Clayton Lake is a small, remote lake in the far northeastern corner of New Mexico with two extraordinary claims to fame: a dinosaur trackway of more than 500 fossilized footprints, and some of the darkest night skies in the country. Add good trout and warmwater fishing and a quiet state park, and this little high-plains lake punches well above its size.
This guide covers Clayton Lake: the dinosaur tracks, the dark skies, the fishing, and access. It’s part of our growing New Mexico Lakes Database.
Clayton Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~170 acres, in Clayton Lake State Park
- Location: Union County, northeast New Mexico (near Clayton)
- Famous for: 500+ dinosaur footprints and certified dark skies
- Top fish: rainbow trout (stocked), largemouth bass, channel catfish, walleye
Dinosaur tracks and dark skies
Below the dam, a layer of ancient mudstone preserves one of the best dinosaur trackways in North America – more than 500 footprints left by at least eight kinds of dinosaurs around 100 million years ago, viewable on an interpretive boardwalk. And because it’s so far from any city, Clayton Lake is a certified International Dark Sky Park, with an observatory and astronomy programs that draw stargazers to its brilliant night skies.
Fishing Clayton Lake
The lake is a pleasant mixed fishery: rainbow trout are stocked in the cooler months, and it also holds largemouth bass, channel catfish and walleye. A New Mexico fishing license is required. The lake is managed for quiet, no-wake fishing and paddling, ideal for a relaxed day on the water.
The state park
Clayton Lake State Park offers a campground, a boat ramp, the dinosaur trackway boardwalk and the observatory, in remote, peaceful high-plains country. It’s a rewarding stop combining fishing, fossils and astronomy – a genuinely unique New Mexico park.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Clayton Lake is about 12 miles north of Clayton off NM-370 in far northeastern New Mexico, near the Oklahoma and Texas lines. The Kiowa National Grassland and the Santa Fe Trail history of the region are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: a New Mexico license is required.
- Don’t miss the tracks & stars: the dinosaur trackway and dark-sky observatory are the highlights.
- Remote: bring supplies – it’s a drive from anywhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is special about Clayton Lake?
It has a dinosaur trackway of 500+ fossilized footprints below the dam, and it’s a certified Dark Sky Park with an observatory – plus trout and bass fishing.
What fish are in Clayton Lake?
Stocked rainbow trout, largemouth bass, channel catfish and walleye.
Where is Clayton Lake?
About 12 miles north of Clayton in Union County, far northeastern New Mexico, off NM-370.
Related: explore the small lakes of New Mexico, or head back to the New Mexico Lakes Database.
Explore more New Mexico lakes: the largest lakes in New Mexico and the deepest lakes in New Mexico.
