About this landmark

Mooney Grove Park, located within Visalia city limits but operated by Tulare County, offers 100 acres of outdoor and cultural attractions.

Mooney Grove Park is located at 27000 S. Mooney Boulevard in Visalia. Although situated within city limits, the park is Tulare County operated rather than a city facility. The 100 acres were donated to Tulare County in 1909 to establish the park. Admission is free as of July 2025, and the park is closed to visitors on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Park facilities and amenities

The park provides a diverse array of recreational opportunities for visitors. Picnic areas are equipped with arbors, seating, and barbecue facilities, offering shaded spaces for outdoor dining and gatherings. A fishing lagoon populated with geese and ducks provides a natural focal point, while recreation enthusiasts can engage with the 18-hole, 18-basket Perry Outback Disc Golf Course, which offers a unique sport within the park setting. Cultural visitors can explore the Tulare County Museum, located within the park grounds, which houses one of the largest Native American woven basket displays in the region—a collection reflecting the indigenous cultural heritage of the Central Valley.

The park's most iconic feature is a bronze sculpture replica of James Earle Fraser's "The End of the Trail," a powerful representation of Native American history and identity. The sculpture has become a significant landmark, drawing visitors and serving as a focal point for the park's cultural mission.

History of the End of the Trail sculpture

The history of "The End of the Trail" at Mooney Grove Park is a remarkable story of artistic preservation. The original plaster sculpture arrived at the park in sections on September 10, 1919, following a distinctive path. Thomas Jacob of the Tulare County Board of Forestry had requested the sculpture from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, and it was carefully assembled on the banks of Cameron Creek within the park. This sculpture was made of temporary plaster-like material never intended for permanent outdoor display, yet Tulare County crews undertook the ongoing work of maintaining it for approximately 50 years, keeping the original intact despite its fragile composition. In 1968, recognizing that the original could not endure indefinitely, it was transferred to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where it remains preserved indoors.

To ensure the park could continue to feature this iconic image, a bronze replica was dedicated at Mooney Grove Park on December 19, 1971, cast to replicate the original artwork in durable material. The bronze replica continues to stand in the park, available for public viewing. In 2006, a Hugh Mooney statue honoring the park's benefactor and his hunting dog was dedicated, adding another commemorative element to the park's landscape.

Insurance connection: Auto coverage

Visitors drive to Mooney Grove Park's 27000 S. Mooney Boulevard location, making auto insurance a consideration. California requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage to register a vehicle. Once issued, an auto policy can only be canceled or non-renewed for fraud, material misrepresentation, non-payment, or a substantial increase in hazard. "Good Driver" policyholders—licensed three consecutive years with one or fewer points—must receive rates at least 20% lower than non-Good-Driver rates from the same insurer. Eligibility and limits depend on the individual policy. The issued policy controls.

Plan a visit to Mooney Grove Park

Primary sources: Visit Visalia park details, City of Visalia park information, and local sculpture history.