Clayton RV Park in Clayton, New Mexico, offers a total of 89 sites, including tent areas, RV sites, and cabins. Amenities include electrical hookups, laundry facilities, propane services, a playground, horseshoe pits, and a horse motel. The park features “bare bones” cabins with heating and air conditioning. The bonus room has a pool table, and a book and DVD exchange is also available. Nearby attractions include Clayton State Park with dinosaur tracks and Capulin Volcano. The park aims to ensure guests feel welcome and comfortable by having the goal of providing attentive customer service and a peaceful atmosphere. Those who stay at the park are most often older couples, families, and hunters. Clayton RV Park has a relatively long history, and the owners envision future improvements and sustainability initiatives such as solar power.
Clayton RV Park is situated in the town of Clayton, New Mexico, on 14 acres of land, with approximately 10 acres being dedicated to the campground. The park offers a total of 89 sites, including tent sites and RV accommodation options for visitors. These sites feature a range of electrical hookups, with six sites offering water and electric connections that are 30 amps, while the rest provide full hookups with options ranging from 15 to 50 amps. The park offers both back-in and pull-through sites that are either gravel or grass. Accommodations at Clayton RV Park also include two cabins furnished with a full-size bed, bunk beds, a desk, heating, and air conditioning. It is worth noting that guests must bring their own linen. While the cabins do not have private bathrooms, restroom facilities are located nearby.
While picnic tables are currently undergoing repairs, guests still have access to various types of amenities. For families traveling with children, the park features a playground for kids. Additionally, there are horseshoe pits. Horse owners are able to house their animals at the horse motel offered at the park, with four outdoor stalls and two indoor stalls available. Guests can keep their horses on-site for a fee of $12 per horse per night. Clayton RV Park offers laundry facilities, and propane services are also available on-site.
The park offers additional amenities meant to enhance guests’ comfort and entertainment. Patrons have access to what is known as the “bonus room,” which houses a pool table, providing a recreational space for games and socializing. Visitors interested in reading or movies can take advantage of the book and DVD exchange. Also on the property is a relatively small gift shop within the park that offers a selection of items, including shirts, cookbooks, and personal care products.
Beyond the park’s boundaries, guests can explore the surrounding area and its attractions. The region is home to several extinct volcanoes, including the Capulin Volcano, where visitors can walk along the rim and view the remnants of ancient eruptions. The Santa Fe Trail, a historic route that played a relatively significant role in the westward expansion of the United States, is also within reach of Clayton RV Park. Also noted by the owner is the Clayton State Park, which is reported to feature over 500 dinosaur tracks.
Clayton RV Park strives to create an inviting and comfortable environment for its guests. Carol, one of the owners, states that she "wants them to feel comfortable" whenever they stay at her property. She goes on to explain that the park aims to make visitors feel welcome and at ease during their stay. One of their primary goals is to ensure that visitors have a relaxing experience without encountering any problems or conflicts. According to the owner, the park has maintained a safe and peaceful atmosphere, with no reported incidents of fights or disturbances.
In hopes of creating a sense of comfort and relaxation, the park focuses on keeping all the sites well-maintained and in good working order. If guests have any questions or require assistance, the park staff strives to be available to address their needs. Contact information is on display for relatively easy access, allowing guests to reach out for non-emergency inquiries or requests. One review left by a previous patron reads, “Clayton RV Campground is a great place. They were friendly and nice people who treat their visitors well.”
Clayton RV Park values good customer service, making guests’ comfort a top priority. The owner says they take pride in offering personalized attention, helping newcomers become familiar with the facilities, and trying to ensure that their needs are met. Whether it’s answering questions, providing recommendations, or addressing concerns, the staff is instructed to make guests feel cared for and valued.
When staying at the Clayton RV Campground, visitors are expected to follow the policies of the park. Guests are allowed to bring pets, with no specific restrictions on breeds, as long as they are leashed, and owners clean up after them. Quiet hours are in place from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Smoking is permitted on the property, although the main building is designated as non-smoking. Campfires are occasionally prohibited depending on the climate of the local area; however, visitors are able to use the grills that are provided at their site.
One unique aspect of the park, as mentioned by Carol, is that they are in an area that has "low-voltage light pollution," creating an opportunity to see the night skies. She also remarks that they have an observatory deck on the property for the guests to experience the night skies while they stay at the campground.
Clayton RV Park often hosts a relatively wide demographic, with the largest group being coupled over the age of 65. Families also visit during the summer months, often coming for the nearby attractions. The owner reports that many guests have been returning to Clayton RV Park for several years. Additionally, the park often accommodates hunters during the winter season. The park is open year-round; however, during the winter months, only four rows of RV sites are available.
Clayton RV Park has a history that spans several decades. The property has changed ownership over the years, with the current owners, Carol and Jeff Childress, acquiring the park approximately 17 years ago. It’s currently unknown who the first owners were, but the couple the current owners purchased the park from had owned it for 25 years. Prior to its transformation into an RV park, the property was a mobile home park and was known as Meadow Lark Park.
Carol and her husband ventured into the lodging industry after working in the casino industry in Las Vegas, Nevada, for two decades. Seeking a change of pace and a less crowded environment, they stumbled upon Clayton RV Park during their search for a new location. The affordability and appeal of the property led them to make a move to Clayton, New Mexico.
During their tenure, Carol and her husband have made several changes to enhance the park. They initially operated a cook trailer, offering breakfast services for guests. However, due to logistical challenges and uncertain demand, they eventually discontinued this service. The park’s game room, housed in a trailer, underwent renovation and now features a pool table. Additional improvements include the painting of the playground and the installation of a new basketball hoop.
One of Carol’s favorite parts of owning the Clayton RV Campground is meeting and interacting with guests while being able to share stories and experiences. She enjoys the opportunity to assist guests, especially newcomers to the RV lifestyle, with setting up their rigs and providing them with necessary supplies available at the park’s store.
Looking ahead, Carol envisions utilizing green energy by transitioning the park to solar power, capitalizing on the sunshine in the region. This approach aligns with her desire to make the park more sustainable and efficient.
903 S 5th St
Clayton, New Mexico 88415
United States
Campground
Carol and Jeff Childress
