Don’t Worry About Big Airports, Fly to Clayton NM!

NOTE: My Clayton post may contain sponsored links for which I receive a commission.

Landmarks and the Technical Stuff

Clayton Municipal Airpark, Clayton NM, ( IATA: CAO, ICAO: KCAO FAA: CAO,) is a town owned non towered public airport located 2 miles East of downtown Clayton in Union County, NM. This field has two asphalt runways 02/20 at 6,307 x 75′ and 12/30 at 4,106 x 60’elevation 4,970. This airport is easy to access and has good lighting. Self serve fuel is available 24/7 with credit card.

Transportation-Unless Clayton, NM is your destination this field is basically a fuel or emergency stop.

However, there is the Golden Spread Rural Frontier Express which you can access by calling 575-374-6207 thirty minutes before you need transportation. This ride service is only available M-F, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you need to go out of town you have to call the office to make special arrangements.

Things To Do In Clayton, NM

Clayton Lake State Park is 15 miles from the airport. They have 27 camp sites, a beautiful lake as well as a dry lake bed of dinosaur tracks!

You can also travel 11 miles to the Tri-State Monument marker for the Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma border.

The Herzstein Museum is located at 22 S. 2nd Street and filled with dust bowl era history in addition to Native American artifacts.

Places To Stay

There are a few option in town. The Best Western right on Highway 87 is a good choice. There is also Quality Inn and Suites, Super 8, Hotel Eklund, the Holiday Motel and the Clayton Motel.

Dining and Pubs

Looks like the best rated place in town is Si Senor Tacos, 87 Restaurant, or the Hotel Eklund Restaurant. There is also The Wild Horse Grill and Steakhouse a Pizza Hut, and a Subway.

Mary’s Back Porch is a great place for sandwiches. In addition, there are also several taco trucks scattered about town. My friends had lunch from a taco truck on 87 highway and said it was pretty good. They also said they would stop there again if they travel back through.

If you’d also like a cold beer or drink visit the Hotel Eklund, or the VFW.

Interesting History

Clayton New Mexico is the final resting place of Thomas Edward Ketchum otherwise known as “Black Jack Ketchum“. In addition to being a train robber he was also gun for hire who turned himself in at Clayton New Mexico after a failed heist. He was sentenced to death and was subsequently buried in the Clayton Cemetery.

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As always safe flight and smooth landings,

jo@jettreks.com