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Clay County, Texas was organized in 1857 and is nestled in the rolling plains of north central Texas. The northern Clay County border is set by the picturesque Red River, which also serves as the border between Oklahoma and Texas. Clay County is traversed by two other rivers, the Wichita and the Little Wichita. Clay County is the largest county in the area comprising of 705,180 acres.

Wide vistas of rolling native rangeland dominate the Clay County landscape. Predominantly sandy loam soils support a wide variety of native rangeland plants including bluestems, indiangrass, gramas, other grasses and a variety of forbs. These loamy savannahs are home to post oaks, elm, and many other woody species. Areas of clay county soils support shorter grasses along with mesquite, lotebush, and prickly pear. River bottomland over story is comprised of large oaks, elm, cottonwood and other trees. Average elevation ranges from 900 to 1100 feet above sea level. Normal precipitation is 30” per year, with high rainfall months in May and September. Winter temperatures rarely reach below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer days can reach 100 to 105 degrees. The average daily minimum is 30 degrees and the average daily maximum is 95 degrees. About 15% of the county is cultivated, mostly with drilled crops such as wheat and summer hay. An area of orchards, berries and other crops provides an interesting change in the northwest area of the county. Fruits and vegetables are available for picking during summer months. Beef cattle are the primary agricultural enterprise. Numerous livestock ponds provide a water source for livestock and wildlife. Lake Arrowhead, located on the west border, covers approximately 16,200 acres and has about 100 miles of shoreline. Ponds and lakes are home to largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and perch.