Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
305
The surrounding mountains—the Sacramentos to the east, with their forested slopes,
and the serene San Andres to the west—are composed of sandstone, limestone, sedimen-
tary rocks, and pockets of gypsum. Over millions of years, rains and melting snows dis-
solved the gypsum and carried it down into Lake Lucero. Here, the hot sun and dry
winds evaporate the water, leaving the pure white gypsum to crystallize. Then the persis-
tent winds blow these crystals, in the form of minuscule bits of sand, in a northeastern
direction, adding them to growing dunes. As each dune grows and moves farther from
the lake, new ones form, rank after rank, in what seems an endless procession.
The dunes are especially enchanting at sunrise and under the light of a full moon, but
you'll have to camp here to experience this extraordinary sight (see “Camping,” below).
If you're not camping, you'll probably want to spend only a couple of hours here.
Refreshments and snacks can be purchased at the visitor center, along with books, maps,
posters, and other souvenirs; however, no dining or grocery facilities are available here.
ESSENTIALS
GETTING THERE
The visitor center is 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo on US
70/82. (
Note:
Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, this
road is sometimes closed for up to 2 hr. at a time.) The nearest major airport is
El Paso
International,
90 miles away.
VISITOR INFORMATION
For more information, contact
White Sands National
Monument,
P.O. Box 1086, Holloman AFB, NM 88330-1086 (
&
575/479-6124;
www.nps.gov/whsa). When driving near or in the monument, tune your radio to 1610
AM for information on what's happening.
ADMISSION FEES & HOURS
Admission is $3 (free for children 15 and under).
Memorial Day to Labor Day, the visitor center is open daily from 8am to 7pm, and
Dunes Drive is open daily from 7am to 9pm. Ranger talks and sunset strolls are given
nightly at 7 and 8:30pm during summer. During the rest of the year, the visitor center is
open daily from 8am to 5pm, and Dunes Drive is open daily from 7am to sunset.
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SEEING THE HIGHLIGHTS
The 16-mile
Dunes Drive
loops through the “heart of sands” from the visitor center.
Information available at the center tells you what to look for on your drive. Sometimes
the winds blow the dunes over the road, which must then be rerouted. All the dunes are
in fact moving slowly to the northeast, pushed by prevailing southwest winds, some at
the rate of as much as 20 feet per year.
In the center of the monument, the road itself is made of hard-packed gypsum. (
Note:
It can be especially slick after an afternoon thunderstorm, so drive cautiously!) Visitors
are invited to get out of their cars at established parking areas and explore a bit; some like
to climb a dune for a better view of the endless sea of sand. If you'd rather experience the
park by hiking than on the long drive, try the Big Dune Trail, a good trail right near the
entrance. It takes you on a 45-minute loop along the edges of the dunes and then into
their whiteness, ending atop a 60-foot-tall one. In summer, ranger-guided nature walks
and evening programs take place in the dunes.
CAMPING
I recommend camping here, especially to see the dunes at sunrise or under a full moon.
The park closes at dusk, and you'll have to leave if you're not camping. It doesn't reopen
until after dawn, so you'll have no way to see the sunrise unless you camp. White Sands
