White Sands National Monument
White Sands National Monument
White Sands National Monument features great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand. The glistening 275 square miles of desert boasts the world's largest gypsum dune field. White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of this unique dune field.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Cliff SpencerPhone Number: 505-679-2599
Entrance Fees: Adult (16 & older): $3 (valid for 7 days); Child (under 16): Free; White Sands National Monument Annual Passport: $20; Lake Lucero Tour Adult (16 & older): $3; Lake Lucero Tour Child (under 16): $1.50; Lake Lucero Tour Senior: $1.50; Moonlight Bicycle Tour Adult: $5; Moonlight Bicycle Tour Child (under 16): $2.50
Sights: Tularosa Basin; Dunes Drive; Interdune Boardwalk
Important Dates
Established as Park: July 25, 1933By The Numbers
Acres: 143,733.00Highest Point: (4116 feet)
Annual Visitation: 440,927 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :32.758980 / -106.326370 (map it)
State: NM
Nearby Big City: Holloman Air Force Base, NM
Gateway Communities: Holloman Air Force Base, NM; Alamogordo, NM; La Luz, NM; Tularose, NM
Nearby Airports: El Paso International Airport (ELP)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : No
Park Photos
White Sands Ripples
Jonathan Larsen
White Sands, Dune With ...
Sigen Photagraphy
White Sands Craters
Natalia Bratslavsky
View More White Sands Photos
In Detail
Animals A Checklist of Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians and Insects of White Sands National Monument INTRODUCTION Forty-four species of mammals, twenty-six species of reptiles, six species of amphibians and ne ... read more.
Camping 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. The closest public campgrounds ... read more.
Geology Natural Features & Ecosystems The obvious natural feature of this monument is the pure gypsum dunes, but perhaps less obvious are the sources of the dunes, Lake Lucero and Alkali Flat. These two area ... read more.
History Formal recognition for the uniqueness of the white sands of southern New Mexico came on January 18, 1933, when President Herbert Hoover, acting under the authority of the "Antiquities Act of 1906", ... read more.
In A Nutshell Climate Averages Average Temperatures and Precipitation This table shows the monthly temperatures and precipitation at White Sands National Monument averaged ... read more.
Just For Kids Be A Junior Ranger Become a Junior Dunes Ranger When You Visit! The Junior Dunes Ranger program is a program for kids visiting the park with their families. It is a way to learn more about White San ... read more.
Lodging & Dining Lodging There is no lodging within White Sands National Monument. The nearest motels are in Alamogordo (14 miles east) and Las Cruces (52 miles west). Alamogordo motels and RV parks. Las Cruces mote ... read more.
Park Regulations & Safety Desert Safety Have a Safe Trip!! Please take these words seriously. There are real dangers when you recreate on public land, but you can reduce or avoid these dangers by understanding your outdoor e ... read more.
Planning Your Visit Directions Getting There The visitor center is located on U.S. Highway 70, 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Travelers from Carlsbad Caverns to s ... read more.
Plants White Sands National Monument is located at the northern limits of the Chihuahuan Desert, and as expected, the majority of plants are drought tolerant species . In addition, many of these plants mu ... read more.
Preservation Centennial Initiative 2016 Centennial Vision On August 25, 2006- the 90th anniversary of the National Park Service - Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne launched the National Park Centennial In ... read more.
Things To Do Picnicking There are two shaded picnic tables adjacent to the Visitor Center at the park entrance. There are three picnic areas in the heart of the sands near the end of the Dunes Drive, with a to ... read more.
Visitor Services The Historic Adobe Visitor Center The Visitor Center building complex at White Sands National Monument is an excellent example of Spanish pueblo-adobe ("Pueblo-Revival") architecture constructed dur ... read more.
Walking & Hiking Playa Trail Distance from Visitor Center: 2.5 miles (4 km) Length of trail: 500 yards (457 m), round-trip Description of trail: This is a short, level trail that leads to a small playa. A playa is a ... read more.
Winter Activities Sledding Sledding down the slip face of dunes is a popular activity at White Sands National Monument. Most sledders use waxed plastic snow saucers (which can be purchased at the park gift shop). Cho ... read more.
Recent News
- Park Fees Threaten General Access to Public Lands July 7, 2008, 11:00 am
- Tale Of Lost Love Haunts White Sands July 2, 2008, 10:53 am
- Kevin Schneider Named Superintendent of White Sands April 23, 2008, 12:26 pm
White Sands In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
