Searching for the best camping near Clayton, NM? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Clayton campgrounds just for you. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Clayton camping trip.
"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.""We ultimately chose #13, near the office/WiFi. Everyone enjoyed that! (No cell service though to let family know we arrived safely.) Water and electric was on the opposite side."
"Staff was very friendly and accommodating when we arrived.
Facilities are out dates. Playground leaves much to be desired."
"Just passing thru on trip to Nebraska. arrived early evening, the parking area is really well kept and the gravel parts are 95% level, we didn't need to do any additional leveling."
GuideBlack Mesa State Park in the panhandle of Oklahoma. 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. We stayed in a tent but also had a trailer that we carried everything in so we were able to stay in a RV spot. We went in the summer and it was not crowded at all. Most others stayed a night or two, but we stayed 4 or 5 days. By the weekend more people were coming in. There was electric and water at our site but I don’t remember if they had sewage hookups as we didn’t use that. There are restrooms on site. The showers could have used a real good scrubbing but were usable. The park ranger maintained the grounds well. The views are gorgeous and if you get up during the night to see them, the stars you can see out there are amazing!! There are some trails to hike around the camp and even some fossilized wood. There is a lake right there too and at least one lookout spot over it which was perfect at sunset.
We hiked Black Mesa and took a trip into New Mexico to see Mount Capulin Volcano.
The park was peaceful and beautiful. Not a lot of shade trees but there were some areas in the campground that had some.
A great experience. We definitely want to go back.
GuideFor nostalgia, we decided to stay at Black Mesa…just as we did 30 years ago. We had such a delightful (tent) camping experience in 1991 that we wanted to take our family back in our RV. The ranger checked us in and narrowed down the list of RV sites to choose from. We ultimately chose #13, near the office/WiFi. Everyone enjoyed that! (No cell service though to let family know we arrived safely.) Water and electric was on the opposite side. Kind of weird; but we made it work as our power was long enough to reach. Bath house (womens) had 2 restroom stalls and 2 separate bath stalls with curtains, hook and a small metal table. (1 was handicap accessible with ramp and shower hose.) Water was warm. Tile was rust stained, from well water, I suppose. Needed to be cleaned a bit; but was not terrible. (Didn’t smell and had plenty of tp.) Cool tree growing inside a giant rock. Picnic bench placed in between where rock had split. (near bath house) Overall, nice stay even though we didn’t stay long enough for activities.
ScoutThis secluded park is seated right on the start of a semi-arid climate. Shortly before arrival from the east the grass turns golden and and you begin to see varieties of cactus and yucca. Upon entering the park we were greeted by a small herd of pronghorn deer bouncing along the road. We also ran into a herd of mule deer in the park that were quite accustomed to people, they let me get within 10 yards of them before the bolted. The park has all the amenities you’d expect of a state park; showers, toilets, and established camp sites with fire rings, grills and picnic tables. However the seclusion was not expected. The nearest town where you can get supplies and gas is Boise 36 miles east of the park. The park is situated around a small lake which is partially surrounded by small limestone cliffs. There are a few trails to hike varying in length and difficulty from a stroll in nature to a bit of exercise, nothing to extreme though. After heading west out of the park to Black Mesa itself the geography changes rapidly from small limestone formations and boulders to large sandstone canyons out of a Wild West movie where outlaws would be hiding and mountain lions would be (and still are) stalking their prey. The beginning of the trail up the Mesa has a small parking lot and is a 4 hour hike to the top. The area is popular for the star gazing unfortunately it was overcast the nights we were there but the scenery and wildlife was beautiful enough to make up for the lack of stars. All in all it was great and highly recommended for families and those looking for a secluded far from civilization camping experience but still wanting the amenities of a maintained park.
GuideCottonwood trees surround the RV pad sites. Walk along the river trail is filled with more bird varieties. Camp Host is very friendly and pet friendly. The store she runs is well stocked.
TravelerWe chose to stay at Black Mesa on our way back from a week in Colorado, when we were about 30 miles from the park we started to wonder what we got into. The landscape driving up to the park is like desert. To our surprise we pulled into a little oasis in the middle of big country. It is parks like this one that makes me so happy to be RV’ing. On our way back to Colorado next year we will stay here for a week and enjoy this awesome place. If you want to be off the grid, this is the place to come.
RangerRolling hills and cliffs, mostly shrubs. Nice easy hiking trails and lots of wildlife, perfect place for all the dino-loving kiddos in your life. Was pretty empty when we were here in May, it’s isolated in a great way. Lovely sunsets. Pretty windy, make sure you have a decent tent (not a $30 dome tent). State park so the facilities were basic and pretty clean like I expected.
LegendLike some other reviews have said, the state park isn't at Black Mesa...just near it.
The area itself has plenty of cool things - Black Mesa, wonderful changing views, dinosaur tracks, petrified forest. Some of those things are at the state park, others are "nearish".
The campground itself - well, when I showed up I wasn't very impressed. Facilities are outdated and not well cared for. I don't blame the people working there. Probably just a funding thing, especially being so far from the population and capitol of Oklahoma. It's a shame because a lot of people pass through this corner and it might be their only impression of Oklahoma.
But friendly neighbors, great evening weather and some nice star watching despite thin clouds made me warm up to the place.
Some spots are have big nice shade trees, but with all the star watching you might actually want a spot without trees.
No Verizon service but AT&T was strong enough to FaceTime with.
Next time I come back to the area - and I hope to - I will check out camping options at some of the nearby bed and breakfasts. Would love to see the state invest a little in this camp. I don't think it would take much.
TravelerStayed in September, lots of goat head stickers. So those with pets be aware. Great campsites, bathrooms really nice (we rooftop tent camp). We stayed in the no lights area. Such an amazing view of the stars! We were lucky with a clear night. It’s a don’t miss if you are passing through!
ScoutLevel lots, easy to find and plenty of space. Staff was very friendly and accommodating when we arrived.
Facilities are out dates. Playground leaves much to be desired. Dog walk is literally a strip of grass in the back by the road where a dog can walk I guess, honestly not really sure. WiFi might be the slowest I have ever experienced.
As I mentioned though, everything is clean, and a good place to stay the night.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Clayton, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Clayton, NM is Black Mesa State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 37 reviews.
Keep Exploring
