State awards $3.2M in Trails+ Grants supporting 105 jobs   - New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division
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State awards $3.2M in Trails+ Grants supporting 105 jobs  

Funding approved across 13 counties, 3 Tribal communities

SANTA FE — The Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant has awarded over $3.2 million to 18 outdoor infrastructure projects across New Mexico. 

The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s (EDD) Outdoor Recreation Division is seeing a surge in demand for funding from communities that are prioritizing outdoor access. This round of FY26 grantees includes 11 first-time recipients. 

EDD received a record-breaking 56 applications totaling $12.6 million in requests, a 60% increase in applicants compared to the last round.  

“New Mexicans are proud of their expansive vistas and unique outdoor spaces,” said EDD Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “Communities across New Mexico are eager to improve accessibility and provide safe and beautiful spaces for locals and visitors to get outdoors and enjoy all that New Mexico has to offer.” 

More than $2 million in matching funds will be leveraged, further boosting the impact of the grants. The projects will support 105 jobs and improve or develop over 700 miles of trails in communities across the state. Additionally, $2 million from the Land of Enchantment Legacy Fund will be used to support ten projects. 

Trails+ awarded projects include ADA trail enhancements, amenities to improve Continental Divide Trail hiker experiences, a new campground in Hatch, NM, the development of connectors to the Rio Grande Trail (visit riograndetrailnm.org to learn more), a kids’ bike pump track for Navajo youth, trail signage upgrades, and more.  

Executive Director Prestene Garnenez of the Navajo Townsite Community Development Corporation said, “This grant will allow us to build a kids’ bike pump track for young cyclists, support our growing Navajo mountain biking community, and provide a healthy activity to connect our youth to the outdoors.” 

The final round of the FY26 Trails+ Grant is open for applications through Jan. 31, 2026, with $1.7 million targeted for distribution. Interested applicants can learn more, apply, and register for an informational webinar taking place on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at nmoutside.com. 

Awarded projects in the latest round of grants include: 

  • Catron County: New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (New Mexico Wild), $99,891 
  • Cibola County: Continental Divide Trail Coalition, $333,174 
  • Colfax County: Friends of Sugarite Canyon State Park, $26,400 
  • Doña Ana County: City of Sunland Park, $499,798; Village of Hatch, $99,999 
  • Grant County: Grant County, $352,908 
  • Guadalupe County: Guadalupe County, $499,999 
  • Hidalgo County: City of Lordsburg, $69,214 
  • McKinley County: Navajo Townsite Community Development Corporation, $33,333; The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project, $99,999 
  • Otero County: CAPPED, Inc. (Center Advancing Primary Prevention through Enlightened Decisions), $99,999 
  • Rio Arriba County: McCurdy Ministries, $99,000; National Indian Youth Leadership Development Project, $85,534 
  • Sandoval County: City of Rio Rancho, $50,807 
  • Santa Fe County: Spanish Colonial Arts Society Inc, $89,838 
  • Taos County: Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, $500,000; Taos Center for the Arts, $99,214; Town of Red River, $99,999 

Visit nmoutside.com/news to read full project descriptions. 

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four people in hardhats installing a trailhead kiosk in a forest.
Continental Divide Trail Coalition has used Trails+ Grant funding to install kiosks across Carson National Forest and collaborate with Taos Pueblo to create informational panels.
Two trail workers swinging tools in the forest surrounded by a cloud of dust on a sunny day
Rocky Mountain Youth Corps hires youth from New Mexico to restore and maintain trails in national forests across the state.
Previous grant recipient, Natural Curiosity, is developing an equine facility, preserving a historic barn at Hermosa Field Station, and is working to protect the South Palomas Creek Watershed.