AUSTIN -- For the first time in the nearly two decades that the state has owned the property, the controversy-dogged Christmas Mountains are being opened to the public.

That was the word Thursday from Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, who said that hikers and campers at Big Bend National Park in far West Texas can now cross into the mountain range thanks to an easement granted by his office.

Patterson, a Republican, said he sent a copy of the permanent easement to Big Bend Superintendent William Wellman on Wednesday. Under it, hikers can make their way onto the 9,269-acre state tract through a mile-long boundary with the national park.

It's the only legal way into the mountain range, which is otherwise surrounded by private property. However, Patterson said getting there requires a tough hike.

"With our easement, the Christmas Mountains are open to Big Bend National Park visitors," he said.

For months, Patterson has drawn criticism over his handling of the property. He had earlier signaled his intention to sell the mountains to private interests, in apparent violation of an understanding with the conservation group that originally donated the mountains to the General Land Office in 1991.

When he accepted the gift, then-Land Commission Gary Mauro said in a letter to the donors that it came with the understanding that the mountains would remain in state hands or go only to the National Park Service.

In late January, the park service submitted a plan to acquire the property. But Patterson, a gun-rights advocate, said he opposed such a transfer if it meant the federal agency would enforce its usual firearms restrictions on the property.

The School Land Board, a three-member panel over which Patterson presides, still has not considered the park service proposal. However, it rejected two private bids after months of outcry.

Patterson said he has directed his staff to work with Congress and the park service to eliminate what he described as barriers to transferring the tract to the federal government.

He mentioned specifically that Texans should have the right to carry guns on the property.

He said in a statement Thursday that the new easement means that Texans can visit the property and maintain their right to carry guns.

"Imagine that -- accessible through Big Bend, yet it protects Texans' Second Amendment rights," Patterson said.

The announcement was greeted as good news by the environmentalist who has led efforts to keep the Christmas Mountains in public hands. "This marks the first time since the state has owned it that the public will be able to go on it," said Luke Metzger, director of Environment Texas.