From rugged mountaintops to grassy plains to lowland desert, New Mexico's hiking and camping spots exude diversity. Encompassing six of the world's seven life zones, the state's landscapes offer a taste of nearly all climes. Open space, along with diverse wildlife and plant species are plentiful in this vast and sparsely populated state. Every year the Land of Enchantment attracts millions of visitors who seek out its scenic beauty and countless outdoor recreation activities.

Federal and state lands offer an abundance of public hiking trails and campgrounds, and several Native American reservations and pueblos permit camping, hiking, hunting and fishing. While regulations differ from one agency or tribe to another, day hiking is free in many areas, with some facilities charging for vehicle entry. Campgrounds on tribal lands and on public lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service, New Mexico State Parks, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers generally require a fee. Campsite reservations are not accepted at national parks, but the New Mexico State Parks Division does offer a seasonal, reservation program. Several U.S. Forest Service recreation sites currently take advance reservations.

Most backcountry hiking and camping is free, although permits are required. As in most western states, the U.S. Forest Service and BLM land holdings are extensive in New Mexico and offer opportunities for isolated camping. Generally, you can drive on roads and pitch a tent in most areas of national forests and BLM property. Be sure your campsite is more than one-quarter mile from shores, streambeds, trails, or roads and you're bound to be in compliance with the various agencies' rules. Campers and hikers should always check for fire restrictions within each region before their arrival.

One of the nicest things about fishing in New Mexico is the year-round season for most waters. Add the broad variety of species from panfish to trout, bass and catfish, northern pike and walleye, and you have one of the best places to fish in the nation. And don’t forget about the phenomenon of winter ice fishing in the so-called desert Southwest.

ALL persons 12 years or older, while fishing in New Mexico, must have on their person a current New Mexico fishing license. Anglers 11 years of age and younger do not need a fishing license. Resident anglers age 70 and older need a Free Fishing License available at license vendors and Department of Game and Fish (www.wildlife.state.nm.us) offices. Tribes require their own licenses to fish on reservation waters.

Out-of-state anglers must purchase an annual fishing license, a one-day license or a five-day license. The fishing license year is April 1- March 31.

The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (www.wildlife.state.nm.us) provides the New Mexico Fishing Rules and Information Guide, up-to-date fishing reports, stocking reports, information on special waters and answers to other pertinent questions. The fishing report is updated every Tuesday and the stocking report is updated every Friday.

A few lakes and parts of some streams are designated “Special Trout Waters,” more commonly referred to as “Quality Waters.” On most of them, only artificial flies and lures with single, barbless hooks can be used. All have restrictions on bag and possession limits. Many Indian pueblos and reservations offer public fishing, mostly for rainbow trout, some with bass or catfish.

Not only are New Mexico's infrequent rivers lifeblood to the arid state, but they're also a source of wet ecstasy for intrepid adventurers who regularly ply their waters in all manner of craft, (rom kayaks to canoes to hypalon rafts.

Given that nearly all of the waterways rely on melting mountain snowpack for sustenance, it makes sense that the most exciting whitewater runs abound in the northern part of the state where most of the mountains are located. The unbridled Rio Grande west of Taos is the river of choice for experienced whitewater enthusiasts, while those seeking a gentler ride prefer a tributary, the dam-controlled Rio Chama. Apart from these two premier runs, which are regulated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), an assortment of smaller rivers can be navigated during the short spring runoff season, which typically begins in April.

Plying New Mexico's moving waters without benefit of a guide is recommended only for experienced boaters. Rafting, canoeing and kayaking are wilderness experiences and take place miles from the nearest telephone and often the nearest road.

Wide expanses of New Mexico offer some of the best bicycling opportunities in the world, whether your preference is street or trail. While there are thousands of accessible locations to ride in the Land of Enchantment, space limitations have forced us to offer only a handful of possibilities.
Local bicycle shops and chambers of commerce offer a wealth of further information about where to pedal for pleasure. Also, since most of New Mexico is still rural, roads might not be marked or could be on private land.