CDT Hikers: American citizenship, army permission is now required to access the South Terminal

TOCceso to the South Terminal of the Continental Divide Trail, located along the border between the United States and Mexico in New Mexico, is now restricted due to the newly established National Defense Area of ​​New Mexico (NDA), but the coalition of Trail of Continental Division (CDTC) has received guidance on permission process For hikers.

«He has taken several months, but now there is an established process for CDT hikers to access the southern terminal, and we have coordinated a transport service in accordance with the US Army address. UU. In Fort Huachuca,» said CDTC Communications Director Audra Labert, in an email to the walk.

It is reported that the CDT is advised through the south, many of which they plan to finish through next month, which must apply up to three weeks in advance to access the final 1.1 miles of trails or finish their walks outside the NDA (that is, not at the official south end).

What is the NDA of New Mexico and how does it affect the CDT?

The NDA of New Mexico was established in April 2025 when more than 100,000 acres of land along the border between the United States and Mexico in New Mexico were transferred to the US Army. UU. For a period of three years with the declared purpose of establishing the control of the border.

The NDA covers the 1.1 most southern miles of the CDT, the southern terminal monument and the portions of Commodore and Crazy Cook roads, which have long been popular routes for hikers who complete the path.

The abrupt land transfer caused a violent reaction from the conservation and recreation groups outdoors that feared the loss of access to what, until that moment, had been public lands. Without definitive orientation of the army or the US land administration office. UU., The CDTC adopted an approach to wait and see and continued to operate its southern term transport service during the spring season.

Now, it seems that the orientation has been finished and is in its place for hikers legally accessing the terminal. From now on, those who wish to visit these areas must obtain a special permit of the United States Army in Fort Huachua before entering the NDA. But there is a trap: only American citizens are eligible.

How to access the NDA

To enter the NDA, hikers must request the authorization of the United States Army. This process implies Send an access request Fort Huachuca, which includes several documentation requirements:

• A photo of a valid real identification (both front and back for driver’s licenses issued by the State)

• A passport style photograph

• A Fort Huachuca access request form completed

• All applicants will undergo a background verification

The application process can take between 2 and 21 days, with a digital access badge issued by email if approved. Again, only American citizens are eligible to request access to the NDA.

Changes in the transport of terminal of southern CDT

The Continental Coalition Divide Trail has announced that it will continue to offer a storage service in cache and water water at order this fall, as of October 6. However, due to the restrictions of the NDA, the delivery and collection location for the transport service will now be out of the area restricted in mile 2.2 to the north 2.2 (indicated by the black point on the map above).

TLDR: Yes, the path is open, but you really need permission

The CDTC has emphasized that despite the restrictions, the southern end of the path remains open. «While we cannot facilitate the issuance of permits to enter the NDA, CDTC is not discouraging people from entering the area; we are encouraging hikers to meet the US army requirement to obtain a permit to be in the recently established NDA,» Labert said.

According to him ACLUEntering a NDA without permission can result in criminal charges due to military properties, punishable with strong fines or time in jail.

As the area surrounding the South Terminal includes state lands of New Mexico, any hiker who plan New Mexico’s outdoor recreation office.

«While it is not commercial, the southern terminal that is now within a national defense area is open to US citizens,» Labert said. «Blm landsline to the US Army.

For updated information about the CDT and related services, hikers can visit the official coalition of Continental Divide Trail website.

Outstanding image: Katie Jackson

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