SANTA FE – The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish is accepting applications for its 2025-2026 Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grants through Friday, May 9, 2025. These grants are available to not-for-profit organizations and federal, state and local government agencies. Entities can apply for up to $20,000 per project. Recipients may use grant funds for projects that enhance the recreational use of side-by-sides, ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles on public lands. Projects promoting OHV safety or mitigating impacts from OHVs also qualify. Law enforcement agencies are eligible for special grant funds of up to $15,000 to conduct OHV patrols, control paved road use of OHVs, and enforce the provisions of the OHV Act (66-3-1001 through 66-3-1021 NMSA).
Previous grants have funded the purchasing of the necessary safety gear to equip children under the age of 18 with DOT-approved helmets and eye protection. Other projects have provided for the maintenance and ongoing upkeep of the Gallup Red Rock Motorsports Complex trail system, improvements to the trail leading up to Greenie Peak near the village of Red River and OHV safety and awareness signage throughout the state of New Mexico.
Members of the New Mexico Motorized Off-Highway Vehicle Alliance, a previous OHV grant recipient, work to clear blowdown on the Elephant Rock Motorcycle Trail near the village of Red River.
New Mexico OHV safety and awareness signage
Last year’s recipients included Region II Emergency Medical Services, Red Rock Motorsports Club in Gallup, Red River Off-Road Coalition, Village of Los Lunas and the Cliffhangers 4WD Club of Farmington. Special law enforcement grants have funded numerous hours of dedicated OHV patrols and OHV safety by agencies around the state in the past.
OHV grants are funded by resident and non-resident user-generated revenues from OHV registrations and permits, collected in the state’s Trail Safety Fund and administered by the Department. No General Fund monies are used for OHV grants.
Grant application forms and information can be downloaded from the Department’s OHV program website. Completed applications must be emailed to the OHV program manager at
All OHVs operated on public lands in New Mexico must be registered. All OHV riders and passengers under the age of 18 must wear an approved helmet and eye protection, and operators under the age of 18 must carry proof of having completed OHV safety training.
