Free Lifetime State Park Pass for New Mexico Veterans
Published 30 October 2026
If you are a veteran who lives in New Mexico, you can get a free lifetime pass that covers day use and camping at all 35 New Mexico State Parks, including Oliver Lee Memorial State Park just south of Alamogordo. You apply through the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services, which has an office right here in town at 411 10th Street #107. Walk-in applications are processed while you wait.
Who qualifies for the free veterans state park pass?
The pass is only for New Mexico resident veterans. According to the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services application, DVS Form 15, you are eligible if you:
- were enlisted, drafted, inducted or commissioned in the U.S. Armed Forces and assigned to active duty, or
- served six years of continuous service in the National Guard or Reserve, or
- served on active duty as a commissioned officer of the U.S. Public Health Service or NOAA, and
- were not separated under circumstances amounting to a dishonorable discharge.
Out-of-state veterans do not qualify, and federal park passes and military passes are not valid at New Mexico State Parks.
What does the pass cover?
It covers a lot. New Mexico State Parks says the pass covers the regular day-use fee, camping fee and utility fees for the pass holder.
| Covered | Not covered |
|---|---|
| Day use at all 35 state parks | Reservation service fees ($3 to $10 per reservation) |
| Developed camping | Group shelters, group camping and rally sites |
| Utility fees for the pass holder | Cabins, yurts, corrals and event facilities |
| Parking and entry fees | Parking at Rio Grande Nature Center State Park |
| Unlimited visits for life | Smokey Bear Historical Park |
A few rules to know: the pass is good for one vehicle at a time, it cannot be transferred or used by family members on their own, and the veteran has to be there for it to be valid. Normal camping limits still apply, which are 14 days out of any 20 from October 1 to April 30, and 7 days out of any 20 from May 1 to September 30.
How do you apply in Alamogordo?
It is a short process, and you can do it in person here in town.
- Fill out DVS Form 15, the application for the state park lifetime pass.
- Bring a copy of your DD 214 or an equivalent discharge document that shows your character of service and dates of service.
- Bring proof of New Mexico residency: a current New Mexico driver's license or ID, a copy of your voter registration, or the residency page of your latest New Mexico income tax return.
- Walk in to the Department of Veterans' Services office in Alamogordo at 411 10th Street #107, phone (575) 437-4635. Walk-in applications are processed while you wait.
You can also mail or send your application electronically. New Mexico State Parks says those passes should arrive within 14 days after the department has all of your documents. The pass is a hang tag for your rearview mirror. Sign it, and link it to your ReserveAmerica account before you book any campsites, because there are no refunds for reservations made before the pass was linked. The department's statewide line is 1-866-433-8387.
How many veterans have signed up so far?
Plenty. The program started July 1, 2025, after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 161. In its first full year, the state issued more than 11,000 passes to eligible veterans, according to a Los Alamos Daily Post report on the program's first year. It is a simple, meaningful way the state says thank you, and with Veterans Day coming up, it is a great time to share it with the veterans in your life.
What about disabled veterans and active-duty families at Holloman?
The older Veterans Annual Day Use Pass and Veterans Camping Passes for New Mexico resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability were discontinued after July 1, 2025. Passes already issued stay valid until they expire, and then those veterans can contact the department about the lifetime pass.
For active-duty families, New Mexico resident active-duty members can still buy the discounted Active-Duty Military Annual Camping Pass for $150 a year. And right now every New Mexico resident pays no day-use fee at state parks from October 1 through April 30, which I covered in my Oliver Lee State Park guide.
What does this mean for veterans living in or moving to Alamogordo?
Alamogordo is home to a lot of veterans, and benefits like this add up. With Oliver Lee about 12 miles from town and White Sands, the Sacramento Mountains and several lake parks within a day's drive, a lifetime pass makes it easy to get outdoors all year. Veterans buying a home here should also look at the veteran property tax exemption in Otero County, and you can find this year's local events in Veterans Day in Alamogordo 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do New Mexico veterans get into state parks free?
Yes, New Mexico resident veterans can get a free lifetime pass for day use and camping at all 35 state parks. You apply through the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services.
Where do I apply for the veterans state park pass in Alamogordo?
Apply at the Department of Veterans' Services office at 411 10th Street #107, phone (575) 437-4635. Walk-in applications are processed while you wait.
What documents do I need for the veterans state park pass?
You need DVS Form 15, a copy of your DD 214 or equivalent discharge document, and proof of New Mexico residency. A current New Mexico driver's license or ID, voter registration, or state tax return residency page works.
Does the veterans pass cover camping?
Yes, it covers developed camping, day use and utility fees for the pass holder. It does not cover reservation fees, cabins, yurts or group sites.
Can out-of-state veterans at Holloman get the pass?
No, the lifetime pass is only for New Mexico resident veterans. Every New Mexico resident also pays no day-use fee at state parks from October 1 through April 30.
Details come from New Mexico State Parks, the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services (DVS Form 15 and its office list) and the Los Alamos Daily Post, checked October 30, 2026. Rules can change, so confirm with the Department of Veterans' Services before you apply.