Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways
4 places to stay nearby, rated for darkness ↓
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways is a protected area in New Mexico with a measured darkness of 89/100 (≈ Bortle 2), among the very darkest measurable skies we have rated: the Milky Way casts visible shadows on moonless nights. The best month to come is typically September, when about 74% of the night sky is clear.
Tonight's outlook: 31/100. The moon is 98% lit and above the horizon 96% of the night; typical September clear-sky odds here are 74%. Updated daily.
Best time to stargaze at Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways
| Month | Clear night skies | Sky Score (new moon) |
|---|---|---|
| January | 60% | 61/100 |
| February | 63% | 62/100 |
| March | 64% | 63/100 |
| April | 66% | 65/100 |
| May | 61% | 61/100 |
| June | 60% | 60/100 |
| July | 57% | 59/100 |
| August | 59% | 60/100 |
| September ★ | 74% | 70/100 |
| October | 71% | 68/100 |
| November | 69% | 67/100 |
| December | 65% | 64/100 |
Scores assume a moonless night, check the moon before you drive (methodology).
Where to stay near Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways: sleep under a dark sky
We measured the night sky over each stay below, not just over the spot: the darkness score is computed at the hotel's own location, so you know what you'll see from the door. Sorted darkest sky first, with the distance to Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways for each.
64/100sky darkness at this stay
59/100sky darkness at this stay
59/100sky darkness at this stay
More stays nearby
- Check availability →
Super 8 by Wyndham Clayton
Darkness: 59/100 · 19.7 km from Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways
Booking links are affiliate links, see the disclosure.
Live prices around Clayton
Clayton is the closest base to Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways with rooms to book. The map shows everything available there right now, including the hotels, apartments and cabins we do not rate. Use the stays above when darkness decides, use the map when price or availability does.
Prices and availability come from the booking partners shown on the map, and we earn a commission on bookings made through it. Sky darkness is measured only for the stays listed above.
Nearby spots in New Mexico
- Capulin Volcano National Monument 63.7 km · Sky Score 63/100
- Ute Lake State Park 137.2 km · Sky Score 50/100
- Conchas Lake State Park 151.9 km · Sky Score 64/100
- Cimarron Canyon State Park 166.9 km · Sky Score 62/100
- Fort Union National Monument 170.1 km · Sky Score 65/100
Sky data: NASA Black Marble VJ146A4 2025 annual composite · clear-sky climatology ERA5 2015–2024 (methodology).