Even during the height of summer, the sands feel cool. White Sands National Park is located in the very south of the square-shaped state of New Mexico. Updates. (It drew 608,785 visitors in 2019, a boost for the cities of Alamogordo, about 15 miles to the northeast, and Las Cruces, about 50 miles to the southwest.). What you likely do NOT think about, is endless white sands as far as the eye can see. Phone: (505) 827-7447 Tuesday 22 December 2020 - Open 1000-1900. The particles are moving around so much and scratching other particles giving them the white color you see when you are there. Each year, he finds and describes a new species just one dune over from the previous. Check the website for other hours, restrictions, and changes. BY DUSK, THE WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK dune field seems marked by a strange kind of hieroglyphics—footprints and long vertical lines of people scrambling up and then sliding down the steepest faces. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert within an "internally drained valley" called the Tularosa Basin. We opted out of this when we visited, but this is a very popular way to enjoy the sand dunes. As I walk the gypsum ridges in late August, a barefoot man strolls along the crest of one, playing an accordion. It’s beautiful and it’s easy to spend hours there without seeing another person. White Sands National Park. New national parks generate excitement, and this January and February, White Sands witnessed its highest attendance ever for those two months. 575-479-6124. The Cardio Annex is closed until further notice. As a result, this website may not contain the most current and up-to-date closure information. Some White Sands experiences are currently unavailable, but the park is open. White Sands National Park, 31 miles from Las Cruces, New Mexico, is one of the strangest and most isolated parks in all America. We didn’t spot any when we were there, but we were lucky enough to camp near them in the desert of Namibia. “It’s a very unique place, so it draws a lot of people for that reason,” says Ryan Ewing, an associate professor of geology at Texas A&M who comes to the park to study its sand dunes. Want to get updates via email every few weeks? 495 Old Santa Fe Trail Leave any questions you have below in the comments and pin this post for reference later: Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. It pays for itself when you visit 2-3 parks and then everything after that is free. It fits right in with other fascinating New Mexico destinations like Roswell and Taos. The drive itself is beautiful if you don’t want to get out at all. Back to Previous White Sands remains a largely untapped wonder, drawing researchers from throughout the United States and beyond. Contact and Phone to mall. Monday 21 December 2020 - **Open** 1000-1600. Location: Google Maps. White Sands is located in south central New Mexico. Who and Where Store Directory. Winter hours (November 1–February 7) are 7 a.m.–6 p.m. var backBtn = $('[data-sv-magazine-back-button]'); It is about 3.5 hours from Albuquerque International Airport and less than two hours from El Paso International Airport. The sun moves toward the mountains rimming the Tularosa Basin, a jagged blue line on the horizon. In December 2019, the more than 145,000 federally protected acres became a national park. Thursday 24 December 2020 - **Open** 0900-1600. Check Before you Go. You really have to see the park in person to fully appreciate the beautiful white sands, blue skies and mountains all around. require(["jquery", "domReady! There are more than 3,000 Oryx living in the park. Access to the monument is not open for sunrise with the admission gate opening roughly half an hour after sunrise. Enjoy a moonlit evening with live music, ranger programs, or special guest presenters and artists. Eric Metzler, the resident moth expert, began researching species in the park in 2007. New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department. Since it isn’t real sand, it doesn’t retain heat – so you don’t have to worry about the ground being super hot in the middle of the day. The National Park Service (NPS) is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic. White Sands Tourism: Tripadvisor has 14 reviews of White Sands Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best White Sands resource. New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department at White Sands Offers: New Mexico State Identification Card (ID) Check the website for other hours, restrictions, and changes. White Sands Mall - shopping mall with 26 stores, located in Alamogordo, 3199 N White Sands Blvd, Alamogordo, New Mexico - NM 88310: hours of operations, store directory, directions, mall map, reviews with mall rating. Go ahead and take off your shoes. Upcoming News & Events. White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 Desert Emerald Park Disc Golf Course This 18 Hole course at Desert Emerald Park is located at the base of the Organ Mountains with stunning views