Clark, Wyoming is a small rural community approximately 30 miles north of Cody, WY on Hwy 120, in Park County, Wyoming. Clark is unincorporated, and has no specific central "town site" per se, or town services. It is included in the PowellZip Code area, which is approximately 30 miles away, but has no other formal connection to Powell except the school district. Clark is an unincorporated community with close relationships among the roughly 300 full-time residents. Residents are a mix of farmers, ranchers, and retirees who come to the area for the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. Otherwise those working generally have employment in Powell or Cody. There is an elementary school in Clark, which is part of Park CountySchool District #1 in Powell, but most Junior High and High School students bus to Powell and the rest to Belfry, MT. Clark borders the Shoshone National Forest, State, and BLM administered lands and Clark's Fork River/Canyon, making it a prime area for the outdoor enthusiast. Winters are moderately mild, with elevation averages of about. The area is semi-arid high desert sagebrush plains with little rain or snowfall, less than 10" per year, as the bordering mountains squeeze much of the moisture from the atmosphere. It was a wintering area for Indian tribes in the 19th century, due to the milder temperatures, relative lack of snow, abundant sunshine and game animals. Tipi rings can be found in the area.
History
John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and later well known mountain man, broke off from the expedition on the return trip in 1806, explored the Yellowstone area, and spent a winter near the future Clark. Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce, running from the US Army in 1877, came through the area, and out the mouth of Clark's Fork Canyon on his way to Canada. There was a battle between General Nelson A. Miles and some Bannock Indians along Little Rock Creek. The creek was named for one of the scouts involved in that battle. For a thorough narrative and analysis of the battle, see Walpole, Kyle BENNETT BUTTE: "BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD" A Narrative of Miles' Fight on the Clark's Fork and Analysis of a Monumental Historical Mystery. Orig 1998. Digital iBooks publication 2013. Bennett Creek is named for a Captain Bennett who was killed in the engagement. Part of the saga of Earl Durrand, outlaw and backwoodsman, was played out in Clark. Clark plus the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River were named for William Clark, of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
