Changes To New Mexico Law In 2025 Include New Fees For State Parks

Starting in January, new laws go into effect in New Mexico and one of them will make state park visitors very happy ... for a little while.

Just like in Texas and across the country, the new year brings new laws and not everybody will be happy with all of them. Take Texas for example - most of the state is thrilled to see annual state vehicle inspections go away. Except for those living in Texas counties that are keeping them.

Anyway, one of the new laws for the land of enchantment has to do with state park entry fees which are going up and, also, away. For a minute anyway.

What Changes For New Mexico State Park Entry Fees?

First of all, for New Mexicans, the entry fees are going away. At least from January 1st through April 30th anyway ... for the first few months of '25, residents can visit the parks for FREE. After that though, the fee is coming back and it's going up.

Nonresidents will still have to pay but, starting in October, out of stater's can get free day passes until April 30th. If you want to go check out all the changes from the Elephant Butte makeover, do it then to avoid the day use fee.

Fees across the board are going up for everyone, resident or not but residents will still pay less. Here are the changes:

• Day Use Passes (Outside the "free" months): $5 for residents, $10 for nonresidents. Day-use fees are per vehicle.
• "Primitive" Camping: This one goes from $8 for anybody to $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Assessed per vehicle, per day.
• Annual passes are really going up - $75 for residents, $150 for nonresidents.
• Annual camping passes go from $180 to $300 for residents and from $225 to $600 for nonresidents.

Those annual passes will also now run through the calendar year from January to December, instead of expiring a year after the passes was purchased. Prorated passes will be available in 2025 for those who bought a pass in the middle of this year. - santafenewmexican.com