Clayton Lake State Park, State park and dark sky observation site in Union County, New Mexico.
Clayton Lake State Park is a recreation area centered on a large freshwater reservoir surrounded by grasslands in northeastern New Mexico at an elevation of 5,186 feet (1,580 meters). The park features camping areas, picnic grounds, and water access for swimming and fishing throughout the year.
The park was established in 1965 and gained wider attention when workers uncovered dinosaur tracks during dam construction in the 1980s. These discoveries revealed that the area was once crossed by large reptiles from the Cretaceous period.
The observatory here lets visitors study constellations and celestial bodies in one of the darkest locations in New Mexico. Programs are designed so people can observe the night sky without light pollution interfering with their view.
The park offers 26 developed campsites with electrical hookups, modern restrooms, and showers for overnight stays and day visits. The facilities and gentle terrain make the area accessible for most visitors.
The exposed bedrock near the spillway shows over 500 fossilized dinosaur footprints from the Cretaceous period. These tracks remain visible to visitors walking along the site and tell the story of ancient life in this area.
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