Best Glamping near Clayton, NM

Black 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.

As Oklahoma's highest point of elevation, Black Mesa is a bucket list destination for any Okie. Well maintained campgrounds, restrooms, and amenities. Very little light pollution, so the starscapes are always beautiful. 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. Near the trail head is also 3-corners, and fossilized dinosaur footprints. Definitely worth a visit.

I came here with my cousins and definitely underestimated the heat. I would have brought a tarp shelter because the sun is brutal and kept beating down. I recommend bringing frozen water instead of just water because the water does become warm after a while and is hard to drink. The campsites here are first come first serve. There is hikes but not much to see as the ground is mostly flat. T Here are some plants here that you cant see anywhere else.

Rolling 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.

Nice, quiet campground with good facilities! Short drive to the actual trailhead of the highest point in Oklahoma. Also, dinosaur tracks! I had zero cell service in the area, which was fantastic, but be sure to plan for it! Plan for heat and take plenty of water if you go on the High Point hike.

Well maintained sites. Helpful staff. Spaces limited

Hot showers, easy access to the Mesa.

In the middle of no where, so bring all you need. Boring drive in to the park. Bathrooms were not very clean

This is the best and just about the only camping area if you want to visit the Black Mesa Preserve, which somewhere around 15-30 minutes away by car. There are many tent and RV sites in the creek area, and there is a bathroom here, though it feels like a high school locker room, wasn't very clean, and didn't have soap (during the coronavirus pandemic, so this was a little upsetting). There are tent sites in the lake area, which is a short drive from the main camping area. 

There was a camp host there to guide us, and she was very friendly and helpful. 

Thankfully, this site now doesn't turn on its street lights, so you can see the stars in all their glory! This is the darkest skies in the continental US, so I was so happy to hear they've finally shut off their street lights. View of the Milky Way is stunning from here.

The creek was dried up when we were here. But we saw a fox, a couple deer, rabbits, and many bird species.

YOU MUST go visit the Preserve. The scenery is gorgeous, and you can find dinosaur track fossils, and ancient native peoples rock carvings, if you know where to look. Also check out the tri-state marker, and continue maybe 100 yards beyond it to see an older original marker. Bring loads of sunscreen and look out for snakes.

This is a small park but has some really nice views. This is a great place to stop for a day or two as you are traveling. There is a place to see dinosaur tracks and also 3 corners (Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma). Highest point in Oklahoma, but you wouldn’t know it. When you get on top of the flats you can see for a ways! Watch for snakes on the trails but worth the early morning or late evening hike.

I loved the hiking trails and the nature walks. It is out in the middle of no where but nice.

Like 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.

First 2.5 miles of the hike are fairly easy with the last 1.5 mile going uphill with lose rocks/boulders. Campsites are a little too close together.

Petroglyphs, dinosaur tracks, incredible wildlife, and of course the awe-inspiring night sky. Plan your trip during a new moon for best results.

Campground has showers, flush toilets, private tent sites, and a nice swimming spot.

A little hard to navigate but be sure to bring the high clearance vehicle and you’ll be fine.

This was an amazing camping trip! Very spotty cellphone service (which is good!) except when there is severe weather. Prepare for anything! The hike up to black Mesa was relatively easy and well marked. Want to return soon!

The night sky was very dark and starry. Other campers had telescopes and were very friendly. It appeared under staffed, and the one ranger there looked very tired (possibly alil over worked). Showers were outdated and had like warm to cold water, but I was still very grateful! Had "0" Verizon cell service, and that was Awesome!

For 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.

We 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.

This small campground is a special experience. Driving to this off the beaten path site is a worthwhile adventure. If you are thinking about exploring through the area make this a stop. The well tended facilities, cleanliness, and quiet all made for a perfect experiences.

Facilities are in need of TLC. Sewer system was broken. Inside of Ranger Station looked like a mess with lounge chair and coffee pot, personal items, and live reptiles on display that are not native to the area. Maintenance guy was our only contact with park staff, and he was so tired he initially snapped at me, then apologized profusely. He entered us into the computer so we could register a site which is the only way to get one. Next morning the electricity went out and with it the water pump. We left in a hurry. The natural part of the park is great, although I am concerned about the lack of bird species at this migratory time.

We stopped at Black Mesa State Park so that my husband could get some nighttime pics and see the dinosaur tracks. We met wonderful folks in the camp and had a great time. Will visit again. The Park Ranger was very helpful in giving directions to the dinosaur tracks.

This 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.

Camped at the west canyon tent area and it was great. I was the only one there and the stars were beautiful

One of the quietest campgrounds I’ve been to. People keep the light down to a minimum which makes for a very peaceful evening

Small little park but if you’re looking to completely check out and chill, this is it. There’s a cute little river with swim bitch, nice private shower, and beautiful spacious sites. Every day we saw deer and wild turkey. There’s a nice lake, hiking, and dinosaur tracks. RV sites have 30amp and water. Most hookups are on the passenger side, so make sure your hose and cable are long enough.

Only 4 campers here. Very nice

Only stayed one night. The whole place was booked mainly tween boyscouts and they were obnoxious but did settle at quite hours. We got up stupid early to leave before they woke up.