New Mexico’s newest state park providing goals to honor those that served our nation, with free entry for all times. Beginning July 1, 2025, New Mexico resident veterans can apply for this lifetime move and can by no means must pay for day-use entry or tenting entry at any state park within the Land of Enchantment.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed Home Invoice 161 on March 20, 2025, to offer leisure alternatives and entry for New Mexico veterans. Based on a press launch, the invoice obtained sturdy bipartisan assist within the legislature. That invoice opened the door to create this new lifetime move.
“Our state parks system represents a few of New Mexico’s most lovely and treasured lands,” Secretary Melanie A. Kenderdine, for the Power, Minerals and Pure Assets Division (EMNRD), mentioned in a press launch. “We’re honored to open these areas to the women and men who’ve served our nation.”
Sidney Hill, the general public info officer for EMNRD, informed GearJunkie that this profit will solely present entry to New Mexico’s 35 state parks and doesn’t embrace state monuments. Additionally it is solely accessible for non-active obligation army veterans.
‘Discover Peace, Join With Nature’
There are 35 state parks in New Mexico that veterans will have the ability to go to and camp at at no cost with this new move. From Pecos Canyon to Elephant Butte, Cimarron Canyon, and Metropolis of Rocks, there isn’t any scarcity of locations for veterans to go to.
For an entire checklist of New Mexico State Parks, take a look at the EMNRD web site. That website additionally gives up-to-date data on New Mexico park closures and alerts. It’s additionally the place you’ll be able to ebook campsites and procure permits for all 35 state parks.
Governor Grisham mentioned in a press launch, “This lifetime move provides our veterans entry to a number of the most lovely locations in our state — locations the place they will discover peace, join with nature, and benefit from the out of doors recreation that makes New Mexico dwelling.”
Eligibility & How one can Apply
Based on Hill, “To qualify for the move, a person should be a verified army veteran and a New Mexico resident.”
Hill mentioned each of these statuses shall be verified when a veteran submits an utility to the New Mexico Division of Veterans Providers.
To inquire about eligibility, fill out an utility, or acquire common info for the brand new profit, electronic mail vet.advantages@dvs.nm.gov or name 1-866-433-8387.
Secretary Kenderdine said that “offering veterans the prospect to take pleasure in our parks and campgrounds is a significant strategy to say thanks, and we stay up for honoring the lifetime veterans move in parks.”
