Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Open 24 hours
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- emnrd.nm.gov(575) 374-8808
Official page last checked Oct 30, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 3
Water quality Closure: Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway has closed access to the boat ramp and is pr…Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway has closed access to the boat ramp and is prohibiting the use of motorized boats due to declining water… (more)
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway has closed access to the boat ramp and is prohibiting the use of motorized boats due to declining water levels and related safety concerns. The lake remains open for non-motorized vessels, including canoes and kayaks. Motorized boat access will be restored once water levels improve and conditions allow for safe use of the boat ramp.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Construction Closure: Due to ongoing construction to replace vault toilets at Clayton Lake State Park & Dinosaur…Due to ongoing construction to replace vault toilets at Clayton Lake State Park & Dinosaur Trackways, the vault toilet facilities located at the… (more)
Due to ongoing construction to replace vault toilets at Clayton Lake State Park & Dinosaur Trackways, the vault toilet facilities located at the dinosaur parking lot, Camp Cove, the South Loop, and the Rock Gardens will be closed. The comfort station, as well as the double vault toilets at North Point and along the Nature Trail, will remain open for visitor use. Please exercise caution and be aware of construction activity while visiting the park.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Water quality Announcement: Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway has closed access to the boat ramp and is pr…Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway has closed access to the boat ramp and is prohibiting the use of motorized boats due to declining water… (more)
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackway has closed access to the boat ramp and is prohibiting the use of motorized boats due to declining water levels and related safety concerns. The lake remains open for non-motorized vessels, including canoes and kayaks. Motorized boat access will be restored once water levels improve and conditions allow for safe use of the boat ramp.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways is a park in Union County, about 2 miles west of Clayton.
Visitors come for historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, hunting in season, boating, and fishing. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with RV sites with electric hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Open 24 hours | ||
| Other — Visitors Center | Daily | 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open 24/7
Visitors Center: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Source: official park page, checked Oct 30, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, statewide flat rates with resident/non-resident pricing (since Jan 1, 2025): NM resident day-use $5 (residents exempt Oct 1 – Apr 30), non-resident $10; walk-in/bicycle no charge. Camping per night: primitive $10 resident / $15 non-resident; developed $15 / $20; utility fees water $5, electric $10, sewer $5. Federal passes not accepted.
Statewide fee rule from New Mexico's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
New Mexico park passes
- Annual Day-Use Pass/Permit (ADU) — New Mexico resident — $75. Day-use entry, calendar year (expires Dec 31) Details
- Annual Day-Use Pass/Permit (ADU) — non-resident — $150. Day-use entry, calendar year Details
- Annual Camping Permit (ACP) — New Mexico resident — $300. Camping (resident only; proof of NM ID and plate) Details
- Lifetime Veterans pass (NM veteran with 50%+ disability) — No charge Details
From the New Mexico state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-877-664-7787
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Harmful algae blooms, or HABs, occur when certain types of algae grow excessively in water, posing potential health risks to people and animals. These blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. • Do not bring dogs or other animals to the lake or hiking areas along the shoreline. For animal illness, call 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Things to do
BoatingCanoeing and kayakingCampingFishingPicnickingHikingWildlife viewing and birdingHuntingHistoric sites and tours
Boating and paddling
Boating Facilities: Boat Ramp; Campground Facilities; 5 Campgrounds; 26 Developed Campsites; 7 Sites with Water; 9 W+ E Sites (30 amp); Group Campsites; Restrooms; Restrooms with water; Showers; Vault Toilets; Group Facilities; 2 Group Picnic Shelter; Group Camping; Pre-Historic Site: Dinosaur Tracks; Visitor Center; Exhibits; Observatory
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Visitor center
- Nature center or museum
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- Electric hookups
- Group camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 141 Clayton Lake Road
Clayton, NM 88415 - Nearest town
- Clayton — about 2 mi west (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 36.4582, -103.1879
- Phone
- (575) 374-8808
- Mark.Funk@emnrd.nm.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- New Mexico State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 30, 2026; page says updated Jul 31, 2026
- WordPress REST API: child pages of the official 'Find a Park' page (35 pages), plus coordinates from that page's map pins
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology