White Sands National Monument

As you approach White Sands National Monument you witness an awe-inspiring transformation occur. The desert brush and rough lands turns into 275 miles of white glistening hills of gypsum sand. Considered one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, White Sands National Monument rises from the heart of the Tularosa Basin.

White Sands National Monument has undertaken the responsibility of preserving a major portion of this, the world’s largest, gypsum dune field along with the plants and animals that have adapted to the environment.

Exploring the park can open a multitude of opportunities for fun. Some prefer to explore the park by car, others by foot. From educational programs to photography, to hiking and sledding the opportunities for fun are endless!

Viewing the Park by Car
Before embarking on the journey through White Sands National Monument make sure to stop by the visitor center, complete with a museum, short orientation video, information desk, book store, gift shop and restrooms.

From the visitor center, take the eight-mile scenic drive known as Dunes Drive to the heart of the dunes. Spend an hour or the entire day walking the dunes, taking photos or stopping to enjoy the view.

There are designated picnic areas and pit toilets near the end of the drive. Please take note that there is not water available along the Dunes Drive. Pullouts exhibits along the drive provide information about the park.

Between Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, the Dunes Drive may be entered from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., except during missile closures.* There are no vehicles allowed in the Dunes Drive past 10 p.m.

Between Labor Day and Memorial Day, the Dunes Drive may be entered from 7 a.m. to sunset, except during missile closures.* During this period of time, all vehicles must exit the Dunes Drive by one hour after sunset.

On Foot
No two trails in White Sands National Monument are the same. You can choose to venture onto one of the park’s four trails, or you can explore different areas and features of the dunes.

Visitors are welcome to walk anywhere within the park as long as they use an established pullout or parking area.

Photography
Photography is one of the favorite things to engage in while at the park, but photographing the dunes is sometimes tricky. The best photos are taken in the morning and the evening when less the low light of the sun produces interesting colors and shadows.


Sledding
Who said you needed snow to go sledding? Sledding down the slip face of the dunes is a popular past time at the park. Most visitors choose to purchase waxes plastic snow saucers from the gift shop, but a large piece of dry cardboard works too!


Tips, Recommendations, and Things to Remember
If you have decided to explore the park by foot, it is recommended 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.

Hiking in the desert exposes you to harsh sun, dry conditions and sometimes-powerful winds. It is good to be prepared. Take plenty of water and snacks. Wear comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. A good rule of thumb is a minimum of one gallon of water per person per day. Remember, there is no water in the park past the visitor center.

Getting lost or disoriented in the gypsum dune fields is easy. If you are going to embark on cross-country or off-trail hiking make sure to take a compass and try to avoid the cryptobiotic crusts. Cryptobiotic crusts are the darker, crunchy, bumpy surface found in the low-lying interdune areas. Walking on them damages the crust and stops the soil-building process.

Pets are allowed at the monument but must be kept on a leash at all times.

Camping
There is no overnight camping within White Sands National Monument. Several public and private campgrounds and RV parks are within one hour's drive of the park.