Best Equestrian Camping near Grenville, NM

New 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.

We 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.

There 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.

Clayton 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.

After a long drive from south Texas, this was my first visit to Sugarite Canyon and it definitely exceeded my expectations! The staff was friendly and helpful and the amenities were accommodating. The area is absolutely beautiful. This little park has something for everyone. Highland trails, lakes and streams, primitive and car-camping sites. Plenty of wildlife to see, birds and other critters everywhere. And of course the vistas. I will definitely be back there soon. Thanks, New Mexico!

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. 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

We've lived in New Mexico (Alamogordo and Albuquerque) for 30+ years, but had never made it up north to Sugarite Canyon State Park. But on our RV trip back home from Rocky Mountain National Park, we decided to spend a night here rather in the small town of Raton(eight miles away). It's a lovely park, with some steep walls, small lakes and an interesting history. We took a few of the smaller hikes(time was limited) and the one of the Coal Camp was very interesting.

Our 29ft RV barely fit in our site, and there were some tricky branches and overhanging trees to work around. The site was fairly narrow, but I will say we were spread out nicely between the sites. We were at a site with electric(30 amp only) and water(water pressure very low, due to a lower aquafer). The dump station was nearby, but no water available by it for flushing out the tank.

Camp hosts were super friendly. It was a very easy going place. Most of the sites are pretty small, and our"small" Class A was the biggest rig there, except for the hosts' 40' RV. So if you've got a bigger rig, you might have trouble finding a site to accommodate. But for smaller RVs, I think this is a great place to stay. VERY dark and quiet at night!! A lovely and reasonably priced spot that I can easily see spending a long weekend at.

(OH, there is NO wifi and no cell signal. Be prepared to be off-grid completely! You're at least 5 miles from a signal.)

Sugarite Canyon is a Sweet Park to visit!

Campground Review:

Located in NW Raton, New Mexico... Sugarite Canyon State Park ( http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/spd/sugaritecanyonstatepark.html ) borders the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains.

During this two month camping and hiking roadtrip, I chose campgrounds purely based on our traveling trajectory...which landed us in Raton, New Mexico at Sugarite Canyon State Park.

The Sugarite Canyon State Park (pronounced "Sugareet") was easy to locate off I-25 in Raton, (72 to 526 six miles NE straight into the park) just a few miles south of the Colorado border. The only campground area open during our mid April visit was the Lake Alice Campground, roughly 6,664 ft. elevation.

The Lake Alice Campground was perched along 526 inside the state park. Being early spring at elevation, the bare trees and bushes were barely budding, so the other three tent sites were fairly visible (four total tent sites), but nicely spaced out. Water (which, at that time, needed to be filtered or boiled by posted warning) and vault toilets were a 40 yard walk from the tent sites. The shower house was located a short drive down 526 across from the Ranger headquarters...and it had electric, modern plumbing and hot showers (however, check with hours of operation).

Gravel tent pads were raised the height of a 8-10" timber box...and roughly 7'x10' in dimension. Each tent site had a picnic table (which could be moved), a stationary and elevated metal food container, and a fire pit/grill on a cement pad. Because of the tight spaces, I felt the fire pit was located too close to the tent pad for my liking...though the wind blew favorably during our visit, keeping embers off the rainfly.

Lake Alice is a small 3 acre reservoir along the Chicorica Creek that spills from the larger Lake Maloya (120 acres). Fishing and hiking (13 miles within the park) are extremely popular in this state park, drawing daily crowds as well as an annual fishing contest. I was advised around 100,000 visit during each summer. Neighboring Colorado State Wildlife Areas, Lake Dorothey SWA (10 acre lake) and James M. John SWA are a stones throw down the gravel road, offering extended hiking and fishing.

Hiking trails from the Ranger Headquarters offer a history lesson with the remnants of the 1920's coal mining town that prospered in this canyon. Purpose to spend some time in the Ranger headquarters perusing the small dioramas depicting life in Sugarite Canyon during the turn of the 1900's. Rangers Scott and Bob were knowledgeable, helpful and knew the history thoroughly. Artifacts and photos in the Ranger Headquarters offer a tremendous pictorial history of the people and events of that era. A few original stone buildings remain intact and usable...the Post Office, which now houses the Ranger Headquarters and the Mule Barn, now the maintenance facility. Self-guided placqards line a walkway surrounding the Ranger Headquarters.

Trails vary from worn singletrack to wide service roads. Be aware of your surroundings for the wildlife that inhabits this area. Gobblers cackled on and off 24 hours, and the beautiful Towhee mountain bluebird flitted around our campsite providing a photo op.

The rushing Chicorica Creek, across the roadway, offered soothing whitenoise to the Alice Campground. There is also tent overflow on the creekside, across from Alice Campground, but no real definable sites...pretty much pitch 'em where you can.

