Clark's Bears
4.6(4.1K)google
4.5(2)yelp
Wildlife WatchingKidsOutdoorLive DemonstrationMust-SeeHistoryCarnivalWildlife
Overview
Clark's Bears, named Clark's Trading Post until 2019, is a visitor attraction in Lincoln, New Hampshire, United States, in the White Mountains. It is known for its trained bears and for the White Mountain Central Railroad, a 30-minute, 2.5-mile (4.0 km) steam-powered train ride. The attraction is located along U.S. Route 3, one mile (1.6 km) north of the village of North Woodstock and 9 miles (14 km) south of Franconia Notch.
Practical Info
Mon9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Tue9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Wed9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Thu9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Fri9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration3.5-5 hours
Best TimeBest visited from late May to mid-October. Arrive at the gates by 9:15 AM to enter exactly at 9:30 AM opening; heading straight to the outdoor amphitheater for the morning's first Famous Bear Show secures shaded bench seats and catches the rescued black bears at their highest energy levels before the midday heat hits.
Getting TherePerfectly positioned in Lincoln at 64 Main Street (US-3). Take I-93 to Exit 33 for US-3 North. Drive north for exactly 1 mile; the landmark family theme park is highly prominent on the left side of the highway, fronted by a high-capacity, well-lit and fully complimentary flat asphalt parking plaza.
Travel Tips
- The bear performance arena operates under strict safety capacity limits; queue at least 30 minutes before showtime as no seat reservations are permitted.
- The vintage steam train runs through late-summer mountain rain, but its open-air coaches offer zero storm protection, making rain gear mandatory.
- The main unpaved unlined gravel lot turns muddy during spring thaws or heavy downpours; RVs and low-clearance vehicles must seek hardpack zones.
Reviews
Positive
- A classic century-old family park! The black bear show is spectacular; the bears showcase talents under gentle guidance without coercion.
- The steam train ride is amazing! The infamous Wolfman chases the train along the tracks, making all the kids laugh and scream with joy.
- The entire park features flat, highly accessible walkways with clean family restrooms and orderly line management for all attractions.
- The admission policy is all-inclusive; aside from dining and gift shopping, all shows, train rides, and amusements require zero hidden fees.
Heads up
- The flat ticket rate runs high, particularly for elderly grandparents who just want to watch shows with grandkids without riding any attractions.
- Summer and foliage weekends draw massive crowds; the bear theater fills instantly, leaving latecomers standing in the blistering sun.
- While the train and bears are ace, some indoor antique museums look dated and dimly lit without modern digital upgrades.
- Being next to a major White Mountain arterial route, the parking exits hit a massive gridlock bottleneck during closing hour surges.