Farmington Dunes OHVA
Overview Of Farmington Dunes OHV Area
Open: Year round
Latitude / Longitude: 36.70116333, -108.2463069
Usage: Moderate
Managed by: BLM
Fee: Free
Camping: Free dispersed camping
Amenities:
One vault toilet
Location: Northwest New Mexico
Directions:
Dunes are about 5 minutes southwest from downtown Farmington NM off Hwy 371 S.
Farmington Dunes OHV Area
Over 800 acres dedicated to OHV use. This desert dune riding area primarily features wide desert riding trails through scrub brush. Riders will find nice rolling hills, plenty of jumping opportunities and miles of wide open trails for exploring.
These are not the huge empty soft sand hills and bowls that most people associate with sand dunes, but rather off roading paths that have been cut from years of OHV use.
The OHV riding area is surrounded by private land including a gravel pit and the Navajo Nation.
To ensure these lands stay open to the public, please respect private land owners and ride only in designated riding areas.
BLM Website: Farmington Dunes OHV Area
- This area can be temporarily closed for events. Call before you drive.
- NM has strict rules regarding OHV operators less than 18 years old. (see below)
- Riders less than 18 years old are NEVER allowed to carry passengers.
Rules & Regulations
New Mexico OHV Laws
Residents
- All OHV must be registered with the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division to ride on public lands. (Registration costs up to $53 for two years.)
Nonresidents
- Out of state vehicle registration is legal and accepted.
- If your state does not have OHV registration, then you must obtain a use permit to operate legally on public lands in New Mexico.
Non-resident Registration Permits
- $18 for 90 days
- $48 for two years
People from these states WILL NEED to purchase a New Mexico OHV registration permit: Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Purchase An Out Of State OHV Registration Permit: New Mexico OHV Registration.
You will need to login/create new account before you will be able to reach the registration page.
New Mexico Game and Fish: New Mexico ATV Laws
Prohibited On Public Lands
It is illegal for any person to operate an OHV:
- Carelessly, recklessly or in a negligent manner that endangers the person or property of another.
- While under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
- In pursuit of and with intent to hunt or take a species of animal or bird protected by law.
- In pursuit of or to harass livestock in any manner that negatively effects the condition of the livestock.
- Upon or within an earthen tank or other structure intended to water livestock or wildlife—except if the off-highway motor vehicle is on an off-highway motor vehicle route designated by the landowner or land management agency.
- In a manner that directly negatively effects or interferes with persons engaged in agricultural practices.
- In excess of 10 mph within 200 feet of a business, animal shelter, horseback rider, bicyclist, pedestrian, livestock or occupied dwelling. • Unless in possession of the person’s registration certificate or nonresident permit.
- Unless the vehicle is equipped with a spark arrester approved by the Forest Service, provided that a snowmobile is exempt from this provision. To report an OHV violation, visit online: www.B4uRide.com or contact: 800-366-4868.
New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Guide
Youth Safety Requirements
Children younger than 6 are not allowed to operate an ATV on public land.
Riders younger than 18:
- Are required to pass an OHV safety course.
- Need to carry the safety permit issued by the OHV safety course with them.
- Must always wear an approved helmet and eye protection
- Can never carry a passenger, even on or in an OHV designed for passengers.
- Must always be visually supervised by an adult until they have a valid drivers’ license.
- Are only allowed to operate ATVs and ROVs that are an age appropiate size as established by rule of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF).
Public Land Additional Rules
- Spark arrester required
- All OHVs operated on public land must produce less than 96 dB(A)
- Anyone operating an off-highway vehicle on public land must have a valid state license or “learners” permit.
- Ride only in areas or on trails open for use.
- All travel in the Limited OHV Area is restricted to maintained oilfield roads, on trails and two tracks that are designated and signed, or in dry, unvegetated wash bottoms that are wider than the widest part of your vehicle.
- All overnight use requires a permit.
- Firewood gathering is prohibited.
- All shooting is prohibited.
- Permits are required for commercial, competitive and organized group events.