While learning about ancient artifacts and seeing pictures is always cool, Clayton Lake State Park in New Mexico is also one of the United States coolest fossil parks. If you’ve ever wanted to go fossil hunting in New Mexico, you’ll love following the dinosaur trackways at Clayton Lake. Here you can walk through the same landscape that dinosaurs roamed, and even see remnants of footprints and other evidence that they left behind. Unbeknownst to many, it’s one of the best places to find dinosaur fossils in New Mexico, and there are boardwalks throughout that take you through the archeological wonders right before your eyes. Jump on the Dinosaur Trail at Clayton Lake State Park and get ready to experience a piece of the prehistoric past at this one-of-a-kind fossil park.

Welcome to Clayton Lake State Park, one of the most unique places in New Mexico! Just northwest of Clayton, right near the border that's shared with Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, you'll find this incredible state park that's also home to some of the most amazing fossils.
roawr123/TripAdvisor
While the fossils are reason enough to visit this vast park, Clayton Lake State Park is also an amazing place to fish, camp, or picnic upon the rolling grasslands. But it's the very oasis-like nature of this park that once drew a different kind of crowd... of the prehistoric sort.
Tina Wilson/AllTrails
You wouldn't know it from first glance. Step foot into the park and you'll be instantly surrounded by lush, green vegetation, vibrant scenery, and some of the most refreshing sights in the state.
Ophir Bear/GoogleReviews
As such, one of the main draws of this park is the dinosaur trackway. Here you'll find over 500 dinosaur fossils, making it not only one of the most comprehensive places to find fossils in New Mexico but one of the most extensive dinosaur trackways on our continent.
Kristopher Lawrence/AllTrails
The walk to the fossils is lined with railed boardwalks, making this the perfect activity for anyone and everyone. This way you can get up close and personal with preserved history from millions and millions of years ago.
Peter Duschke/AllTrails
While these fossil footprints were left approximately 100 million years ago, they weren't discovered until a flood swept away a layer of dirt and revealed the footprints about 40 years ago.
Arlon M/TripAdvisor
Now, you can see these remains perfectly, as they're some of the best-preserved dinosaur fossils in the country.
William Stevens & the Cattle Pups/AllTrails
Don Widmayer/AllTrails
Upon the boardwalks you can read informative signs about the many types of fossils that are here.
William Stevens & the Cattle Pups/AllTrails
William Stevens & the Cattle Pups/AllTrails
It's not every day that you can see remnants of prehistoric creatures preserved beautifully in New Mexico nature, but at Clayton Lake State Park, you can see fossils from long, long ago, and it's truly incredible.
marleytad/TripAdvisor
Take a few strolls around the rest of the park's trails and you'll be in awe to think that you're standing where dinosaurs once did.
Don Widmayer/AllTrails

For more information about this fantastic park, its trail system, and its plethora of amenities, visit the Clayton Lake State Park website.

Have you ever seen prehistoric fossils up close at this amazing fossil park? What did you think? We’d love to hear all about your thoughts, and don’t forget to share photos from your adventures with us in our New Mexico Nature Lovers Facebook group, or tag us on Instagram by tagging #onlyinnewmexico for a chance to be featured!

For another amazing state park with special views, you need to visit this jaw-dropping park that’s home to up-close views of ancient lava beds. And while you’re at it, stay on the trail with the handy-dandy AllTrails+ map app to find even more things to do in the area.

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More to Explore

Fossils in New Mexico

Meghan Byers | July 13, 2022

Where else can I find fossils in New Mexico?

If you’re wondering where to find fossils in New Mexico, you have several options:

  • White Sands National Park contains some incredible fossils, including ancient human footprints.
  • Stunning rock formations and unique fossils await at the Lybrook Fossil Area out in the New Mexico desert.
  • Find not only fossils but also petrified trees and unique rock formations in the lesser-known Ojito Wilderness.

The largest collection of full-scale bronze dinosaur skeletons and fossils in the entire United States is located at the Mesalands Dinosaur Museum and Natural Science Laboratory in Tucumcari.

Can I collect fossils that I find in New Mexico?

Invertebrate fossils can be collected in some instances, whereas vertebrate fossils are legally protected and can’t be collected without special permission. Many public lands don’t allow the collection of any natural materials at all, whether that’s fossils or mineral specimens. Your best bet is to be aware of the rules of the park you’re visiting ahead of time.

What are some other great parks to visit in New Mexico?

The Land of Enchantment is full of fascinating natural wonders to explore, boasting 35 state parks with a variety of landscapes ranging from forest to desert and more. Here are some great parks to visit in New Mexico:

  • Elephant Butte Lake State Park is the biggest, with welcoming lake waters and sandy beaches to enjoy, along with hiking and camping.
  • Go scuba diving at Bottomless Lakes State Park in the aforementioned lakes, which are actually sinkholes. While not really bottomless, these sinkholes can reach as deep as 40 feet.
  • City of Rocks State Park features volcanic rock formations dating back over 30 million years.
  • Manzano Mountains State Park has miles and miles of trails through the wilderness.

 

There are so many beautiful state parks to visit in New Mexico.

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Featured Addresses
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways, 141 Clayton Lake Rd, Clayton, NM 88415, USA