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White Sands National Monument
At the
northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain ringed valley called the
Tularosa Basin that encompasses 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 have created the world's largest
gypsum dune field. The brilliant white dunes are ever changing: growing,
cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Slowly but relentlessly the sand,
driven by strong southwest winds, covers everything in its path. White Sands
National Monument preserves a major portion of this gypsum dune field, along
with the plants and animals that have adapted to these desert conditions in a
constantly changing environment. Only plants that grow rapidly enough to survive
burial by moving dunes, or small animals that have evolved a white coloration
that camouflages them in the gypsum sand can survive in these harsh
conditions. Formal
recognition for the uniqueness of the white sands of southern New Mexico came on
January 18, 1933, when President Herbert Hoover, proclaimed and established a
White Sands National Monument.
An eight-mile scenic drive with exhibits at
pullouts along the driveway, leads from the Visitor Center into the heart of the
dunes. Visitors can stop at parking
areas along the drive and walk in the white sands. Children can enjoy the fun of
sliding down the giant sand dunes. Allow an hour driving time for the 16-mile
roundtrip, plus time for walking, photography, sliding down dunes, or stopping
at pullouts. For those who would like to explore the dunes on foot, the Big Dune
Trail is a one-mile self-guided nature trail. Auto Touring, Backpacking, Biking,
Bird Watching, Hiking, Interpretive Programs, Nature Walks, and unbelievable
Stargazing are also available. If you can
plan a late afternon
trip to White Sands,
do not miss viewing a
spectacular
sunset in the
dunes.
It is
like none you have ever seen
and should not be missed. As the red sky light up, you will feel like you
are in the middle of a volcano field. Call the
visitor center for more information
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Your first stop should be the White Sands Visitor
Center, which includes a museum, information desk, book store, gift shop
and restrooms. Allow approximately 30 minutes for Visitor Center
activities.
An eight-mile scenic drive leads from the Visitor
Center into the heart of the dunes. Wayside exhibits at pullouts along
the drive provide information about the park. Numerous parking areas
along the drive allow visitors to stop and walk in the white sands.
Allow 40 minutes driving time for the 16-mile round trip, plus
additional time for walking, photography or stopping at pullouts.
For those who would like to explore the dunes on
foot, the Big Dune Trail is a one-mile self-guided nature trail. The
Interdune Boardwalk is a wheelchair-accessible 1/4-mile nature trail.
The Alkali Flat Trail is a 4 1/2-mile round trip backcountry trail
through the heart of the dunes and is recommended for experienced hikers
only.
Three picnic areas with sheltered tables and pit toilets are
located at the end of the scenic drive. No water is available anywhere
along the dunes drive. Picnic areas are available on a first-come,
first-served basis.
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Special tours |
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Museum of Space
history
If you have the time ,on your way to
White Sands National Monument, stop of
at the
Museum of Space
history and discover why New
Mexico is a land of both Scenic Beauty and modern day history.
For
more Information
Click Here.
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Lake Lucero Tours
Most of the gypsum sand that forms the
white sands dune field originates in Lake Lucero, a dry lake bed in the
southwestern corner of the National Monument. Large gypsum crystals,
called selenite, are formed here. As the crystals are exposed to the
weather, they break down into sand-size particles, which are blown by
southwesterly winds into
the dune field. Due to military activities, public access to Lake Lucero
is allowed only on scheduled ranger-guided tours.
Lake Lucero trip are usually on the last
Sat. or Sun of month.
Call for
Reservations. Limit 30 cars.
Reservations- (505) 479-6124 or
(505) 679-2599
How to Get
There
Tours begin at the Small Missile Range Gate to the White Sands
Missile Range, located on U.S. Highway 70, 25 miles west of the White
Sands National Monument headquarters, between mileposts 174 and 175 (see
map in map section). Visitors will drive their own vehicles.
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Trinity
Site
On July 16, 1945 the world changed with the
explosion of the first atomic bomb. The explosion took place at
Trinity Site which is on what is now White Sands Missile Range.
Trinity is a national historic landmark which is open to the public
twice a year.
Tour Schedule
For
Information and Reservations call (505)
678-1134/1700.
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Information and Maps |
Hours
of Operation:
Seasons The Monument is open daily, except
Christmas Day
Summer Hours
(Memorial Day through mid-August):
Dunes Drive- 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Visitor Center- 8 AM - 7 PM,
Winter Hours:
Dunes Drive -
7:00 AM to sunset.
Visitor Center - 8 AM - 5:00 PM,
Programs/Events
- call 505-479-6124 or 505-679-2599
Visitor
Center location - on U.S. Highway 70, 16 miles south of Alamogordo,
NM
.
Mailing Address
- White Sands
National Monument PO Box 1086Holloman AFB, NM 88330
e-Mail
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Information
Website
-
www.nps.gov/whsa
Getting There
White
Sands National Monument is located along U.S. Highway 70/82, 15
miles west of Alamogordo.
Follow signs and map below for last few miles.
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 two
hours.
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