J. Bayard Clark Park and Nature Center

631 Sherman Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28301. Use this entrance for the nature center and wooded trails; the nearby Moses Mathis Bicycle Man trailhead serves the Cape Fear River Trail.

Use 631 Sherman Drive for Clark Park and the nature center. This is also one of the primary parking locations for the Cape Fear River Trail, so spaces can be busier on pleasant weekends.

The outdoor park is open daily 8 a.m. to dusk. The Nature Center is generally open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturdays March-October 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; confirm holiday and program changes.

General park, nature-center, trail, playground, StoryWalk, and picnic access are free. Some registered programs, group services, or rentals use separate arrangements.

Restrooms are available in the developed park and nature-center area. Do not expect facilities along every wooded path or between distant Cape Fear River Trail access points.

The developed parking, nature center, playground and restroom area provides the most practical access. Unpaved woodland trails, slopes, waterfall approaches and remote routes vary.

Clark Park has its own unpaved woodland trails and connects to the ten-foot paved Cape Fear River Trail. The separate mountain-bike network begins about one mile north along the river trail near Eastwood Avenue.

Families can combine live-animal exhibits, StoryWalk, the Moses Mathis playground, picnic views, short woodland routes, and a manageable out-and-back on the paved river trail.

Well-behaved dogs are welcome on trails when leashed. Remove waste and keep pets controlled around wildlife, live animals, children, bicycles, and indoor nature-center spaces.

Picnic areas overlook the woods and waterfall setting. Contact the park for school groups, ranger programs, reserved use, or visits that need guaranteed facilities.

Look for the Nature Center, live-animal displays, StoryWalk, waterfall overlook, Moses Mathis Bicycle Man playground and trailhead, wooded paths, and Cape Fear River Trail connection.

Severe weather, high water, fallen trees, trail work, programs, holidays, and building staffing can affect individual features. The outdoor park may remain open when the Nature Center is closed.