New Mexico resident veterans now eligible for lifetime pass to New Mexico State Parks

20251012-go-vetsfree
Jeremy Gonzales, with Storrie Lake State Park, clears ice from the boat dock area so that people can jump into the ice cold water.
20251012-go-vetsfree
The J.C. Sanchez Trail in the Cerrillos Hills State Park near Cerrillos in 2019.
20251012-go-vetsfree
Morphy Lake State Park near Mora in 2024.
20251012-go-vetsfree
The J.C. Sanchez Trail in the Cerrillos Hills State Park near Cerrillos in 2019.
20251012-go-vetsfree
City of Rocks State Park near Faywood in 2022.
20251012-go-vetsfree
Morphy Lake State Park near Mora in 2024.
Published Modified
20251012-go-vetsfree
Toby VelasquezToby Velasquez

New Mexico resident veterans are eligible for a free lifetime pass to all New Mexico state parks, which includes entry and camping fees.

House Bill 161, which received bipartisan legislative support earlier this year after being sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Dow, R-Truth or Consequences, was signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. The bill provides veterans residing in New Mexico with free access to state parks through unlimited day-use passes and camping passes for areas operated by the State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.

About 5,000 veterans in New Mexico have signed up and received the passes so far, according to Toby Velasquez, director of New Mexico State Parks.

“We are happy to honor our veterans,” he said.

New Mexico veterans interested in receiving the lifetime pass should contact the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services at vet.benefits@dvs.nm.gov or 1-866-433-8387 for help filling out the form.

“This new benefit shows how much we appreciate our veterans,” Jamison Herrera, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services, said in a news release earlier this year. “Letting them enjoy our state parks gives them a chance to relax, have fun, and heal in New Mexico’s beautiful outdoors.”

New Mexico resident veterans now eligible for lifetime pass to New Mexico State Parks

20251012-go-vetsfree
Toby Velasquez
Jeremy Gonzales, with Storrie Lake State Park, clears ice from the boat dock area so that people can jump into the ice cold water.
20251012-go-vetsfree
City of Rocks State Park near Faywood in 2022.
20251012-go-vetsfree
Morphy Lake State Park near Mora in 2024.
20251012-go-vetsfree
The J.C. Sanchez Trail in the Cerrillos Hills State Park near Cerrillos in 2019.
20251012-go-vetsfree
Morphy Lake State Park near Mora in 2024.
20251012-go-vetsfree
The J.C. Sanchez Trail in the Cerrillos Hills State Park near Cerrillos in 2019.
Powered by Labrador CMS