9-07-2025 10:18am

Trinity Site Tour this October 18, 2025 & RECA Reminder

Chris Edwards Editor

The infamous Trinity site near Alamogordo will be open to the public on the third Saturday in October.

The Trinity Site is where the first atomic bomb was tested at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time on July 16, 1945. Visitors on the Trinity Site Tour usually see Ground Zero, “Jumbo” bomb casing, the McDonald House, one of the old instrumentation bunkers, historical photos, a Fatman bomb casing, and part of the original crater left by the explosion revealing “Trinitite.” Anyone can drive to the tour on their own. Bring car registration, proof of insurance, and a photo ID. If you are in a rental car, bring the rental car agreement and a photo ID. The Stallion Gate will be open for entrance from 8am to 2pm and the site closes at 3:30. There is no food or water or other services along the route, so come prepared. Port-a-johns are available. Riders must not leave the road due to the presence of unexploded ordnance. Photographs may be taken at the Trinity Site but not anywhere else along the route. Dogs are welcome but they must be well-behaved, leashed and picked up after. Bring bags for dog waste.

Saturday October 18, 2025; gates open to incoming traffic from 8am-2pm, tour concludes at 3:30pm

The open house event schedule will be open with access to the site at Stallion Gate off of highway 380, and the event beginning at 8 a.m. with the gate closing at 2 p.m. and the event ending at 3:30 p.m.

The only date for access to the Trinity Site Open House is October 18, 2025 the next event won't be until October of 2026.

The Trinity Site is closely connected to Alamogordo, New Mexico, because the test occurred within the former Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range, now known as the White Sands Missile Range, near the city. The detonation of the first atomic bomb had a significant and lasting impact on the region, particularly on the unsuspecting residents of the surrounding Tularosa Basin, including those in Alamogordo.

Geographic connection

Part of a military range: The Trinity Site was chosen for its isolation, as it was already part of the vast Alamogordo Bombing Range established in 1942. This military control provided the secrecy and security needed for the Manhattan Project's final test. After the test, the range was incorporated into what is now the White Sands Missile Range.

Proximity: The test site is located about 65 miles north of Alamogordo, within the larger Tularosa Basin. The explosion was powerful enough to be seen and felt from a great distance, with the flash and mushroom cloud visible from Alamogordo and beyond.

Public access: Today, the site's official address is often associated with Alamogordo. Public access to the Trinity Site is heavily restricted, as it is still part of an active military installation. Open house tours are hosted once a year, and visitors can access the site from the Alamogordo side by joining a guided caravan.

Local Impact of the Trinity Test

Unknowing "Downwinders": Residents of the Tularosa Basin, including those near Alamogordo, became the world's first victims of nuclear fallout. Known as "Downwinders," they were not informed about the test or the dangers of radiation.

Health consequences: A large plume of radioactive fallout drifted over inhabited areas to the northeast. Many residents collected rainwater and ate local produce, which was contaminated with radiation. In the decades that followed, families in the region, including Otero County where Alamogordo is located, reported unusually high incidences of cancer and other serious health problems.

Government cover-up: Immediately after the explosion, Army officials issued a press release claiming a remote ammunition dump had accidentally exploded on the Alamogordo Bombing Range. The true nature of the event was only revealed after the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Japan.

Lack of compensation: While the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) of 1990 provided compensation to some Downwinders near the Nevada Test Site, it did not include those affected by the Trinity Test until this year. Advocacy groups like the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium continue to fight for recognition and compensation for New Mexico's victims and finally gained a win in 2025.

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was reauthorized and expanded in 2025 allowing for new claims until December 31, 2027, and expanding eligible populations.

For residents of Alamogordo, this means that individuals who were physically present in downwind areas of New Mexico and have developed certain radiation-related illnesses can now file for compensation. Eligibility requires physical presence in New Mexico for at least one year between 1944 and 1962 and a diagnosis of a specific illness, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, or certain other cancers. Applications are filed with the Department of Justice, with new claim forms available and an online portal expected to launch by December 2025.

Key Changes in the 2025 RECA Expansion

Reauthorization and Extension: The OBBBA reauthorized RECA, allowing for new claims to be filed until December 31, 2027

The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) was reauthorized and expanded in 2025 by allowing for new claims until December 31, 2027, and expanding eligible populations. For residents of Alamogordo, this means that individuals who were physically present in downwind areas of New Mexico and have developed certain radiation-related illnesses can now file for compensation. Eligibility requires physical presence in New Mexico for at least one year between 1944 and 1962 and a diagnosis of a specific illness, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, or certain other cancers. Applications are filed with the Department of Justice, with new claim forms available and an online portal expected to launch by December 2025.

Key Changes in the 2025 RECA Expansion

Expansion of Eligible Populations: The bill expanded the scope of eligible populations under RECA, though the specific details of these changes are complex.

New Filing Platform: An online claim filing portal is available. Beware of scammers.

Reauthorization and Extension: The OBBBA reauthorized RECA, allowing for new claims to be filed until December 31, 2027.
Expansion of Eligible Populations: The bill expanded the scope of eligible populations under RECA, though the specific details of these changes are complex.
New Filing Platform: An online claim filing portal is under development by the Department of Justice and is projected to be operational by December 2025.

Eligibility for Alamogordo Residents

Geographic & Temporal Presence: You must have been physically present in New Mexico for at least one year between September 24, 1944, and November 6, 1962.
Specified Illnesses: You must be diagnosed with a compensable illness, including:
- Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
- Multiple myeloma
- Other lymphomas (other than Hodgkin's)
- Primary cancers of the thyroid, breast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, gallbladder, salivary gland, urinary bladder, brain, colon, ovary, liver (unless cirrhosis or hepatitis B is present), or lung.

How to File a Claim

Obtain Forms: Access the new claim forms for applications under the amended RECA on the Department of Justice website.

Provide Documentation: You will need to submit supporting documentation, which may include proof of residency, employment records, and medical evidence of a qualified illness.
Submit the Application: Submit your application to the Department of Justice.
Utilize the New Portal: Once it is operational, you can utilize the online claim filing portal to submit your application electronically.