Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways

Sky Score 63/100≈ Bortle 2

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 in the American Southwest, 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: 59/100. The moon is 7% lit and above the horizon 13% of the night; typical August clear-sky odds here are 59%. Updated daily.

Best time to stargaze at Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways

MonthClear night skiesSky Score (new moon)
January60%61/100
February63%62/100
March64%63/100
April66%65/100
May61%61/100
June60%60/100
July57%59/100
August59%60/100
September ★74%70/100
October71%68/100
November69%67/100
December65%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

Each place below is rated for the darkness at its own doorstep, stay dark, and the sky is yours from the parking lot.

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Nearby spots in New Mexico