Frequently asked
Is tonight good for stargazing at Clayton Lake?
The live score above pulls today's forecast and runs it through StarCast's scoring model, factoring in cloud cover, moon illumination, Bortle class, humidity, and atmospheric transparency. Above 70 is an excellent night. Below 40, conditions are poor. The score updates daily.
What makes Clayton Lake good for astrophotography?
Clayton Lake State Park was the first International Dark Sky Park designated in New Mexico, earning certification in 2010. It sits at over 5,000 feet elevation in the far northeastern corner of the state on the western edge of the Great Plains, where rolling grasslands and volcanic rock formations open up the horizon in every direction. The park's Star Point Observatory houses a solar-powered 14-inch Meade telescope open to the public on Saturday nights. Bortle Class 1 to 2 conditions are typical here. The park also protects one of the most extensive dinosaur trackway sites in North America, with over 500 footprints preserved along the lake spillway, making it one of the most distinctive combined day and night destinations in the Southwest.
When is the Milky Way visible at Clayton Lake?
The galactic core is visible from April through October, with monthly star parties hosted during the new moon throughout the year. The high plains climate delivers extremely clear and dry conditions most nights. The park receives only around 65,000 visitors annually, meaning the site is almost always uncrowded. Camping is available with dark-sky-compliant red lighting throughout the campground.
