color assigned to their date.
Plan a Clark's Bears Day
Choose the visit that fits your groupEvery visitor
Build the day from the color calendar
Match the chosen date to pink, purple, or yellow hours and show times before deciding what fits.
Families and railfans
Ride the included railroad
Cross the 1904 covered bridge and enter Wolfman territory on the 2.5-mile White Mountain Central ride.
Families and visitors with mobility needs
Protect show and boarding time
The operator coordinates bear shows with train departures, but accessible spaces and lift boarding need early arrival.
Active White Mountains visitors
Add Lost River on a separate block
Use the substantial gorge guide before combining its timed, 1,000-stair loop with a park day.
Upcoming Events
Official schedule information
2026 special-event calendar
Schedule information was checked against the linked official source. Dates, availability, and operating conditions can change. Check the live official calendar ↗
Plan Your Visit
- Advance admission$33 ages 4-64; $30 seniors 65+ and qualifying military; processing fees apply
- Day-of admission$37 ages 4-64; $34 seniors 65+ and qualifying military; processing included
- Young childrenAges 1-3 are free under the published 2026 policy
- Advance deadlineDiscounted online tickets must be purchased before midnight the day before arrival
- TrainIncluded 25-minute, 2.5-mile White Mountain Central Railroad ride; no separate train-only fare is published
- Train timesPink and purple days: 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30; yellow days add 3:30
- Bear showsPink and purple days: noon and 3; yellow days: 11, 1, and 3
- CircusPurple days: 11 and 2; yellow days: 10, noon, and 2
- Park hoursPink 10-4; purple 9:30-4:30; yellow 9:30-5; use the official calendar for the chosen date
- Train accessibilityA lift serves the coach nearest the locomotive from the Railroad Station side; arrive 10 minutes early and notify staff
- Show accessibilityFour ground-level wheelchair spaces are published for bear and circus shows; arrive about 20 minutes early
- Park mobilityMost paths are paved, but several rides and the Florence Murray Museum require steps or transfers
- Mobility equipmentManual wheelchairs and strollers are free first-come; electric scooters are not rented
- WeatherLight rain generally does not stop rides or shows; some rides pause in heavy rain or lightning
- AnimalsNo pets; trained service dogs are accepted under specific bear-show and train guidance
Find the Depot
The Trains
The included White Mountain Central Railroad uses a 1920 Climax geared steam locomotive during the operator's published summer and Labor Day periods and a 65-ton General Electric diesel during listed shoulder-season periods. Clark's also preserves Porter, Heisler, Shay, Baldwin, and other railroad equipment. Collection photographs document that heritage but do not guarantee a locomotive or car for a particular trip; the official schedule says assignments can change without notice.
History
Florence and Edward Clark opened the family sled-dog attraction.
Bears became part of the Clark property.
The trained-bear show debuted.
The Clark brothers began building their visitor railroad.
The first White Mountain Central passenger ride ran on July 30.
The relocated 1904 covered railroad bridge was completed over the Pemigewasset River.
The attraction adopted the Clark's Bears name.
The park publishes a complete color-coded operating calendar with train, bear-show, and circus times.
See full history
Florence and Edward Clark opened an Eskimo sled-dog ranch on the property in 1928, added bears in 1930, and introduced the trained-bear show in 1949. The Clark brothers began rescuing steam locomotives and laying the White Mountain Central Railway in 1955; the first public train ran July 30, 1958. They later moved and rebuilt a 1904 Howe-truss railroad bridge from Vermont across the Pemigewasset River. The attraction adopted the Clark's Bears name in 2019 while preserving the family, bear-show, museum, and railroad traditions associated with Clark's Trading Post.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clark's Trading Post now called Clark's Bears?
Yes. The attraction adopted the Clark's Bears name in 2019; the legacy database slug remains clarks-trading-post so established links continue to work.
Does admission include the train?
Yes. The White Mountain Central Railroad is included with full-day Clark's Bears admission; no separate train-only fare is published.
How much are 2026 tickets?
Advance general admission is $33 for ages 4-64 and $30 for seniors or qualifying military. Day-of prices are $37 and $34 respectively. Ages 1-3 are free.
When do trains run?
Pink and purple dates publish 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 departures. Yellow dates add 3:30. Use the official calendar because schedules can change.
Will a bear show make us miss the train?
The operator says bear and circus shows are coordinated with train rides: shows wait for the train to return, and the train waits for a show to let out.
Is the park wheelchair accessible?
Most paths are paved, shows have designated ground-level spaces, and one train coach has lift boarding. Several rides and one museum require steps or transfers, so review the attraction-by-attraction guidance.
Are wheelchairs or strollers available?
The park lists free manual wheelchairs and strollers on a first-come basis. It does not rent electric scooters.
What happens when it rains?
Light rain generally leaves rides and shows operating. Some outdoor rides pause in heavy rain or lightning; canceled bear or circus shows can trigger rain checks rather than admission refunds.
Can I bring a pet?
No pets are permitted. Service dogs are accepted under specific control, bear-show-distance, and train-seating guidance published by the park.
Is Lost River a quick add-on?
No. Its timed one-mile loop usually takes 1.5-2 hours and includes more than 1,000 stairs. Treat it as a separate itinerary block with driving and schedule margin.
Sources & Verification
Source-checked August 24, 2026. This free profile has not yet been claimed or confirmed by the operator.
- Official 2026 prices, age bands, advance deadline, address, phone, and season-pass terms
- Official 2026 calendar for park hours, train, bear-show and circus times, dates, and change disclaimer
- Official train page for route, duration, locomotive periods, equipment, bridge, and Wolfman context
- Official FAQ for show coordination, weather, service dogs, mobility, restrooms, rentals, and first aid
- Official railroad history for the family timeline, first ride, bridge relocation, and equipment preservation
- Licensed Clark’s and White Mountain Central image category
