Day-use fees would be eliminated for New Mexico residents under a new rule change
Santa Fe, NM –The State Parks Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (State Parks) announces a series of public meetings to discuss a recent Fees Study that proposes an increase in certain State Parks related fees, while eliminating day-use entrance fees to State Parks for New Mexico residents.
State Parks has 35 locations in 25 of New Mexico’s 33 counties. State Parks rely heavily on self-generated revenue through entrance and camping fees, concessions, and other related revenue streams to accomplish its mission of enhancing natural and cultural resources, providing first-class recreational and education facilities and opportunities, and promoting public safety to benefit and enrich the lives of more than five million visitors each year.
State Park’s current fees, which are set by rule, have not been updated in decades and have not kept pace with inflation. The principal objective of the Fees Study was to explore options to adjust fees to address that gap in order to both improve the agency’s financial position while also enhancing the Division’s mission to maintain affordable state park access for New Mexico citizens and visitors to our state.
“Our state parks have been the crown jewel of outdoor recreation in New Mexico for 91 years and they are essential contributors to quality of life in our state” said Toby Velasquez, State Parks Division Director. “We are decades behind surrounding states when it comes to our fees structure. Adjustments are necessary to better support these beautiful landscapes with diverse natural and cultural resources for future generations.”
Key elements in the Fees Study include:
- Elimination of day-use fees for New Mexico residents.
- Implementation of a non-resident day-use fee.
- Eliminating Annual Passes.
- Adjusting camping and utility fees.
- Adjusting boat registration and launching fees.
- Adjusting entrance fees at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park and Smokey Bear Historical Park.
The current Fees Study informational meeting dates, times, and locations are as follows (Note: Meeting schedules are subject to change and any changes will be publicized):
| Informational Meeting Date | Time | Location |
| Wednesday, February 21, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park 5000 Calle del Norte Mesilla, NM 88046 |
| Thursday, February 22, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Elephant Butte Lake State Park Boating Education Center 101 Hwy 195 Elephant Butte, NM 87935 |
| Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park 1504 Skyline Dr. Carlsbad, NM 88220 |
| Friday, March 1, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM | Virtual WebEx Meeting TBD |
| Wednesday, March 6, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Mesalands Community College Wind Energy Center Building E 911 South Tenth Street Tucumcari, NM 88401 |
| Thursday, March 7, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | NM Department of Public Safety/State Police 520 S Commerce St. Las Vegas, NM 87701 |
| Monday, March 11, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Navajo Lake State Park Visitor Center 36 Road 4110 #1 Navajo Dam, NM 87419 |
| Tuesday, March 12, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM | Rio Grande Nature Center State Park Education Building 2901 Candelaria Rd., NW Albuquerque, NM 87107 |
| Monday, April 1, 2024 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Virtual Option TBD |
EMNRD
Wendell Chino Building |
The Fees Study and Executive Summary are available to view or download in PDF format on the emnrd.nm.gov website under Park Plans, or at the following links.
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study Executive Summary
New Mexico State Parks Fees Study
