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About Clark

Clark is a small unincorporated community of approximately 400 residents located 30 miles north of Cody in northwest Wyoming's Park County. Sitting at 4,500-5,000 feet elevation where the Beartooth Mountains meet the Absaroka Range, this high desert settlement embodies the rural American West. The area's history runs deep, intertwining Indigenous heritage with the era of Western expansion. The region and its river were named for William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1877, Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce passed through the area during their flight from the U.S. Army, exiting through Clarks Fork Canyon. The following year, a battle between General Nelson A. Miles and Bannock Indians occurred along Little Rock Creek, with both the creek and nearby Bennett Creek named for participants in these conflicts.

Today, Clark remains a small, tight-knit community. With approximately 400 full-time residents spread across roughly 50 square miles, the population consists of farmers, ranchers, retirees seeking peace and quiet, and workers who commute to Powell or Cody. The community has no formal town center or municipal services and falls within Powell's zip code area. An elementary school serves kindergarten through fourth grade students, typically with fewer than 20 students total. Older students bus to Powell for their secondary education. Without its own post office, mail is delivered through Powell. The Clarks Fork Recreation Center serves as a community hub, hosting various activities including an annual rodeo that brings neighbors together and celebrates the area's ranching heritage. The Clark area offers three public access points to the Shoshone National Forest, with the Clarks Fork Canyon being the most spectacular. Clark occupies a strategic position within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, situated between the world-famous Yellowstone National Park to the west and the scenic Beartooth Highway to the north. This location attracts visitors seeking a quieter, more authentic Western experience away from the crowds of major tourist destinations while still being within reach of spectacular scenery and wilderness.

Today's residents include farmers, ranchers, retirees, and commuters to Powell or Cody. The community has no town center or municipal services, though an elementary school and recreation center serve as gathering places. The annual rodeo celebrates local ranching heritage. Clark borders Shoshone National Forest and extensive public lands, offering exceptional outdoor recreation. The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River—Wyoming's only federally designated wild and scenic river—flows through spectacular canyon country, providing fishing, hiking, and access to wilderness.

Explore Clark

Clark Schools

Clark, Wyoming is a small, rural community with a unique and close-knit educational setting. Public education is provided by Park County School District #1, which serves Clark as well as nearby Powell and surrounding areas. 

Elementary (K–5):

  • Clark Elementary School – A very small rural school serving around 15–20 students, offering highly personalized instruction and a low student-teacher ratio.

Middle & High School (6–12):

  • Powell Middle School
  • Powell High School
  • Shoshone Learning Center (alternative high school)

Students from Clark typically travel to Powell for middle and high school, giving them access to broader academic programs and extracurricular activities.

Clark offers a truly personalized elementary school experience in a peaceful rural setting, while still providing access to well-rounded secondary education in nearby Powell making it ideal for families seeking both privacy and quality schooling.

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Clark Elementary School
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Powell Middle School
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Powell High School