Miscellaneous

New Mexico State Parks Lifetime Veteran Pass

Since July 1, 2025 every resident veteran, not only the 50 percent disabled, can get a free lifetime hang-tag pass for unlimited day use and camping, including utility hookups, at every state park. Reservation fees, group sites, cabins and yurts are extra.

Also called: NMSA 16-2-7.1, House Bill 161, Laws 2025, ch. 11, lifetime veteran pass, DVS Form 15, state parks, camping, day use, Veterans Day.

For: Veteran or service member, spouse, child.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

New MexicoState

Section 16-2-7.1, as rewritten by House Bill 161 of 2025, Laws 2025, chapter 11, signed March 20, 2025 and effective June 20, 2025. What changed. The old section gave a veteran rated 50 percent or more one annual day-use pass and one three-day camping pass a year. The new one requires the State Parks Division to provide "to a veteran residing in the state" one day-use pass "for unlimited entry" and one camping pass "for unlimited use of camping areas". The disability requirement is gone. State Parks began issuing the lifetime pass on July 1, 2025 and stopped issuing the old disabled veteran passes, honouring those already issued until they expire. Who qualifies. A New Mexico resident who was enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned and accepted for active duty; or served six continuous years in a reserve component, including the Space Force reserve, or the Army or Air Guard; or served as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service or NOAA on active duty; and was not separated under circumstances amounting to a dishonorable discharge. The Army benefits library says an honourable discharge is required; the statute and the Department of Veterans' Services' application (DVS Form 15, revised June 10, 2025) say only not dishonorable. What it covers. Day-use, camping and utility fees at all parks the Division runs, for one vehicle at a time, with the veteran present. It does not cover the reservation contractor's fee of $3 to $10, group shelters and group camping, cabins, yurts or event facilities. The State Parks page is inconsistent about two parks: it says the pass covers the veteran's entry at Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and the parking fee at Rio Grande Nature Center, and a few lines later lists both as not covered. Ask at the gate. How to apply. Send DVS Form 15, the DD-214 and proof of residency to the Department of Veterans' Services; walk-in applications are processed while you wait. Veterans Day. Separately, section 28-13A-1 gives any resident who is serving or has served, and the resident's spouse and dependent children, free use of every state park, including camping, on Veterans Day.

Thresholds

Thresholds for New Mexico State Parks Lifetime Veteran Pass
Gate	Rule
Resident veteran, not dishonorable, including six-year Guard and reserve members	NMSA 1978, § 16-2-7.1(B), as amended by Laws 2025, ch. 11 (HB 161).

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed DD214 or other separation documents
Where to get it Download it from milConnect if your branch has it there, or request it from the National Archives. A VA application can ask VA to request it for you.
Listed by State Parks Division, for veterans read 2026-10-10
Needed Proof of residence
Where to get it A document showing where you live, such as a utility bill, lease, voter registration card or state ID. The agency says which ones it accepts.
Listed by DVS Form 15, application for the lifetime pass (revised June 10, 2025) read 2026-10-10

Sources

NMSA 1978, Chapter 16, § 16-2-7.1Official
HB 161 (2025), Laws 2025, ch. 11Official
State Parks Division, for veteransOfficial
DVS Form 15, application for the lifetime pass (revised June 10, 2025)Official

Legislation

Law the tracker is watching for this entry. See the legislation tracker for every jurisdiction.

Laws 2025, ch. 11 (HB 161) Opened unlimited free state park day use and camping to every resident veteran

Catalog reconciledEnactedScope changed

Signed 2025-03-20Takes effect 2025-06-20

Introduced Done, 2025-01-28, step 1 of 6
In committee Done, 2025-01-28, step 2 of 6
Passed one chamber Done, 2025-03-07, step 3 of 6
Passed both chambers Done, 2025-03-16, step 4 of 6
Signed by the governor Done, 2025-03-20, step 5 of 6
In effect Done, 2025-06-20, step 6 of 6

Expands benefits Gives every resident veteran, including six-year Guard and reserve members, a lifetime pass for day use and camping at state parks.

Rewrote NMSA 1978, § 16-2-7.1. The old section gave a veteran rated 50 percent or more one annual day-use pass and one three-day camping pass. The new one gives every resident veteran, including six-year Guard and reserve members and PHS and NOAA officers, not separated under dishonorable conditions, a day-use pass for unlimited entry and a camping pass for unlimited use. Signed March 20, 2025, effective June 20, 2025; State Parks began issuing the lifetime pass on July 1, 2025.

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-30.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.