Clayton Lake State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clayton Lake State Park |
|
|---|---|
Dinosaur footprint from the fossil trackway at Clayton Lake State Park
|
|
 Clayton Lake State Park
Location in New Mexico
|
|
| Location | Union, New Mexico, United States |
| Area | 471 acres (191 ha) |
| Elevation | 5,040 ft (1,540 m) |
| Established | 1965 |
| Governing body | New Mexico State Parks Division |
Clayton Lake State Park is a cool place in New Mexico, United States. It has a big lake and an amazing collection of dinosaur footprints! The park is about 15 miles (24 km) north of Clayton. It's also close to the borders of Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas.
You can get to the park using New Mexico State Road 455. The area has rolling grasslands, volcanic rocks, and sandstone cliffs. It sits on the western edge of the Great Plains. Long ago, this spot was a stop for travelers on the Cimarron Cutoff of the Santa Fe Trail.
Contents
Welcome to Clayton Lake State Park!
Clayton Lake State Park offers lots of fun things to do. You can go picnicking, camping, and fishing. But the most exciting part might be seeing one of the biggest collections of dinosaur footprints in North America!
The lake itself was made in 1955 by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. It was created for fishing and as a resting spot for waterfowl (birds like ducks and geese) in winter.
Discovering Dinosaur Footprints
Imagine walking where dinosaurs once roamed! At Clayton Lake State Park, you can see real dinosaur footprints. These tracks are pressed into the rock near the lake.
You can find them on the dam's spillway. A gentle 0.25-mile (0.40 km) trail leads right to them. The best times to see the footprints are in the morning or late afternoon. That's when the light makes them stand out the most. There's even a covered area (a gazebo) and a boardwalk trail. These spots give you lots of information about the dinosaurs that made these tracks.
Fun on the Water: Fishing and Boating
Clayton Lake is a popular spot for fishing. A dam was built across Seneca Creek to create the lake. Seneca Creek is usually just a few small streams, except after heavy rains.
The fishing season usually runs from March to October. Anglers (people who fish) love to catch trout, catfish, bass, and walleye here. You can use boats on the lake, but you must go slowly. This is called "trolling speed." The lake is closed for fishing during the winter. This allows it to be a quiet resting place for many different kinds of waterfowl.
Camping and Exploring the Park
If you love the outdoors, Clayton Lake State Park is a great place to visit. You can enjoy a picnic with your family or friends. The park also has places for camping. There's a group shelter for larger gatherings and a modern comfort station (restrooms).
The park's landscape is beautiful. You'll see rolling grasslands, interesting volcanic rocks, and tall sandstone cliffs. It's a perfect place to explore nature and enjoy the quiet.
Stargazing at a Dark Sky Park
In 2010, something special happened at Clayton Lake State Park. It was named a "Dark Sky Park" by the International Dark-Sky Association. This means the park has very little light pollution. Light pollution is when city lights make it hard to see the stars.
Because it's a Dark Sky Park, Clayton Lake is an amazing place to look at the night sky. You can see countless stars, planets, and even the Milky Way galaxy! It's a fantastic spot for anyone interested in astronomy or just enjoying a clear, starry night.
