12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed camping options near Clayton, New Mexico are limited, with most camping concentrated at established campgrounds like Clayton Lake State Park and Coyote Keith's RV Park. The Clayton area primarily features developed sites for both tent and RV camping, with several parks offering full hookup services. Clayton Lake State Park, located about 12 miles north of town, provides both primitive and electrical sites along with access to a 170-acre reservoir. The region's campgrounds generally accommodate various camping styles with sites suitable for tents, RVs, and in some locations, cabin rentals.
Road conditions to camping areas vary, with Clayton Lake State Park requiring travel down a 10-mile access road from the highway. Most campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though visitors should prepare for seasonal weather fluctuations typical of northeastern New Mexico's high plains environment at approximately 5,200 feet elevation. Cell service can be inconsistent throughout the region, particularly at Clayton Lake where connectivity is limited. Advance reservations are recommended for electrical hookup sites, which are fewer in number than primitive options. "New Mexico state parks nearly all require online reservations now. Pretty area in the middle of open prairie. Well spaced non-electric sites but it can be a long walk to toilets," noted one visitor to Clayton Lake State Park.
Campers consistently highlight the peaceful setting and natural features available at Clayton Lake State Park, particularly the unique dinosaur tracks preserved at the spillway. The tracks, discovered during dam construction, represent one of the park's most distinctive attractions. Several visitors mention wildlife viewing opportunities, with reports of coyotes, deer, jackrabbits, and various bird species. Fishing is popular at Clayton Lake, with multiple reviews noting active fish jumping in the reservoir. Overnight guests appreciate the clean facilities, with one camper remarking that "the bathrooms and showers are dated, but they do everything that you need." For those seeking convenience rather than natural settings, the self-service layout at Coyote Keith's RV Park receives positive feedback for its spacious pull-through sites and easy highway access.
"Clayton Lake State Park near Clayton, New Mexico turned out to be a pleasant surprise."
"Clayton Lake State Park lies in the NE corner of New Mexico. It is about 12-15 miles North of the small town of Clayton. Most camping sites are basic and seven are electrical with water hookups."
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availability"I needed a place to stay for a long drive through the area. Coyote Keith's is a clean, efficient, and convenient stop in the area. "
"so we extended our stay a few extra days for some R&R ....the park is kind of out in the middle nowhere in route to southeastern Colorado..it's a quiet campground in itself , there is a train close by"
from $40 - $44 / night
Check Availability"Campground close to Highway near schools. Bathhouse had hot showers. Also had Wi-Fi. $31 for 30 amp hookup. Site was level did not unhook."
"About 20 minutes from Clayton, this spot is easy to get to with my 23ft rig with paved road the whole way. Plenty of space to turn around and park multiple rigs. It was quiet and felt safe."
"I have to agree with everyone else-this is a nice, small spot in a quiet location away from traffic."
"Tucked away so you would never know it was here if you weren’t navigating directly to it."
"This is a bare bones campground but was a good, quiet stop on our drive. There are composting toilets, trash cans, picnic tables, and bbqs. Clean and just what we needed"
"Farthest point you can go in the panhandle and it borders Colorado and New Mexico. It’s the only part of Oklahoma that’s on Mountain Time.
The park was great.""Campsites are located outside of the actual 'Black Mesa', but a short drive will get you to the trailhead. Trail is simple and easy to follow."
from $35 / night
"30 a night for a quiet RV park right off the highway. Drop box for cash or check only. There is a bathroom with a shower inside the small building with the drop box on the outside."
"There are many positive reviews about this place and I have to say they are true. Very clean and safe for a Solo Traveler."
"This RV Campground was very conveniently located on our route out of Texas. It was clean with well maintained camp sites. The staff were pleasant and helpful."
ScoutI have to agree with everyone else-this is a nice, small spot in a quiet location away from traffic. There are a few trees but the area has nice grass, a fire pit, grills, tables, a horseshoe pit, and pit toilet. Everything was very clean and well managed by USFS as part of the Rita Blanca National Grassland. Ideal spot to rest before continuing a long drive.
TravelerNice clean campground. Good space and pull through parking. Right off the highway. Bathrooms clean and user friendly.
GuideStopped for an overnight, needing no amenities but just a good level spot. Certainly got that but also got it at a reasonable price by friendly hosts who are taking real care of this place. (We paid cash so it was $39.50 but they do take cards and it’s currently $41 for 2 people.) The gravel spaces were very carefully machined racked/prepared. The dog path was literally the cleanest and best groomed we’ve ever seen anywhere (& we’ve been RVing for years). The permanent residents section take pride in their yards as well with nice grass & clean yards. As for the train noise in the night, you can’t live anywhere in all of Dalhart & not hear the trains! We just just turned on our system fan and had a great nights rest.
ScoutTucked away so you would never know it was here if you weren’t navigating directly to it. Very cute and small, probably 6 ish sites in a row and toilets on the opposite side, just drive up and park and you’re good to go. Nice free place to stop on my road trip, but if I lived vaguely nearby I could see myself enjoying a quiet long weekend here. The grasslands are beautiful and it felt very peaceful and safe.
Guide14 miles of country roads to the park. It’s fairly easy and level parking with pull through. No dump station so be aware. Also my phone has no reception so starlink recommended.
