Recreational Access Permit Application

I. Instructions

To apply for a Recreational Access Permit, please READ CAREFULLY and complete the application form below. You may (1) submit the application online or (2) print it out, complete it and submit it via mail or in-person. Online submittals should include a credit card payment; in-person or mail submittals should include a check or money order (NO CASH PLEASE) in the amount of $35.00 made out to the Commissioner of Public Lands. Mail the completed application form with the accompanying fee to Commissioner of Public Lands, P.O. Box 1148, Santa Fe, NM 87504-1148, or deliver it to the State Land Office, 310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501. Upon approval of your application, the State Land Office will deliver your Recreational Access Permit. Submittals made via email will be responded to via email; submittals made in-person or through mail will be responded to through the mail.

In accordance with 19.2.19.7 NMAC, the Commissioner of Public Lands (Commissioner) may issue recreational access permits (Permit) for the purpose of conducting non-commercial activities, including, but not limited to, hiking, sightseeing, picnicking, observing wildlife, photographing, horseback riding, and cross country skiing. Permits are valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance and allow up to 10 family members to accompany the permit holder (Permittee). A Recreational Access Permit only authorizes access to certain state trust lands and does not include areas that have been withdrawn from recreational access by the Commissioner, or lands leased for oil, gas, and mining operations.

II. Application

Applicant Information

* Indicates required field

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

* Phone

Email Address

*Date of Birth

Driver's License Number

State of Issuance

Address Information

*Address

*City

State

*Zip

Emergency Contact

*Emergency Contact Name

*Emergency Contact Cell Phone Number

Family Members

	Family Member	Relationship to Permittee	Remove

Fifth Grade Waiver (Optional)

For a limited time, the Commissioner is offering free Recreation Access Permits on a first-come, first-serve basis to applicants visiting State Trust Lands with a family member who is a 5th grader in a New Mexico public school. (These free Permits are sponsored by the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.) To qualify, please enter the following information:

Name of 5th Grader

Name of 5th Grader's School (include town/city)

Name of 5th Grader's Teacher

Supplemental Information

Please list the location(s) on state trust lands that you plan to visit with your Recreational Access Permit, if known at this time. If possible, list the section, township and range, or any nearby landmarks or major roads for a point of reference.

Please list activities that you plan to pursue on state trust lands (e.g., day-hiking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, taking photos, etc.) and when you expect to be visiting state lands, if known.

III. Terms and Conditions

A Recreational Access Permit authorizes the Permittee, and up to 10 family members in the company of the Permittee, the right to enter upon certain state trust lands subject to specific terms and conditions. Any violation of these terms and conditions may result in the denial of access to state trust lands and other appropriate legal action.

