Best Equestrian Camping near Kenton, OK

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.

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.

Love this park! It's all smiles for us ...so much 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 that passes through, not so brothersome as far as noise, the motorcycles zooming by is just a faint sound in the wind... Breathtaking sunsets, rainstorms fun to watch in the wide open space, 40 +acres to walk around and enjoy...daily we see folks out on the tracker, in the distance, farm homes with farm animals ...My pups on thier walk... enjoy exploring flowers growing "out of the rocks" sniffing the bushes, chasing tumble weeds, birds and butterflies.... Watching a Jack rabbit run past our campspot... Here comes the hail storm that was somewhat freakish, but afterwards a beautiful rainbow... No laundry No amenities if you plan to stay keep in mind by mid-afternoon folks start coming in to set up, most are overnighters! ...it's self check in with money in a box or by a phone call to pay with a card...owners in and out just a text, email , or phone call away Security lights great, but not so great for star gazing.

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. 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.