White Sands
Located: New Mexico - Established: December 20, 2019
*Photos and most text courtesy of the National Park Service
The Park: The story of White Sands National Park began 280 million years ago when the Permian Sea covered most of the southwestern United States. Over millions of years, the rising and falling of this ancient sea left behind thick layers of mineral gypsum and other dissolved minerals on the seafloor.
Over time, selenite crystals formed on a dry lakebed. Strong winds blew the crystals about the lands thus turning them into small grains of sand that became polished brilliant white.
White Sands was originally established as a National Monument in 1933 by president Herbert Hoover to preserve “the white sands and additional features of scenic, scientific and educational interest.” In addition to containing the world’s largest gypsum dune field, the park is home to the globe’s largest collection of Ice-Age fossilized footprints dating back more than 10,000 years.
When to visit: The park is open every day except December 25th. Occasionally the park is closed when missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range commences! The fall months offer the most desirable weather. Summers can be excessively hot (100° +) and winter coughs up freezing cold temperatures. Spring is windy!
Terry and I had planned to visit National Park #62 in March of 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic through a wrench into those plans! We hope 2021 will provide us the opportunity to visit White Sands!
Where to stay: There are no accommodations within the park. Alamogordo, NM is 13 miles form the park and offers lodging, as does Las Cruses, which is located 50 miles from the park.
Backcountry camping is permitted within the park boundaries.
What to do:
Dunes Drive is an 8-mile (one way) scenic drive from the Visitor Center into the heart of the gypsum dune field. The first 4 miles are paved. The last four miles are hard packed gypsum sand road. Along the way there are opportunities to explore the dunes, view outdoor exhibits, take photos, hike trails and and learn the natural and cultural history of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.
Hiking: The Interdune Boardwalk is a wheelchair friendly, 4/10th of a mile (round trip) elevated boardwalk that leads you out amongst the fragile dunescape.
The Playa Trail is a short family-friendly trail (0.5 miles round trip) that leads to a small playa (lakebed).Five interpretive panels are located along the trail where you will learn about this chameleon landscape that changes from a brown dry lake bed to one teaming with life after a rainstorm.
The Alkali Flat Trail at the end of the Dunes Drive is a strenuous 5-mile loop trail. Do not be deceived by its name as this trail is NOT flat! This trail takes you up and over steep dunes to the edges of Alkali Flat – the dry lakebed of Lake Otero. There is no shade, water or toilet facilities along this trail. Take plenty of water!
Bicycling: Biking along the Dunes Drive is another popular activity. The first 4 miles of the road are paved. The last 4 miles are on hard packed gypsum. Road bikes with skinny street tires are not recommend on the sand-portion of Dunes Drive.
Sledding: Sledding down the dunes is a popular activity at White Sands. Sand is not as slippery as snow and sliding down the dunes can take some practice. Waxed plastic snow saucers work best.
Experience these Check List:
Stop by the Visitor Center
Take the Dunes Drive
Sled down the dunes
Hike or bike about the gypsum