State invests $6 million in trails and outdoor infrastructure - New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division

State invests $6 million in trails and outdoor infrastructure

29 of 39 funded projects expand access in rural and Tribal communities

SANTA FE — The Outdoor Recreation Division of the Economic Development Department of New Mexico is investing nearly $6 million to build and enhance more than 355 miles of trails and support 288 jobs across 21 counties.

The investment comes through the division’s Trails+ Grant and represents the largest amount awarded in a single round to date. The total will be amplified by an additional $4.8 million in matching — funds bringing the total public investment to $10.8 million.

For this round, 59 applicants requested a record-setting $12.7 million in funding. Of the 39 projects ultimately awarded, 29 will provide enhanced outdoor access in rural and Tribal areas.

“Expanding trails and outdoor access is a smart way to grow New Mexico’s outdoor economy sustainably — an economy that adds billions to our state’s GDP,” said Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Rob Black. “These projects provide jobs, keep our forests and watersheds healthy and encourage economic growth, especially in our rural communities.”

“It matters that Trails+ projects reach every part of the state because access shouldn’t depend on where you live,” said Outdoor Recreation Division Director Karina Armijo. “When communities have places to get outside, it creates real benefits for local economies and quality of life.”

Awarded projects range from creating educational trail signs, constructing ADA-friendly trails and campsites, designing and constructing bike trails and pump tracks, constructing a pedestrian bridge, feasibility studies and more.

“This $1 million award for an accessible pedestrian bridge over the Pecos River is a great investment in our community and one of Carlsbad’s most valued spaces,” said Carlsbad Mayor Richard D. Lopez.

“This award allows us to complete a feasibility study for a river surf wave and master plan for Rotary Park,” said Assistant City Manager of the City of Truth or Consequences Traci Alvarez. “We are ensuring that residents and visitors alike can safely and consistently experience the beauty of our landscape.” 

To explore all 39 projects in depth, visit www.nmoutside.com/news.

The Trails+ Grant is administered by Outdoor Recreation Division, a division of Economic Development New Mexico. Since the Trails+ Grant program was established in 2020, $39.8 million has been awarded to 282 projects across 29 counties and supported an estimated 2,650 jobs. Outdoor recreation continues to be a key driver of New Mexico’s economy, contributing $3.6 billion in value added and supporting over 31,000 jobs statewide.

The next round of applications will open July 1, 2026.

The final round of FY26 Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant recipients include:

Bernalillo 

  • City of Albuquerque, Department of Municipal Development, $1,000,000 
  • Rio Grande Community Farm, $66,000 

Chaves 

  • Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, $98,629 

Curry 

  • City of Clovis, $90,000 
  • City of Texico, $184,250 

Doña Ana 

  • Asombro Institute for Science Education, $35,000 
  • Dona Ana Village Association, $99,159 
  • Foundation for America’s Public Lands, $285,200 
  • Las Cruces Public Schools, $49,352 

Eddy 

  • City of Carlsbad, $1,000,000 
  • National Cave and Karst Research Institute, New Mexico Tech, $164,747 

Grant 

  • Heart of the Gila, $96,910 

Hidalgo 

  • Hidalgo County, $147,741 

Lea 

  • City of Eunice, $99,999 

Los Alamos 

  • The Incorporated County of Los Alamos, Community Services Department, $26,558 \

McKinley 

  • Southwest Indian Foundation, $99,000 
  • Cottonwood Gulch Expeditions, $99,999 

Mora 

  • Collins Lake Autism Center, $99,000 

Otero 

  • Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, $98,183 
  • Public Lands Interpretive Association, $99,964 
  • Sacramento Camp and Conference Center Inc., $28,000 

Quay 

  • City of Tucumcari, $99,982 

Rio Arriba 

  • National Ghost Ranch Foundation, Inc., $98,600 
  • Northern New Mexico College, $99,990 
  • Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area, $99,000 

San Miguel 

  • Friends of the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, $80,215 
  • River Source, $88,710 

Sandoval 

  • Los Amigos de Valles Caldera, $46,000 
  • Pueblo of Santa Ana/Tamaya Wellness Program, $99,999 

Santa Fe 

  • Mountain Cloud Zen Center, $49,991 
  • New Mexico Wildlife Center, $73,000 
  • Santa Fe Botanical Garden, $25,000 
  • Santa Fe Children’s Museum, $99,999 

Sierra 

  • City of Truth or Consequences, $81,212 

Taos 

  • Taos Land Trust, $68,999 
  • Enchanted Circle Trails Association, $262,342 

Torrance 

  • Forest Stewards Guild, $208,068 

Valencia 

  • City of Belen, $28,819 
  • Village of Los Lunas, $499,000 
Two trail workers sawing a fallen tree to clear a trail in a forest
Enchanted Circle Trails Association partnered with Youth Conservation Corps and Carson National Forest to improve six campgrounds and over 18 miles of trails with a Trails+ Grant.
Ramp to a dock on a small lake
The City of Carlsbad used FY25 Trails+ Grant funding to refurbish Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area at the Lower Tansill Dam.
An outdoor amphitheater and classroom in the desert
Asombro Institute for Science Education built a 75-foot amphitheater and outdoor classroom in the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park with a Trails+ Grant and will build a shade structure next.

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