Clayton
Clayton, at the foot of the Rabbit Ear Mountains, is still a cattle town; some of the largest feedlots in the region are just to the north. It also is one of the world's largest producers of carbon dioxide, which is used for recovering oil in the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas.
Livestock studies are conducted at Clayton Livestock Research Center, 5 miles east in the Kiowa and Rita Blanca National Grasslands. The University of New Mexico and the U.S. Forest Service investigate problems related to the health, nutrition and management of cattle. Phone (575) 374-2566.
Recreational opportunities abound at Clayton Lake State Park, known for its excellent trout, catfish, walleye and bass fishing. Dinosaur tracks were first discovered on the spillway of the dam in 1982; since then more than 500 tracks have been plotted.
Visitor Centers
Clayton-Union County Chamber of Commerce 1103 S. First St. Clayton, NM 88415. Phone:(575)374-9253 or (800)390-7858