A fire ripped through this area in 2011 with the effects still visible but plenty of lush vegetation growing up.

A hike around Lake Maloya is possible, offering great views of both the alluring waters and towering mountains. The higher elevation Soda Pocket Campground was closed during our visit. The Ponderosa Ridge/Opportunity Trail begins at the Lake Maloya spillway and offers great views (6 mile). The Little Horse Mesa Trail is a two mile roundtrip but climbs to the highest point in the park, flat and giving long mountain views. Snow was still heavy on the peaks. Elevation ranges from near 7,000 ft above 9,000 ft. with a variation of flat-top mesas to sharp peaks and lava flows.

Sugarite Canyon State Park offers numerous activities throughout the year to draw the avid outdoorsperson. Cross country skiing, rock climbing, hunting, fishing, boating (human and electric power only), hiking and picnicing.

We made the short trek over the Colorado border to Lake Dorothey and walked those trails. I read there is an annual butterfly festival there in the adjacent meadow, and one year yielded a one day count of 637 buterflies of 38 species.

Tent camping is $10 a night, in addition to a $5 park vehicle fee. Note: I would give five stars to the Sugarite Canyon State Park overall...but I dinged them one star in this review because of the Lake Alice Campground proximity to the roadway and limited amount of dedicated tent sites. Though, it won't dissaude me from coming back.

**Nearby National Park System Capulin Volcano is a must visit. Like a lone sentinal it towers alone in the high plains. We were fortunate enough to get a visit on one of the sixteen free days each year. Driving the switchbacks and circling the mountain to the parking lot just short of the peak was breathtaking. Without guardrails it is not for the faint of heart. A paved one mile walkway circles the rim of the volcano mouth...and another trail travels down into the mouth. There are pit latrines at the south end of the upper parking lot.

Gear Review: Leatherman WAVE Multi-tool

As a Dyrt Ranger gear tester, I was offered an opportunity to test the latest version of the Leatherman WAVE Multi-tool ( http://www.leatherman.com/wave-10.html ). I have used an original Leatherman folding multi-tool on my dutyrig since 1991. Before getting in too deep on the WAVE review...the Original mult-tool has undergone rigorous daily use for nearly three decades and it still looks and functions like new...so I was anxious to try the latest version of the WAVE and see if that level of quality still remains. Much has changed since the Original version...which is to be expected...and there are improvements from my son's well used military issue Leatherman WAVE.

Having the option, I chose the matte black over the brushed stainless finish...for subdued tactical reasons and anticipated crossover usage. I have attached a photo of all three of the Leatherman tools mentioned above for a visual comparison.

I had ample opportunity to use the function of each of the tools represented during my testing.

Pros

• Razor sharp knife blades
• Positive/Secure Liner-lock function
• Tight tolerances
• Reversable/Interchangeable driver bits
• Durable finish
• Great Customer Service and Warranty

Cons

• Brushed Stainless easier to clean than Matte Black finish
• Interchangeable driver bits (more to store/lose, etc)

The flat blade, while not a filet knife specifically, worked effectively on Rainbows and Browns. The saw blade made short work of saplings for gigs, tarp poles, and roasting sticks (disclaimer: no live trees were harmed in the testing of this tool). The scissors made intricate work easier and safer when my waistband button jettisoned off my Mountain Khakis (I guess too many trout, beans and s'mores)...for hasty handsewing with braided fishing line without removing said trousers.

I liked the reversable function of the removable driver bits, allowing the selection of the right size tool for the job. Enjoying the reversable function of the driver bits also brings with it a disdain for adding or keeping track of additional driver bits...not a fan of that. I also welcomed the web case and snapping that will permit attachment to any backpack, belt or Molle gear. My old leather case, though still fully usable...is extremely limited to a belt, unless jury-rigged.

As a sidenote: I have owned and used other brand multi-tools. Big box mult-tools have regularly failed and in my opinion not worth removing the wrapper. Popular named mult-tools have similar features, but use a "polymer" slide locking mechanism that I have had break or pop off, resulting in blades and tools that move and have no dependable rigidity (ie. sharp knife blade closing on gripping fingers...not good).

Overall, I believe the Leatherman WAVE mult-tool is a fantastic addition to both my tactical and outdoor adventures...and trust it will fulfill my expectations of longevity and durability as the Original.

Clayton 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.

We were driving through to Oklahoma City from Carson National Forest and decided to pitstop here along the way. This was a really wonderful park with very nice amenities. The bathrooms and showers were clean, the ranger was kind and accommodating, and the campsites were well manicured. The lake was beautiful and clear. I would absolutely recommend this park, and look forward to returning.

We were passing through on our way to Colorado from NC and found this place. It was a beautiful drive to get there. The showers were clean and the campsites were also. I think most sites have concrete slabs with a roof to pitch your tent. Heard coyotes at night, saw deer and rabbits. The lake was hopping with fish, and looked clean. Signs said there was an algae bloom so jumping in the lake was not advised.