and is FREE to play during daylight hours. White Sands MVD Office Address WSMR P Rt 1 Bldg 200 White Sands, New Mexico, 88002 Phone 575-678-8824 Hours Monday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Tuesday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Wednesday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Thursday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Friday: 8:00AM - 2:00PM We visited in the same stretch of our trip as Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains which are in the same region, but they can’t all be done in one day – you’d need a long weekend. Santa Fe, NM 87501 When restrictions lift, expect sunset concerts, star parties, and campouts. There are no reviews yet. Just remember to check on the local COVID restrictions before planning any trip and have a good stock of masks in your car for any exploring. We will never recommend anything that we do not personally use and love. } Thank you for supporting our adventure. E-mail: NM.magazine@state.nm.us. A mask must be worn at all times, NO EXCEPTIONS. 575-479-6124. Motorsports of New Mexico is a Powersport dealership with 4 locations in Las Cruces, Los Lunas, SSR Motorsports, Santa Teresa & White Sands, NM. Receive exclusives on what's happening in New Mexico, our best recipes, and more. The festival runs all day and they do a balloon “glow show” at 7pm after the sun sets. miles in area. All Active Duty, Retired Military, Family members age ten and older, and Civilian employees may borrow materials from the library. When you think of New Mexico, you likely think desert. White Sands National Park is one of the newest additions to the National Park Service. The park is open from 7AM to 9PM. box services, and passport services. Subscriptions/Inquiries: (800) 898-6639 In the first or second week of September, Alamogordo hosts their White Sands Balloon Festival for a two day event. National Guard, Reservists, and TDY personnel may use the library while on assignment at White Sands Missile Range. It’s not actually sand making up the beautiful dunes of this park. // if we are coming from the same domain then we show the button, otherwise a user got her from Google or some other means so we don't Holiday Hours 2020. About Us. The substance is gypsum which is clear. MAP TO WHITE SANDS NEW MEXICO ZOOM IN AND OUT OF MAP. Other visitors rest on camp chairs under beach umbrellas. It’s actually just an hour from the Texas border. The landscape itself unveils new mysteries as scientists poke into its inner workings. Admission is $20 per vehicle or $15 per person (if only one adult is in a vehicle), good for seven days. Our stores feature new and used powersport vehicles, apparel, parts, service and accessories near El Paso, San Antonio, Alburquerque, and Socorro. Then the pandemic came, dampening visitation. He plays and sings while walking across a dune, a photographer crouching near him, capturing the scene. The customer service postal facility offers mail and package delivery services, P.O. In 2020, the shortest day is December 21, with 10 hours, 1 minute of daylight; the longest day is June 20, with 14 hours, 17 minutes of daylight. On December 20, 2019 New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument became the 62 nd national park in the United States. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. And here is another Google map showing the way from Alamogordo - El Paso Map and Directions BY BUS Greyhound Lines: The closest location to White Sands, NM, Greyhound Lines serves is Alamogordo, NM.If you don't like to hike the final 15 miles to the Monument, you could rent a car in Alamogordo or take a cab. “In the last 20 years or so, a lot of what we know about the park has changed,” says David Bustos, resource program manager with White Sands National Park. $10 Fee Per Transaction. The sun is strong though and if you go midday, bring water and sunscreen. White Sands National Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission starts at $15 per vehicle. White Sands New Mexico MVD will be open by appointment only starting June 1, 2020. Friday 25 December 2020 - **Christmas Day** - CLOSED - MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US @ WHITE SANDS COMMISSARY. That thrilled Bustos, and the two expected to soon amass a comprehensive view of all moth species in the park. “That particular rate of endemism is unknown in the world, except perhaps in the Galápagos Islands,” he says. Operating Hours & Seasons Park operating hours vary by season, and is occasionally closed for periods of time due to missile tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. The gate at … Sharing all the important information about White Sands National Park in New Mexico along with 10 photos to inspire your trip there soon. Lew Wallace Building The best times to be in the park are sunrise and sunset. “The reason we go out there is that this is like a natural laboratory.”, Read More: How the Dunes at White Sands Shift Over Time. Of the 60 new species he has discovered