The McGregor Range includes over 606,000 acres of withdrawn public lands on the west side of Otero Mesa (Click here for map).  These lands are jointly managed by the BLM and the U.S. Army, in accordance with the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 and subsequent McGregor Range Resource Management Plan (2006).

The range is open to the public when authorized by the Army through a “Fort Bliss Training Complex (FBTC) Recreational Access Permit”.  The range is closed to the public during training exercises.  After receiving a permit, you must receive permission to enter the range on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis.

The public may drive through the range without permit only on State Road 506 and on County Roads.  Use of all other roads requires a permit from the Army.  The public is not authorized to drive off of established roads.

Instructions for visiting the McGregor Range:  

• Each adult must possess a Fort Bliss Training Complex (FBTC) Access Permit, and each vehicle must display an FBTC Vehicle Access Pass.  Minors will be listed on the responsible adult's form.
• Vehicle passes must be visible on the dashboard of all vehicles when on the FBTC.
• After you obtain an access permit and vehicle pass, you must call Range Control (915-569-9240) on the day you plan to visit to receive daily permission to access the range.
• All hunters must show proof of passing a State-approved hunter safety course before the Access Permit will be validated for hunting.  Hunter safety cards must be in personal possession while hunting.
• Firearms used for hunting on Fort Bliss must be registered with Fort Bliss.  Firearms registration must be in personal possession while hunting.
• BLM does not issue hunting passes, nor register firearms. Those are only done by Ft. Bliss.

Special note for Guides and Outfitters:

• Guiding and Outfitting activities are authorized by the Bureau of Land Management through Special Recreation Permits (SRPs). Information regarding SRPs is found at: http://www.blm.gov/nm/st/en/prog/recreation/special_recreation.html
• Contact Las Cruces District to request an SRP, at least 180 days in advance of your proposed activity.

You can obtain both the Fort Bliss Weapons Permit and the FBTC Access permit (hunting or recreation) permits at the following Fort Bliss Pass Offices; the Bureau of Land Management does not issue Fort Bliss Weapons Permits:

• Robert E. Lee Pass Gate (just west of intersection of Airway Blvd and Airport Rd in El Paso) 915-568-3215 (open 24/7). Close to the El Paso International Airport.
• Chaffee Gate Pass; (Off of Fred Wilson east of US 54) 915-568-6853 (0500 to 2100 hrs, M-F).
• Recreation only FBTC Range Access Pass: Available at above offices and the Las Cruces District Office of the Bureau of Land Management (1800 Marquess), Las Cruces, NM; 575-525-4300 (0745 to 1630 hrs, M-F) (closed for federal holidays)

Fees None. Season/Hours Open year-round, although the range is closed to the public during Army training exercises. Closure is made known on a day-by-day basis. Recreation Guidelines • BLM Recreation Guidelines Special Rules • The public may drive through the range without permit only on  State Road 506 and on County Roads.  Use of all other roads requires a permit from the Army. Maps • Map of McGregor Range  • BLM: Crow Flats, Alamogordo, Las Cruces • USGS: Numerous • See Contact Information below to obtain maps or visit the Public Lands Information Center. Contact Information Las Cruces District Office 1800 Marquess Street Las Cruces, NM  88005-3370 575.525.4300 Fort Bliss Hunting Information