New Mexico state parks
Managed by NM State Parks (EMNRD). These are statewide rules; individual parks may post stricter ones. Federal land inside New Mexico follows federal rules, and drones also follow FAA rules.
Metal detecting Not allowed
Metal detecting is prohibited unless the superintendent permits it for approved science or to retrieve a lost item.
- Permit
- None for hobby use.
- Sources
- srca.nm.gov
- Notes
- 19.5.2.24 NMAC.
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Drones Unclear
There's no general drone rule. Superintendents can restrict activities, and Bottomless Lakes bans drones.
- Permit
- Ask the park.
- Sources
- srca.nm.gov
- Verified
- 2026-10-21 · official text read
⚠️ Unclear: official sources are silent or conflicting, so we can't give a firm answer. Please check with the park directly.
Confirm with the park before you go. Individual parks can post their own closures and rules.
Machine-readable: /api/states/nm.json