Admission and Hours
Clark Gardens Hours of Operation
In case of inclement weather, please call ahead to be sure we are open. 940-682-4856
The hours of operation are strictly enforced. Guests are expected to observe those hours. Garden gates are locked at 5:00 pm.
Summer & Winter Seasons
Garden Members: During the "Summer and Winter Seasons," Clark Gardens members may access the Gardens year-round by calling ahead to the business office. This option is valid for Clark Garden Members only. This option is not valid for AHS reciprocating memberships. Garden membership information.
Please call the business office during normal business hours to schedule an appointment.
Business Office
Monday-Friday (year-round excluding holidays)
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
940-682-4856
Dates:
- March 1, 2024 through July 7, 2024
- August 31, 2024 through December 1, 2024
Times:
Monday-Saturday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
SUMMER & WINTER SEASONS
- By Appointment Only, Excluding Private Events & Festivals -
- July 8, 2024 through August 30, 2024
Private Events - Including Weddings and Receptions
Private events, including weddings and receptions, are available for scheduling year-round. Please contact the business office to schedule your event, and your pre-event tour of the Gardens. See more information about Private Events.
During private events and weddings certain areas of the garden will be off limits. Please observe the signs marking these areas.
Annual Memberships
Membership allows unlimited visits to the Park for one year from the date of purchase. Read more about Clark Gardens memberships...
Bad Weather Note
Clark Gardens may close during inclement weather, including icy conditions. If bad weather is in the area, please call ahead to be sure we are open. 940-682-4856
General Admission Fee
- $10.00 per adult
- $8.00 per senior (65 and over)
- $5.00 per child (4 to 12 years of age)
- Free admission for children 3 years of age and under
* Should you visit the Park and not find the attendant in the admissions booth, please use the "Honor Box" located on the front of the booth. All funds are used to maintain the Park for your enjoyment.
Festival Admission Fee
- Festival admission fees vary by festival.
- No guest passes are accepted.
- No senior discounts.
- American Horticulture Society (AHS) reciprocation memberships are not honored at festivals.
AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program
Clark Gardens is a participating garden in the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Reciprocal Admissions Program. Visit our AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program Policy page for details.
Dog Policy
Dogs are welcome to tour the gardens, at no additional charge. Dogs must be with their owner and on a leash at all times. Please pick up after your pet too.
Handicap Accessibility
Most all areas of the gardens are handicap accessible. We do not have wheelchairs available anymore.
Garden Tours
Garden Guided Tours during the Summer & Winter Season for non-Clark Gardens Members may be made by prior arrangement based on staffing availability. Please schedule guided tours with the business office. Self-guided garden strolls during the Summer & Winter Season are a benefit made available to Clark Gardens Members only. Closed season self-guided strolls are required to be pre-scheduled and are subject to facility maintenance accessibility and staffing availability.
Tour groups may reserve pavilions in advance. Non-tour garden guest may not use these pavilions during the allotted reservation time. Group Garden Tour information.
Motorized Cart Tours
Motorized cart tours are available by prepaid reservation only. See all the details about motorized cart tours.
G-Scale Model Train Operating Schedule
The G-Scale Model Trains run seasonally during our open season: Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend; and the first weekend in March through July 4th weekend. Trains do not run during rain.
Model Train Running Hours
Monday-Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Trains do not run during rain.
Please do not allow children to climb on or touch any of the G-Scale Model Trains or tracks.
Proper Attire for Gardens
Garden guests are encouraged to wear closed toe shoes. The garden is home to spiders, insects, wild animals and snakes. We encourage caution while walking through the garden.
Photography
Visit the photography page for guidelines, etiquette, and to purchase a commercial photography pass.
Map & Directions
[ Click here to view an interactive map ]
Clark Gardens is 3 miles east of Mineral Wells, Texas and 1 mile north of Highway 180. From Highway 180, turn north on Maddux Road and go approximately 1 mile. The entrance to Clark Gardens will be on the right/east side of the road.
Clark Gardens Botanical Park is approximately 45 minutes from Fort Worth, Granbury, Stephenville and Jacksboro; and 15 minutes from Weatherford.
Bloom Dates
March
Redbuds
Azaleas - including Encore series - peak late March to mid April
Bluebonnets by the thousands
Mexican Plums
Hollies
Magnolias
Quince
Tulips
Columbine
Lady Banksia Roses
Hyacinth
Lenten Rose
Summer Snowflake
Agarita Shrub
Evergreen Clematis
Ornamental Kale and Cabbage
Annuals including snapdragons and pansies
Trees bud out
April
Tulips
Magnolias
Water Lilies
Thousands of Double Ruffle Pink Poppies (peak mid April)
Verbena
Azaleas including Encore series - peak late March to mid April
Roses - peak mid April to early May; including: Earthkind Roses, David Austin Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Dr. Griffith Buck Roses, Knockout Roses and Peggy Martin Roses.
Iris - Over 4000 named iris bloom peaking in mid April to early May, including: Bearded Iris, Dutch Iris, Louisiana Iris, Spuria Iris and Japanese Iris.