A Permit does not authorize access to private, federal or non-trust land state property and the Permittee’s entry upon lands that are not subject to the Recreational Access Permit may result in prosecution for trespass.
A Permit is only valid in the possession of Permittee and shall become invalid if possessed by anyone other than the Permittee. A Permit is effective upon the date of its execution by the Commissioner and shall terminate one year from date of issuance, unless terminated earlier by the Commissioner.
The commission of a prohibited activity by any person who gained access to state trust lands pursuant to a Permit shall render the Permit invalid, and shall constitute grounds for the Commissioner to deny recreational access to, and to reject permit applications by, any such person. The Commissioner may cancel a Permit by providing oral notice of the cancellation to Permittee or by mailing or emailing notice of cancellation to Permittee at the above address.
It is important to remember that a Permit does not give the Permittee access to ALL state trust lands. It is the Permittee’s responsibility to know which lands are open to recreational activities and which lands are closed. If you have questions, please visit the State Land Office website or call the State Land Office at (505) 827-5760 for additional information.
State trust lands that are subject to active business leases, oil and gas operations, mining operations, or are otherwise closed to recreational activities by the Commissioner are not accessible by Permittees. In addition, it is within the Commissioner's discretion to withdraw any state trust lands from recreational access if the Commissioner determines that such withdrawal is in the best interests of the trust.
As state trust lands are leased for multiple purposes, Permittees may not materially interfere with other authorized uses of such lands or valid existing rights – such as agriculture leases and related improvements, and rights-of-way – or in a manner that prevents or limits the Commissioner’s exercise of their constitutional, statutory, or regulatory responsibilities.
If Permittee encounters an unlocked gate, the Permittee must ensure the gate is closed after passing through.
Motorized vehicle (and any mechanical form of transportation) access is permitted via public highways and roads only (as defined by Section 67-2-1 NMSA1978) and established roads that cross state trust lands to which recreational access is granted under the terms of a Permit. When lands open to recreation access are fenced, vehicles can only access via an unlocked gate accessible from an immediately adjacent public highway or road or from an immediately adjacent established road that crosses the lands to which access is granted. If no gate is accessible, recreational access beyond the fence is limited to foot travel.
“Pack it In, Pack it Out” – Permittees and respective family members must “leave no trace” of their visit to state trust lands. Trash generated during your visit MUST be packed out and disposed of properly.
Permittee agrees that Permittee and those accompanying the Permittee shall not engage in PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES, including, but not limited to, the following:
1. disturbing, harassing, injuring, destroying or removing wildlife, livestock, or any other animal life;
2. disturbing, dislodging, damaging, destroying or removing native plants, standing timber wood products, flowers, growing crops, or any other plant life other than pinon nuts gathered non-commercially;
3. disturbing, dislodging, damaging, defacing, destroying or removing historical, archaeological, paleontological or cultural sites, or artifacts;
4. disturbing, dislodging, defacing, damaging or destroying any improvement, fixture, item, object, or thing placed or located in, under, or upon the land;
5. crossing lands not open to recreational access, without permission, to gain access to state trust lands that are open to recreational access;
6. conducting off-road vehicle activities;
7. bringing unrestrained (unleashed) animals on state trust lands;
8. discarding refuse, waste, or litter of any kind;
9. building open fires, igniting fireworks, or conducting any other activity that increases the risk of range, brush, or forest fires;
10. conducting any type of commercial operations;
11. discharging firearms, camping overnight, opening (without closing) gates;
12. bringing onto state trust lands or consuming thereon any type of alcoholic beverage;
13. violating any applicable law, statute, regulation, ordinance, or rule enacted by a governmental entity;
14. fishing, trapping, or hunting without a valid New Mexico license;
15. mineral exploration, development, or mining, or collecting valuable rocks or minerals;
16. interfering with the authorized activities of other land users; or,
17. entering, climbing, or accessing in any way structures, buildings, fixtures or improvements other than fences located on state trust land.

IV. Acknowledgement

Permittee acknowledges that Permittee and those to accompany the Permittee are aware of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and agree to abide by them. PERMITTEE FURTHER AGREES THAT THE ENTRY ON STATE LANDS BY PERMITTEE AND THOSE IN THE COMPANY OF PERMITTEE SHALL BE SOLELY AT THE RISK OF PERMITTEE. Neither the Commissioner nor the Commissioner’s other grantees extend to Permittee any assurance that state lands are safe for recreational access or assume responsibility or liability for any injury or damage to Permittee or those in Permittee’s company incurred while on state lands. Permittee shall assume all liability for claims, losses or damages alleged to arise out of or be indirectly connected with the activities on state lands of Permittee and those in the company of Permittee and further agrees to save, hold harmless, indemnify and defend from liability for all such claims, losses or damages lessees of state land, Commissioner and Commissioner’s agents and employees in their official and individual capacities.

*I acknowledge that I have read and understood the terms of this agreement.

Check the box at the end of each section to indicate that you have read and understand the following conditions:

1) A Recreational Access Permit (“Permit”) does not authorize access to private, federal or non-Trust land state property and the Permittee’s entry upon lands that are not subject to the Permit may result in prosecution for trespass. The Permit does not include any rights to use any land other than New Mexico State Trust lands. I am responsible for obtaining any other necessary permits (other state lands, federal, local).

Motorized vehicle (and any mechanical form of transportation) access is permitted via public highways and roads only (as defined by Section 67-2-1 NMSA 1978) and established roads that cross state trust lands to which recreational access is granted. As State Trust lands are leased for multiple purposes, permittees may not materially interfere with other authorized uses of such lands or valid existing rights – such as agricultural leases and related improvements, and rights-of-way. When lands open to recreation are fenced, vehicles can only access via an unlocked gate accessible from an immediately adjacent public highway or road or from an immediately adjacent established road that crosses the lands to which access is granted. I will leave gates either open or closed as they are found and no fences will be cut or laid down. If no gate is accessible, recreational access beyond the fence is limited to foot travel.