White Sands National Monument
On the web: www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and created the world's largest gypsum dune field.
White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of this unique dune field, along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this constantly changing environment.
Seeing the Park on Foot
Each of the trails in White Sands National Monument is different. You can explore the various areas and features of the dune field, so have an adventure and enjoy one or all of the park's four trails.
Be prepared when hiking in the desert. Be sure to take plenty of water and snacks and wear walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses when going hiking in the desert. A minimum of one gallon of water per person per day is recommended. There is no water in the park, so be sure to fill up at the Visitor Center before you go. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink -- you're already dehydrated by then.
You are welcome to walk anywhere within the park as long as you use an established pullout or parking area. It is recommended, though, that you start with the 6.2 miles (10 km) of marked trails. Before hiking anywhere, orient yourself to natural and human-made landmarks, such as the different mountain ranges and water towers.
A cautionary note: It is easy to become disoriented and lost in the dune field, especially when strong winds erase your footprints and obscure landmarks. A compass is strongly recommended for cross-country or off-trail hiking. And remember to avoid, whenever possible, walking across the fragile cryptobiotic crusts in the interdune areas!
If you take your pet hiking, please remember to keep it on a leash at all times for its safety and out of consideration for other visitors.
Seeing the Park by Car
Your first stop should be the White Sands visitor center, which includes a museum, orientation video, information desk, bookstore, gift shop and restrooms. Allow approximately 30 minutes for visitor center activities.
The Dunes Drive, an eight-mile scenic drive, leads from the Visitor Center into the heart of the dunes. This hard-surface roadway is suitable for cars, trailers and buses.
Allow 40 minutes driving time for the 16-mile roundtrip, plus additional time for walking, photography or stopping at pullouts.
Picnic areas and pit toilets are located near the end of the Dunes Drive. There is no water available along the Dunes Drive.
Wayside exhibits at pullouts along the Dunes Drive provide information about the natural history of the park. Numerous parking areas along the drive allow visitors to stop and walk in the white sands.
During the summer (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day) the Dunes Drive may be entered from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., except during missile closures. All vehicles must exit the Dunes Drive by 10 p.m.
From Labor Day to Memorial Day, the Dunes Drive may be entered from 7 a.m. to sunset, except during missile closures. All vehicles must exit the Dunes Drive by one hour after sunset.
Operating Hours & Seasons
The monument is open daily, except Christmas Day.
Summer hours (May 26 through September 3):
Visitor Center 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. All visitors must exit the park by 10 p.m.
Winter hours:
Visitor Center 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset.
Special Note: Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary, for visitor safety, to close the Dunes Drive for periods of up to two hours. U.S. Highway 70/82 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is also closed during times of missile testing. Visitors on a tight schedule are encouraged to call the day prior to arrival for information on closures.
Park Closures
Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary, for visitor safety, to close the Dunes Drive for periods of up to three hours. The park Visitor Center and Gift Shop remain open during missile range closures. Visitors on a tight schedule should contact the park the day before arriving to check on closures (575) 679-2599.
U.S. Highway 70 between White Sands National Monument and Las Cruces may also be closed during times of missile testing. For US 70 closure information, call (575) 678-1178.
All closures are subject to change without notice.
Lake Lucero is in the portion of White Sands that lies within Old West Country. Occasionally, the lake fills with water. When the water evaporates, the dissolved gypsum is left on the surface. Two-week advance reservation tours of Lake Lucero are conducted each month. Call 575-479-6124 or 679-2599.
Photos and some text courtesy National Park Service
