US Army’s Seizure of New Mexico Border Land Leaves Fate of CDT Southern Terminus Uncertain

Roughly 110,000 acres of federal land along the US-Mexico border in New Mexico, previously managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), was abruptly transferred into US Army control and designated a National Defense Area (NDA) last month, sparking widespread confusion and alarm among local communities and outdoor recreationists.

While federal officials cite enhanced border security and the protection of sensitive natural and cultural resources as primary objectives, the transfer has led to widespread uncertainty, including for Continental Divide Trail hikers hoping to reach the trail’s Southern Terminus. 

The newly designated NDA directly encompasses both the Crazy Cook Monument and Antelope Wells, the trail’s traditional southern termini. The affected section of the CDT extends about 10 miles between Crazy Cook and the Big Hatchet Mountains Wilderness Study Area. What does this mean for thru-hikers hoping to hike the entire trail from Mexico to Canada? 

In short: so far, no one exactly knows.

Can CDT Hikers Still Access the Southern Terminus?

If the last 10 miles of the CDT were to close, it would undoubtedly sever a symbolic and practical connection for thousands of thru-hikers aspiring to trek a continuous footpath from Mexico to Canada.

Yet the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) continued to shuttle northbound thru-hikers to the terminus through its planned end date, May 15 — one month after the new NDA was established.

According to CDTC Executive Director Teresa Martinez, the organization is not aware of any thru-hikers being detained or facing difficutly accessing this section of the trail so far. 

“We’re working with elected officials, local communities, and US Border Patrol to understand the impacts that this land transfer will have,” the organization wrote in a recent social media post.

With most northbound thru-hikers now well on their way toward Canada, the organization has some breathing room and is hoping BLM and the US Army can reach an agreement when it comes to the CDT. But unless and until such an agreement emerges, the fate of the Southern Terminus remains uncertain. 

“We are working closely with the Bureau of Land Management to balance the border mission and established relationships with land users with safety being our top priority,” Army spokesman David Nunn told The Trek via email.

Why So Much Uncertainty?

US Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hesgeth two weeks ago demanding more transparency about the NDA.

Much of the confusion surrounding the new NDA is because of the abrupt nature of the transfer. An “emergency withdrawal” allowed the Army to request the transfer on an expedited basis, bypassing standard administrative procedures like public comment periods and detailed environmental impact assessments.

About the New Mexico National Defense Area

The transfer went into effect on April 15 and is set to last for three years. However, federal officials have indicated it will remain in place as long as necessary to achieve “100% operational control of the border,” suggesting a potential for extension beyond the initial period. 

The NDA spans Dona Ana, Luna, and Hidalgo Counties and extends significantly beyond the traditional Roosevelt Reservation, a 60-foot strip of land along the US-Mexico border that was set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt for border control purposes. The zone now under Army control cuts as much as 3.5 miles into New Mexico in some areas.

Recreation in the NDA: Is it Allowed?

One unsettling consequence of the NDA designation is the potential prohibition of public activities. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense’s Joint Task Force-Southern Border told USA Today on May 17 that “hunting and hiking inside the National Defense Areas is no longer allowed.”

Unauthorized entry is subject to federal prosecution under Title 50 of the US Code. Penalties include up to one year in custody and fines up to $100,000. Reports indicate that hundreds of individuals (most of them migrants) have already been charged with unauthorized entry since the transfer took effect.

Hegseth wrote on X that people crossing into the area from either side of the border would be charged to the “FULLEST extent of the law.”

Yet at the same time, Martinez stressed that the CDTC has not heard reports of anyone having their CDT hike disrupted by the new NDA, and that the organization remains hopeful that the BLM and Army can reach an agreement that will allow for hikers to continue accessing the terminus as normal.

Lack of clarity surrounding the NDA’s boundaries has added an additional layer of uncertainty. Federal judges have reportedly dismissed cases where prosecutors could not demonstrate that individuals knew they were stepping onto military land. This is largely due to an initial lack of warning signs facing north (from the US side).

Signage installation was reportedly expected to be completed by the end of May. The CDTC is asking hikers whether they have noticed any signs along the trail relating to the NDA.

Action in the Face of Uncertainty

The CDTC and the wider trail community are actively seeking on-the-ground feedback from hikers. Given the dynamic and uncertain nature of this situation, real-time information from those attempting to navigate the region is invaluable.

Hikers are encouraged to report any observations, signage, or encounters to the CDTC at [email protected] to help update resources. This effort is crucial to understanding the rapidly changing reality on the ground and adapting to these unprecedented restrictions.

This article was updated on May 31 2025 to include commentary from the US Army.