Lavendar
Crossvine
Pennisetum
Columbine
Dianthus
Ferns including Japanese Painted Fern, Autumn Fern, Southern Wood Fern and Holly Fern.
Abundant wildflowers including bluebonnets
Annuals including snapdragons, pansies, geraniums
May
Butterfly BushOxalis
Roses - peak mid April to early May including: Earthkind Roses, David Austin Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Dr. Griffith Buck Roses, Knockout Roses and Peggy Martin Roses.
Over 1400 named iris - peak mid April to early May including: Bearded Iris, Dutch Iris, Louisiana Iris, Spuria and Japanese Iris.
Ferns including: Japanese Painted Fern, Autumn Fern, Southern Wood Fern and Holly Fern.
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower)
Torch Lilies including Red Hot Poker
Echinacea
Cactus
Yucca
Over 600 varieties of Daylilies - begin mid to late May
Over 120 varieties of Cannas - begin late May
Yarrow
Numerous types of Salvias including Autumn Sage and Henry Duelberg.
Ice plant
Magnolias
Abelia
Purple Heart
Oak Leaf Hydrangeas
Elephant Ears
Hosta
Pomegranate Tree
Oleanders
Artemesia
Caladiums
Trumpet Vine
Coreopsis
Bird of Paradise Tree
Abundant wildflowers
Annuals including pentas, vinca, impatiens and zinnias.
June
Daylily - peak to mid-month
Water Lilies
Crape Myrtles - begin
Cannas
Salvias
Black-Foot Daisy
Lantanas
Turk's Cap
Perennials
July
Cannas
Roses
Salvias
Poinciana
Vitex
Lantana
Desert Willow
Crape Myrtles
Damianita
Turk's Cap
Rock Penstemon
Water Lilies
August
Crape Myrtle
Vitex
Zinnia
Water Lilies
Sunflowers
Turk's Cap
Bougainvillea
Ornamental Grasses
September
Fall CrocusEnd of Crape Myrtles
Chrysanthemums
Roses
Sunflowers
Salvias
Turk's Cap
Ornamental Grasses
October
Roses - fall peak
Fall Aster
Chrysanthemums
Ornamental Grasses
Fall Crocus
Salvias peak
Elaeagnus - very fragrant
Azaleas
Cockscomb
Lantana
Canna
Hibiscus
Zinnia
November
Elaeagnus
Fall Color
Holly Berries
Ornamental Grasses
Salvias
Geese Migration
Max and Billie Clark's Garden
Making History Since 1972
The living, blooming, growing love story of Max and Billie Clark
Surrounded by native woodlands and tucked away down a country road between Weatherford and Mineral Wells, Texas, is Clark Gardens. Its story is one of hard work, dreams and the visions of Max and Billie Clark. What began as the Clark's private garden in 1972 - a small personal endeavor of traditional landscaping on this rugged Texas hillside - is now a botanical masterpiece. Much of this world of tranquility - this unexpected treasure - was sparked by Billie Clark's inspirations. In 1999, Max and Billie established the Max and Billie Clark Foundation and donated 143 acres, including the gardens, to this new non-profit organization.
Now the gardens are a working model of beautiful, yet sustainable, landscapes. The native Texas and Texas adaptable plants the park exhibits are low maintenance and many are drought tolerant. On April 22, 2000, Clark Gardens opened its gates to the public and has been declared one of the most beautiful gardens in the nation. Visitors may take a photo journey of the making of Clark Gardens, and read more about its unique history when they visit the History House in the Park's West Garden Area.
Billie Y. Clark, Co-Founder of Clark Gardens
Billie Y. Clark, 78, passed away Friday, September 7, 2012, at the House of Hope in Wichita Falls, Texas from Alzheimer's Disease.
Calendar
Event 1
Event 2
Eventcetera
Tour the Gardens
From self-guided tours to group tour programs, at Clark Gardens you will find the perfect fit for your visit. The group tour programs are great for your garden or nature club, school, church, family, business or other organization. A variety of menu options are available to compliment your trip. See general admission and group tour information. Guided cart tours are available (reservations required).
Visit us on a School Tour
Learn more about our School Group Tours.
Clark Gardens was selected as the Official Best Public Garden in Texas for 2014 and featured in a TV segment about the Gardens airing on 3 different networks. The Official Best Of also created a brief preview video about the Gardens. Check it out...
Garden Happenings
Your Event
Clark Gardens provides a variety of rental facilities and offers many benefits that other locations do not.
With nine diverse venues from which to choose, you are sure to find the ideal place for your special event.
Whatever the occasion: garden wedding, reception, party, prom, club meeting, business meeting, family reunion, celebrations of all kinds, Clark Gardens has the perfect venue to help make your event a success.
Check-out our many event venues and indoor facilities.
Visit the Clark Gardens Weddings website.
Physical Address [map]
567 Maddux Road
Weatherford, Texas 76088
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 276
Mineral Wells, Texas 76068
Phone: (940) 682-4856
Fax: (940) 682-4078
Email: