Here is the update we have been waiting for. Overnight camping for instate residents will resume October 1st. Still unanswered- will all gates reopen? Will the parks reopen 7 days a week?

Folks- here is the first public admission that the closures are due to staffing shortages- not COVID (I’ve heard this excuse all summer). The water and land managed but the state parks is owned by the federal government. The state parks have a contract with the federal government to manage the water and land. By failing to staff up, they have failed to uphold their contractual obligations….

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Christina Cordova
Public Relations Coordinator, State Parks Division
christina.cordova@state.nm.us
505-476-3363
Susan Torres
Public Information Officer, EMNRD
susan.torres@state.nm.us
505-476-3226
September 18, 2020

Overnight camping by reservation to resume for
New Mexico residents only beginning October 1st

Santa Fe – Today the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department’s (EMNRD) State
Parks Division announces the reopening of overnight camping in most State Parks beginning
October 1st. All camping reservations will be cancelled and refunded through September 30th.
State Parks remain open to New Mexico residents only. Reservations from out-of-state visitors
will be cancelled and refunded through October 16, 2020. Camping will be available by online
reservation only; a valid New Mexico license plate will be required to complete your transaction.
Beginning October 1st overnight camping by reservation will resume at all parks that offer
camping except Brantley Lake, Pecos Canyon, and El Vado Lake State Parks. These parks will
remain closed to camping due to staffing shortages or normal seasonal closures; however, they
will remain open for day-use. Morphy Lake and Manzano Mountains State Parks remain closed
due to construction.
Overnight camping reservations must be made online. To the extent possible, available camping
spots will be spread out to encourage social distancing. Annual camping permits purchased after
March 1, 2019 will be extended.
It is important for visitors to continue to check for details on specific park hours of operation and
additional information visit the State Parks website and know before you go.
State Parks advises the additional guidance is still in place:

Limitations on Visitors:
• Only New Mexico residents may enter New Mexico State Parks.
• Visitors must show either a valid New Mexico license plate, a New Mexico driver’s license
or ID card, a New Mexico vehicle registration, a federal document attesting to residency,
or a military ID to be admitted to a State Park.
Additional guidance:
• Wearing a mask or cloth face covering is mandatory in public settings except when eating,
drinking, or swimming or unless a healthcare provider instructs otherwise, and violators
could face citations and $100 fines for not complying voluntarily.
• Keep groups to 10 people or less
• Bring hand sanitizer and additional personal protective equipment
• Maintain social distance of 6 feet or more while recreating
• Visitor centers and shower facilities remain closed
• An online reservation is required to camp
• No campfires or open fires
• Water access and trails will be open, but access may be limited to adhere to social
distancing requirements
• No group shelter use or large organized events, in accordance with continued restrictions
on mass gatherings
• Playgrounds closed
• To limit interactions, please use exact change when paying fees
• Limited concession operations
• Recreate responsibly and pack out all trash
• Follow all safety guidelines when boating or swimming
All current park information can be found on park webpages and on the FAQ page at
www.nmparks.com.

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The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides resource protection and renewable energy resource
development services to the public and other state agencies.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us

State Parks Announce Timeline for Reopening Overnight Camping at State Parks

Overnight camping by reservation to resume for New Mexico residents only beginning October 1st

### The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides resource protection and renewable energy resource development services to the public and other state agencies. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us

Overnight camping by reservation to resume for
New Mexico residents only beginning October 1st

###
The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department provides resource protection and renewable energy resource
development services to the public and other state agencies.
http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us