in White Sands, an astonishing 54 of them are endemic, found only in this hot whitescape of an environment. People of all ages climb onto sleds—a mission so endorsed by the park that the saucers are for sale in the gift shop and recommended on several wayfinding signs. WSMR Post Library is closed to browsing, but open for computer use by appointment. }); by Elizabeth Miller That… Is White Sands … You can drive up to 16 miles in a loop to view the dunes. White Sands National Park is located in the southern center of New Mexico between Interstate 25 and highway 54. For details about visiting the park, special admission pricing, and more, visit the park’s website or Facebook page. If you are driving from Las Cruces or Interstate 25 in the west, you will need to … Visitors are encouraged to check Park Closure webpage to verify that a closure is not in effect. Thank you for your understanding. Monument staff will do their best to notify the public of closures via other available means. Dunes Drive is 8 miles in and 8 miles back with plenty of spots to pull over and explore. And you’d be right. The colors are incredible and the shadows of the dunes are beautiful. Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Instead, Metzler is still at work, having identified 600 species in a swath only 100 yards across and 2 miles long. Like the windblown grains all around me, the shift may seem subtle but could represent seismic changes in our knowledge, understanding, and ability to tap into the many secrets this landscape contains. The nearest large city with an international airport is El Paso, Texas. Wednesday 23 December 2020 - Open 1000-1900. The length of the day in White Sands varies significantly over the course of the year. “People visiting White Sands have had a special connection for a long, long time,” Bustos says. Convenient and easy to read site map, listings, and phone numbers for mall businesses. The temperature drops. (The Main Gym has a few cardio equipment pieces available inside to use) The Nautilus Annex are closed to 24/7 access operations and will be open during Bell Gym's main hours of operation. // also we require window.history to be greater than 1, otherwise opening a link in a new tab toggles a non-functional back button backBtn.find('.shared-back-button').show(); If you love sledding, but hate the cold, grab a sled (check here for updated pricing) from the visitor’s center and hit the sand slopes. Read More: Prehistoric Footprints at White Sands Tell Rich Stories. White Sands is now one of two national parks in New Mexico, you probably already know Carlsbad Caverns is the other one. They were brought from Africa in the 1960’s and have been inhabiting the area since then. Bicycling is permitted on the asphalt and packed gypsum, but not on the dunes themselves. The entrance fee is $25 per car. On day one, they host a music, food and beer festival at the Balloon Park in Alamogordo. As the sun sets, these dunes reveal how many shades can hide in a single color: pink-white, lavender-white, blue-white, gray-white, brown-white. The park is also reaching out to Native tribes, many of whom have stories that add a layer to the archaeological work under way and the understanding of how the landscape has changed over time. Joshua Tree – How to Enjoy this Stunning Desert Escape, How to Have an Unforgettable Yellowstone Visit, White Sands National Park: A Beautiful New Mexico Secret. Hours, Events, and other Important information. Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to White Sands National Park is as follows: As the name clearly states, this unusual natural park is characterized by an immense expanse of white sand. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash. That’s one reason its elevation to national park status calls for celebration: The national monument language spoke solely to preserving the dunes and their sand; the national park designation encompasses other natural resources, a nod to the robust research under way and a spur for more of it. photos by Tira Howard. Made up of gypsum sand, the dunes move constantly, making every return visit feel like a brand-new experience. The largest gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. $('[data-sv-magazine-content-wrapper]').prepend(backBtn); Even though it’s not right off a major highway, it’s worth any detour. Laughter, jubilant calls, and delighted squeals carry across the sand. White Sands National Park is the home of the world's largest gypsum dune field; nearly 275 sq. White Sands Trading Company Gift Shop, Alamogordo: Address, Phone Number, White Sands Trading Company Gift Shop Reviews: 4/5 United States New Mexico (NM) If you enjoy visiting unique places, then White Sands National Park in New Mexico needs to be on your list of places to visit. if (document.referrer.match(window.location.host) && window.history.length > 1) { recent discoveries in paleontology, archaeology, geology, and hydrology. “That allows us to request special assistance and additional funds to understand these