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.
$15 - $45 / night
"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."
$40 - $44 / night
"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"
"We were only here a night but a great, easy stop on our drive. Fill hook ups, very clean. It’s self serve (pay on the honor system), but met owner. Nice as hell. He’s just a phone call away."
"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."
GuideClayton Lake State Park near Clayton, New Mexico turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It is a small state park with several small camogrounds spread around the reservoir which is popular for fishing. Our campground had about a half dozen sites overlooking the lake. The opportunity to see dinasaur tracks and attend star parties make this park unique. The campground host is an amateur astronomer who regularly hosts very well-attendedstar parties. Water and electric were available at our campsite, but the park does not have a dump station.
RangerClayton 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. There is a horseshoe pit and a volleyball area along with a pavilion for group gatherings. There is a visitor center and a bathroom with two flush toilets and two shower stalls (which could use some updating).
The main attraction is the dinosaur tracks, uncovered when topsoil was removed to build the dam. That caused a lake to form and some trees that were along the banks are now visible standing in the lake. There is a boat launch area and it is for trolling motors, canoe or kayak use. It can get very windy. The lake is surrounded by a rocky cliff-like shoreline. Swallows make their nests in the clift face.
The electrical sites are terraced near the boat launch area near the dam end of the campground. The basic sites are scattered around several loops and nest in rock outcrops at the other end of the campground. The visitor center and bathroom are near the entrance.
LegendClayton Lake State Park, Clayton, NM…5200 ft elev.
Beautiful oasis nestled away in the windswept high plains of NE New Mexico. Not only for today's travelers but for yesterday's pioneers we take the Cimmaron Cutoff from the Santa Fe trail. We pitched tent at Chicano Beach site #2 (there are only two on that ridge), far away from any crowds upon a knoll overlooking a western "dog-leg" of the 170 acre reservoir. Even though the man-made Clayton lake was down from 32' to 19' depth…it was tranquil and bustling with wildlife. Coyotes barked in the distance, strutting turkey's gobbled, jackrabbit's darted, fish jumped and mule deer grazed the shoreline grasses and taking in late night and early morning drinks. Bring your binoculars to glass the shore and ridge lines. Fascinating park, 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). Highlight: The dinosaur tracks (uncovered at the spillway around 1982 after a flood) at the spillway are of particular interest. Informational signage lines the spillway and the small pavilion atop the levy. The 471 acre state park was quiet and peaceful. Mark, the park ranger, is full of great information of the area…and incredibly helpful, having spent his entire life in these parts…truly as nice a man you could meet (and the first ranger to ever return my phone message when calling for last minute availabilty). The visitor center and every other aspect of this park is spotlessly clean and meticulously maintained. The visitor center, though small, utilized every inch to bring you desired information of the park's history. New signage and informational displays were going in as we left. A heated restroom/ shower house was a wonderful creature comfort. Plenty of very new and clean pit latrines and water spigots dotted throughout the campground. If you don't want crowds avoid the fishing tournament the second weekend of June when about 900 campers descend to camp and fish…and most summer holidays. Other than that there is room….and no bad spots. I'd recommend using the online reservation portal. Tent sites are cheap($10 developed/$8 primitive)…actual too cheap, in my opinion…the state parks are nearly bankrupt, if not already so. Skeleton staffs are underpaid, yet they worked tirelessly to keep the parks to the highest standard. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/claytonlakestatepark.html
•A nearby highlight is the Capulin Volcano National Monument an hour away up Rt 87. The walk around the rim of the dormant volcano offers epic views of the surrounding high plains, Sante Fe trail and the jagged snow capped mountains to the West.
TravelerNew mexico state parks nearly all online reservations now. Funny I had no printed copy and nobody checked me. Pretty area in the middle of open prairie. Well spaced non electric sites but it can be a long walk to toilets.
GuideWe stayed here when state of New Mexico scheduled my vaccination nearby here rather than nearby my home. Otherwise, who knows when we would have discovered this place.
The sites are easily accessible, and probably best before it gets too hot.
The amazing part is the hike to the dinosaur tracks. The story of their preservation is worth the visit all by itself.
TravelerSwing by on the way to New Mexico. The surrounding area is all flat grasslands, which don’t do much for me in terms of scenery. Bit boring. However, I would much have preferred to stay here overnight instead of the WalMart I wound up at instead! There is a toilet, picnic tables, and is very quiet and easily accessible. Wouldn’t make a trip to stay here, but would definitely use as a stopover.
ScoutThere are very few developed sites for RV campers, but there are plenty of primitive sites. The restrooms and showers are dated, but the do everything that you need. The dinosaur tracks are a true bonus and the information that they have posted with the tracks are very informative. The park ranger and camp host are great and most of all, you can’t beat the New Mexico State park prices.
GuideWe 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. The dinosaur tracks were also a bit hit.
Showers & toilets were clean albeit a bit dated.
The lake is a big attraction and we also chatted to a fellow camper who had a large telescope with him. We got to see Jupiter and it’s 4 largest moons at dusk. This whole area of New Mexico has really dark skies at night with so many stars visible
GuideVan Camper perspective: Extra cool campsites with many in lightly wooded areas or tucked within boulders, or lakeside. Group sites available also. Adequate spacing between sites in most areas, some sites are secluded. Very clean area, the host picks up trash daily and even washes area around the covered tables. Lake was a bit low, saw two bald eagles, lots of beautiful wild flowers in June. Interesting dinosaur tracks at spillway that were exposed after a flood removed a layer of dirt from the spillway, it’s half mile round trip hike. Clean toilets.
Horse camping in New Mexico offers a unique experience for equestrian enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities that cater to both riders and their horses.
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clayton, NM is Clayton Lake State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
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