If you or someone you know helps take care of trails in New Mexico or works to make riding off-highway vehicles (OHVs) safer, here’s some great news—there’s more time to apply for a grant from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish!
The deadline to apply for the 2025–26 OHV Grant has been extended to Friday, May 9, 2025. That means people and groups who want to help with OHV projects still have a chance to get funding.
What Is an OHV grant?
An OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) Grant is money that the NMDGF gives to groups to help improve OHV recreation on public lands. This includes vehicles like ATVs, side-by-sides, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles. The grants can help with:
• Making trails safer and better
• Putting up safety signs
• Teaching people about safe riding
• Buying safety gear like helmets and goggles for kids
• Cleaning up and fixing trails
Police and law enforcement can also apply for special grants to help patrol OHV areas and make sure riders are following the rules.
Who can apply?
These grants are for:
• Nonprofit groups
• Government agencies (city, state, or federal)
• Law enforcement
Groups can ask for up to $20,000 per project, and police departments can ask for up to $15,000 for OHV patrols.
How have these grants helped?
In the past, this grant program helped:
• Build and take care of trails at the Gallup Red Rock Motorsports Complex
• Improve the trail up to Greenie Peak near Red River
• Clear downed trees from the Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail
• Buy helmets and goggles for kids under 18
• Post safety signs across the state
Groups like the Red River Off-Road Coalition and the Cliffhangers 4WD Club have used the money to make riding better and safer for everyone.
Where does the grant money come from?
The money for these grants doesn’t come from regular taxes. It comes from OHV users who register their vehicles or buy permits. That means people who use the trails help pay to take care of them!
How to apply
- Download the grant forms from the NMDGF OHV website
- Fill out the application
- Email it to DGF-OHVMGR@dgf.nm.gov by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9, 2025.
If you have any questions, you can contact Desi Ortiz at (505) 321-0858 or email to the address above.
Don’t miss your chance to help make OHV riding in New Mexico safer and more fun!