GuideLong way out of town Broken pavement and gravel, steep, curves Water and electric sites are very close Other sites are spread out , roads were gravel, picnic table with roof, fire rings
Most sites not level, some sites are tent or pop up size Rest rooms were clean , showers had hot water, vault toilets were clean, park manager was helpful and knowledgeable Bear proof trash cans throughout
No dump station
Fantastic lake, lots of campers fishing Good hiking to the Dinosaur Tracks and nature trail Saw some deer near our camp
GuideClean enough sites, but $56+tax and fees and you still pay $10 for a shower and it’s JUST CONCRETE. Love’s needs to do better on price.
I actually did NOT stay, picked another site nearby.
GuideTo begin, this has been our favorite camp site out of the eight we have been to on this trip. The wildlife and sightseeing are phenomenal; plenty of birds and deer, and the sky at night is worth the trip. the restrooms and showers were very clean, which can't be said for a lot of campsites, and the walking trails were pretty. Only regret was staying one night; will return to get the full experience.
GuideNice park off the beaten path
Camping sites near Clayton, New Mexico range from state parks with water access to free picnic areas for overnight stays. The region sits at approximately 5,200 feet elevation in northeastern New Mexico's high plains, characterized by grasslands and sandstone formations. Most camping locations experience extreme temperature variations between seasons, with summer days often exceeding 90°F and winter nights dropping below freezing.
Dinosaur track viewing: At Clayton Lake State Park Campground, visitors can explore prehistoric footprints preserved in stone. "Clayton Lake State Park lies in the NE corner of New Mexico... The main attraction is the dinosaur tracks, uncovered when topsoil was removed to build the dam," notes reviewer Judy B.
Fishing opportunities: The 170-acre reservoir at Clayton Lake attracts anglers year-round. "The lake was hopping with fish, and looked clean. Signs said there was an algae bloom so jumping in the lake was not advised," reports Stacy J. The lake appears well-stocked based on multiple visitor observations.
Wildlife observation: The area hosts diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. At Felt Picnic Area, one camper enjoyed "the experience of deer bedding next to my site." Another visitor to Clayton Lake observed, "Coyotes barked in the distance, strutting turkey's gobbled, jackrabbit's darted, fish jumped and mule deer grazed the shoreline grasses."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location offers exceptional night sky viewing. "This whole area of New Mexico has really dark skies at night with so many stars visible," writes AJ M. about Clayton Lake State Park Chicano Beach. Another visitor noted they "chatted to a fellow camper who had a large telescope with him. We got to see Jupiter and its 4 largest moons at dusk."
Quiet, secluded camping: The remoteness attracts those seeking solitude. At Thompson Grove Boondocking, "it was peaceful and quiet. Pretty neat to see the dinosaur tracks," reports one camper. Another visitor to this free camping area mentioned it was "clean and just what we needed."
Varied terrain for exploration: The landscape offers interesting geological features for exploration. At Clayton Lake, "the sandstone formations were varied and interesting…worn away by generations of rain. The rock garden is worth a scramble…very cool columns…(R4 campsite is nestled deep within them and the most highly coveted tent site)," according to Dave V.
Limited water access: Many camping areas have restricted water availability. At Felt Picnic Area, "there is a bathroom, picnic tables, grill, fire ring. It is on the fringe of the small town of Felt, OK on the Rita Blanca National Grassland," reports a reviewer, but notes there's no water fill-up.
Self-service check-in common: Several campgrounds operate with minimal staffing. At Coyote Keith's RV Park, "reserve online, no office attendant. Pull in to your spot and hook-up. Clean, level and well maintained," reports Vincent S. Another visitor notes, "we pulled in around 10 pm no attendant you slip money into the red box after you pick your spot."
Cell service reliability: Connectivity varies significantly across the region. One camper at Clayton Lake State Park warns, "you will be completely off-grid. There is no cell reception, WiFi, or cable or antenna tv." However, another visitor to Felt Picnic Area reports, "good signal ATT."
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Corral RV Park, "the park for the kids was phenomenal. There was plenty for them to do, including a basketball court, so they were able to run off some energy after being pent up in the car all day," shares Justin C.
Educational opportunities: Incorporate learning into camping trips. Clayton Lake State Park's dinosaur tracks provide an educational experience. "Mr 8 with boundless adventures scrambling in the rocks. The dinosaur tracks were also a bit hit," writes AJ M. about visiting with children.
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be dramatic. "We stayed one night on the way to Colorado and this is such a great place to camp. We had primitive site C4 which provided Mr 8 with boundless adventures scrambling in the rocks," notes a family who visited Clayton Lake, but they suggest bringing extra layers for evenings.
Level site selection: RVers emphasize the importance of finding level sites in this region. At Wild Bills RV Park, "each site is pull thru with full hook ups. The laundry is in a heated bathroom with shower," notes Beverley D. Another RV camper adds that it offers "$30 a night for a quiet RV park right off the highway."
Pull-through accessibility: Many RV sites in the area offer pull-through access for easier maneuvering. At Coyote Keith's RV Park, "all sites are 60ft pull through. Just call to let them know your coming. Pick your own spot when you get there they are all the same," advises Michael C.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal needs in advance. One visitor to Wild Bills RV Park notes the "$30 per night. Tent or RV. Power and water. Shower house" setup makes it convenient for overnight stays. Others mention that some parks have on-site dump stations while others require stops at truck stops for this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Clayton, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Clayton, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 12 campgrounds and RV parks near Clayton, NM and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Clayton, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clayton, NM is Clayton Lake State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 27 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clayton, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Clayton, NM.
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