Clayton Lake State Park

Clayton Lake State Park is a New Mexico state park near the town of Clayton, known for a small reservoir and an exposed dinosaur trackway. The site combines outdoor recreation with paleontological interest.

The park offers fishing and boating on the reservoir, camping and picnic facilities. A short interpretive trail leads to a rock slab in the shoreline where dinosaur footprints are preserved and presented with signage; the prints are most easily seen when water levels are low.

The park was established to provide public recreation and to conserve the fossil-bearing shoreline where the tracks occur.

Situated near Clayton in northeastern New Mexico, the park lies on the High Plains close to the New Mexico border with Oklahoma and Texas.

• Track viewing tip: The dinosaur footprints are best viewed when reservoir levels drop, so check local conditions before visiting.
• Visitor facilities: Facilities include a boat ramp and maintained campsites, making the park useful for fishing and overnight stays.

What to See #

• Dinosaur trackway: Exposed dinosaur footprints preserved in shoreline rock that are accessible by a short interpretive trail; tracks are most visible when reservoir water levels are low.
• Reservoir and boat launch: A freshwater reservoir used for fishing and boating, with a boat ramp and shoreline access for anglers.
• Campground and day-use areas: Campground and picnic areas that provide basic overnight facilities for visitors and anglers.