The park was originally known as Los Coyotes Regional Park before being renamed to honor Ralph B. Clark, a former Orange County supervisor.
The park houses the Interpretive Center, which displays Ice Age fossils discovered during the park's initial excavation.
The onsite lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and catfish by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The land features significant geological deposits, including marine fossils dating back millions of years to the Miocene epoch.
The Coyote Hills, situated adjacent to the park, are part of a tectonic uplift that creates a distinct ecological boundary.
Ralph B. Clark Regional Park is a 104-acre recreational facility located at the base of the Coyote Hills in Buena Park, California. The park is managed by Orange County Parks and features an interpretive center dedicated to local paleontology. The landscape includes a 3-acre fishing lake, open turf areas, and various sports courts. Its topography is defined by the transition between the urban plain and the uplifted sedimentary formations of the Coyote Hills. The site provides habitat for diverse avian species and remains a regional hub for outdoor community gatherings.
The north end of the fishing lake looking toward the elevated ridges of the Coyote Hills during golden hour.
Visit the Interpretive Center first to understand the fossil history of the specific site you are standing on.
Bring polarized sunglasses to better view aquatic life in the fishing lake.
Utilize the designated picnic shelters, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis unless reserved in advance.
Do not attempt to hike off-trail into the Coyote Hills brush, as this area is prone to rattlesnakes and fragile vegetation.
Leashed pets are permitted in designated areas; pack out all trash to maintain the ecological integrity of the lake surroundings.
