State Land Commissioner Opens New Campsites in Eddy County to Sportsmen

SANTA FE, NM – In an effort to improve the sportsman experience on New Mexico State Trust Lands, State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn today announced two new campsites are now open near Carlsbad in Eddy County.

The two campsites, pictured below, are clearly marked and ideally suited for tents and campers. The sites are considered “primitive” and thus contain no amenities such as running water, electricity, picnic tables or restrooms.

These campsites are open during hunting season to hunters, anglers, and trappers with a valid hunting license and all applicable permits, stamps or validations. The sites are not open to the general public.

In all, there are 11 campsites on State Trust Lands. In addition to the Eddy County locations, campsites are located in Colfax, Catron, de Baca, Lea, Socorro, Torrance, and Union counties.

In May, Commissioner Dunn announced the addition of 141 new access points in 14 counties, bringing the number of access points on State Trust Lands to 345. Of the new access points, 124 are open to walk-ins and 17 are accessible by vehicle.

A map identifying campsites and access points located on State Trust Lands and can be viewed at http://mapservice.nmstatelands.org/HuntingInformation/.

“Land ownership patterns in New Mexico tend to lock sportsmen out, but as promised I have been working with our lessees to create a more open and positive experience for hunters and anglers,” said Commissioner Dunn. “Hunting is deeply rooted in our cultural heritage and my office is doing all we can to preserve these traditions.”

Nearly all of the nine million acres of surface estate managed by Commissioner Dunn and the State Land Office are leased for livestock grazing and cropland production, and during New Mexico’s hunting season are open to licensed sportsmen.

The State Land Office is partnering with the state Department of Game and Fish and the Bureau of Land Management to offer mobile maps of New Mexico’s big-game hunting units, hunting access points, and more through the “CarryMap” application. This application allows users to store hunting unit maps on their mobile devices and access them regardless of cellular coverage.

Access https://www.blm.gov/nm/huntingmaps/ for instructions to download the app.