resources, but also to preserve them. "], function($) { The biggest difference between this park and some of our other favorites like Grand Tetons and Big Bend is the lack of trails for hiking. Its arid, pale, sunny dunes transform the desert into an impossible hybrid between the lunar landscape and the snowy expanses of Antarctica. If you are planning to visit a few National Parks this year, I would recommend getting this yearly pass from REI or one of the park entrances. Sunday 20 December 2020 - Open 1100-1600. Las Cruces is the largest town nearby, but we stayed in Alamogordo at this hotel. The park is open every day of the year except Christmas. We may receive compensation through paid or affiliate links on this site. People wandering the dunes transform into tiny black specks on the otherwise white landscape, a place unlike anywhere else on the planet, a light smudge visible from space. During the winter and occasionally throughout the year, the monument may unexpectedly close due to unsafe road or extreme weather conditions. A breeze picks up. Now it’s part of our mission.”. Sign up for our newsletter. Full Moon Nights share the cultural legacy of southern New Mexico and northern Mexico, as well as the rich natural resources of White Sands National Park. The White Sands Missile Range Post Office, located in White Sands, NM, is a branch location of the United States Postal Service (USPS) that serves the White Sands community. Receive New Mexico's outdoor adventures, cultural richness, and more delivered to your door each month. Like an ocean wave of rare white crystal gypsum sand-White Sands National Monument in the desert of New Mexico is known for dramatic landscapes of rare white gypsum sand dunes.In 2019 White Sands … Drivers License & New Mexico Identifcation Cards. Bicycling is permitted on the asphalt and packed gypsum, but not on the dunes themselves. In January 1933, President Herbert Hoover recognized its importance by designating White Sands as a national monument. Programs are offered on the night of the full moon from May through October. Winter hours (November 1–February 7) are 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Black friday and holiday hours information. You just park and wander out onto the dunes. The texture of the sand changes over the sides of a single dune—deep and soft in places and wind-firmed to a walkable crust in others, the surface scalloped in the way that waves often ripple undersea sand. Phone: 575-479-6124. ©2021 New Mexico Magazine / New Mexico Tourism Department. But here are ten of our favorite photos from our visit there to help you get an idea. White Sands National Park … Totally up to you. MORE. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash. “So many incredible stories, you never know how the day’s going to go or what you’re going to find.”. “It’s a special place, and it always has been.”, Like the colors of the sunset reflecting off the dunes, Bustos finds variety in the work here, be it research on fossil footprints, a potential mission to Mars, or the military activities at nearby White Sands Missile Range. Be the first to review ID & CAC Card Office at White Sands Missile Range! White Sands is massive, occupying 275-square miles of the Tularosa Basin which stretches up into the middle of the state. More Info. Gypsum dissolves in water like salt or sugar, but because of the location of the park has no water outlets – the white sand remains in the park. There are a few boardwalk styles paths to allow you to stretch your legs without getting sand in your shoes. The surreal, sinuous curves of white in this otherworldly place elicit an immediate sense of amazement and promote a carnival-like atmosphere. In case of unexpected closures, the information will be made available, in order of priority, in the following media: So hopefully that helps inspire to add this beautiful and unique park to your list. “There are so many different pieces,” he says. In fact, the designation specifically cited recent discoveries in paleontology, archaeology, geology, and hydrology. It’s a small area tucked in between two mountain ranges in central New Mexico. White Sands Missile Range (1960) New Mexico Joint Guided Missile Test Range (1947) White Sands Proving Ground (1945) Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range (1941) Part of United States Army Test and Evaluation Command: Located in the San Andres Mountains, the Oscura Mountains, the San Augustin Mountains, the Tularosa Basin, and the Chupadera Mesa in New Mexico All Rights Reserved. Its opened case lies by his car, near a pair of kicked-off cowboy boots. White Sands National Monument is no different in terms of when to photograph than any other place except for one major difference. Patrons must wipe down equipment before and after each use. A closure is not in effect between the lunar landscape and the snowy expanses of Antarctica the name States! And 8 miles in a swath only 100 yards across and 2 long! 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