Hunting Information

The New Mexico State Land Office, in cooperation with the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, authorizes licensed hunters and anglers to access certain State Trust Lands. This authorization extends to all state trust lands except those lands which have been withdrawn from this agreement.

Things to know before you go:

All hunters must comply with their NMDOW license and NMDOW New Mexico Hunting Rules & Info.
Hunters must apply with all applicable laws and rules, including those involving cultural properties and wildlife.
Hunters must follow NMSLO rules regarding motorized traffic and only operate motorized vehicles, including Off Road Vehicles, on established roads. Please call the NMSLO at (505) 827-5760 or the NMDOW at (505) 476-8000 for information about access or road conditions.
Hunters should follow the “Leave No Trace” principles.
Camping and parking are only allowed in areas marked as dispersed camping areas on State Land Office (NMSLO) maps for hunters with a valid license.
Hunters are allowed up to 14 consecutive days of camping in designated areas for the license term of their permitted hunt.

ACCESS

Hunters can access state trust land through any of the access points that have been identified by NMDOW and NMSLO. These points should have orange access signs at entrance points, and gates should be opened or unlocked during any open season, plus a seven-day scouting period prior to the start of the season for which the license applies.

Signed access points are not the only points of access onto state trust land. Hunters can access state trust land by any other legal means such as via a public road or with the written permission from the surface lessee when no public road access exists. Licensees can also enter onto state trust land by foot by crossing any fence that they can legally get to (for example, a highway ROW fence or from adjacent public land).

The Hunting Information Map indicates access points, as well as designated campgrounds on state trust land.

Camping on State Trust Lands

Thanks to the agreement between Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richard and the New Mexico Department of Wildlife, hunters on state trust land can camp in designated areas within the licensed dates. Designated campsites are listed in the agreement, and found in the Hunting Information Map.

Luera Backpacking and Camping

Beyond the designated campground, those holding a valid NMDOW license to hunt in Game Management Unit 16E may apply for a Luera Mountains Backpacking permit, which allows backcountry camping on state trust lands within the game management unit.

There is a limit of 25 Luera Mountains Backpacking permits available per year.

Hunting Information Map

Luera Backpacking Application

White Peak Camping

Camping is available in several designated campgrounds for licensed New Mexico hunters in the White Peak Area, Game Management Unit 48. Please note that the Wet Meadow Campground is currently closed as part of fire recovery efforts.

Hunting Information Map

White Peak Public Access Map

Campfires

Campfires are only allowed in in designated camping areas or dispersed camping areas with a current and valid New Mexico hunting license. The Commissioner reserves the right to impose additional fire restrictions on state trust lands as necessary.

Information on fire restrictions is available here. You may also call the Fire Restrictions Hotline at 1-877-864-6985.