A one day stop for us. Sites are nice and all pretty close to a man made lake. Stocked with fish and a really amazing set of dinosaur tracks you can hike to. Facilities are a little dated. Bathroom could use an overhaul but it’s not a very big or busy campground.

Great spot to camp en route on your road trip. Pretty sunsets and scenery. Basic. Looked like probably good fishing. Not sure about hiking and we didn’t visit the dinosaur tracks unfortunately.

Only stayed one night, passing through. A lot of spots for day use, with great views of lake. Dinosaur tracks a total bonus. Worth the stop. Fun finding this marker. (photo)

First off, you will be completely off-grid. There is no cell reception, WiFi, or cable or antenna tv. There is also no dump station or fill station, so plan on making a stop at the loves truck stop. Limited electric/water hookup sites so be sure to reserve ahead of time. No fires allowed and boat ramp is closed. It was peaceful and quiet. Pretty neat to see the dinosaur tracks!

Van 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.

Wow! What a beautiful campsite! Wish we could have stayed for more than one night. Perfect for star gazing because you’re out in the middle of nowhere, and the dinosaur tracks were too cool for words! Above all, I can’t say enough great things about the staff. They spent a good 1 1/2 hours to get us out of a “sticky” situation with our RV. They didn’t have to, but they did, and it almost seemed like they wanted to! Great people!

Depressed coming down from the majestic mountains, this is a wonderful oasis gem of a campground to ease the step off into the sea of grasslands and farms that are the plains. Invisible from the surface, you drop down from the plain into a little oasis of a lake, surrounded by pocketed bushy shrubs and campsites all with covered picnic areas and views of the oasis. There’s also dinosaur foot prints which, we’re legit.

You get off a major highway and then take 10 miles of bad road to the entrance. Then, you have to find your spot.

We stayed in P2. The view of the lake is amazing. Birds everywhere! The sites are not level in this area, but the pavilions are darn nice!

Screaming fast ATT 5G, nothing for Sprint.

I stayed one night and I was glad to leave the next day. It wasn’t a bad park, just not overly enjoyable. My site had a great view of the lake, which was by far the best part; the sunset was stunning! There is little privacy between most sites, but luckily my spot only had a neighbor on one side and trees/shrubs on the other. I also wonder how well they regulate how many people/vehicles are allowed per site, as I saw at least 6 different people next to me with two trucks, a motorcycle, a camper, and a tent; they’re smaller sites so they were usually within a few feet of my camper. I had decent AT&T service and the bathrooms (by the guest center, if you miss them on the way in like I did) were older but acceptably clean. You can fish and kayak/boat on the lake and the dinosaur tracks looked interesting, but I didn’t have time to visit them and it was beastly hot. My biggest callouts are that the 10 mile road the to the park is in horrible condition and has a lot of 90 degree turns and the park itself is not very handicap friendly as it’s poorly paved/rocky/uneven. It was good for a night but I would not return.

First, the 10-mile road to this park is fine.  After reading the one review calling the road horrible, we were braced for the worst, but it turned out to be completely fine, not so much as a pothole.  So disregard that.

Second, this park is actually a hidden gem.  It's quite large, with multiple camping sites spread down one side of the lake.  The one location for electrical sites is a bit tightly packed, with not much space between sites, but if you're tent camping or boondocking there is plenty of room in this park at other camping locations to spread out.  And when we stayed mid-week there were only a couple of other trailers in the electrical section, so we didn't feel too crowded ourselves.  The lake is pretty with what seems to be good fishing judging by how many locals were there casting lines in the water.  The sunset views are beautiful, and the night sky is absolutely superb.  We had an amazing view of the total lunar eclipse the night we stayed here in May 2022.

The real attraction of this park, however, is the dinosaur tracks, which are some of the best in the *world*.  It's crazy that they're out here in the middle of nowhere, but if you make the short hike to see them you will be amazed.  The story of how they were discovered, by accident during the construction of the dam for this lake, is equally amazing.  Great park for kids, and great destination if you're traveling along 87 and weighing where to stay between Amarillo and Raton.

Beautiful area right in the middle of what seems like nothing but prairie. A canyon opens and there is the lake. Various sites, electric were all accounted for. There were plenty of picnic table/shelter primitive spots. Beautiful scenery. Good trails for hiking. Friendly host.

Everything was very green in the 10 mile trek into the park. Our spot was in the Cove campground - noon-a and no water. We have enough solar power to sustain. The lake was gorgeous and the dinosaur footprints and tracks were really interesting! The spots are not right on top of each other - so very nice. They have potable water at the visitors center. There were candies with water and electric - we were too late to book.

Quiet, clean and has warm water showers

We had a great 3-night stay here! Fun trails, amazing views, cell service, showers, and lots of sites to choose from.