Clambering up gypsum sand dunes in White Sands National Park in New Mexico, I half anticipated to see Will Smith dragging an alien in a parachute throughout this other-worldly panorama, like a scene from Independence Day.
The white sand dune discipline stretches so far as you may see, assembly the darkish line of San Andres mountains on the horizon. The glistening white of the sand makes the sky appear even bluer, making a distinction that’s merely gorgeous. Visiting White Sands National Park in New Mexico was the spotlight of our current journey to the Southwest and positively some of the lovely locations in New Mexico.
Ever since I heard that you might sled down the sand dunes at White Sands National Park in Southern New Mexico, I’ve waited for the chance to go to. When I made a decision to increase our go to to Arizona with a mother-daughter highway journey to New Mexico, it was the right alternative.
Where to Stay Near White Sands National Monument
Note: This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could obtain a small fee.
Since we have been driving over from Tucson, we stayed in Las Cruces, New Mexico. White Sands is about one hour from Las Cruces, an hour and a half from El Paso, Texas, and three hours from Carlsbad Caverns. (See this Carlsbad Caverns information if you wish to add on a go to.)
The smaller city of Alamogorda is close by, however I appreciated the lodge choices in Las Cruces higher. We stayed on the Hotel Encanto in Las Cruces, which supplied a restaurant, pool, and a attraction that displays the realm’s Spanish and Mexican Colonial heritage.
If you’re coming down from Albuquerque, it’s a three and a half hour drive. However, you may cease in a single day in Truth or Consequences, a small city identified for its pure scorching springs.
This is about one hour and 45 minutes from White Sands National Monument. We stayed on the Sierra Grande Lodge & Spa on the evening after we visited White Sands and actually fell in love with this property.
Featured in National Geographic Traveler as one in all ‘150 Hotels You’ll Love’, that is such a captivating and unassuming property. The service is great, the meals is scrumptious (breakfast is included), and the decor is charming.
It is such a greater possibility than the chain motels/motels round and never that costly. They even have a wonderful spa and a 30-minute soak of their indoor or outside scorching tubs is included for every evening of your keep. We additionally splurged on a mother-daughter therapeutic massage after our soak and it was blissful.
What is White Sands National Park?
White Sands National Monument was named White Sands National Park in December 2019. This park is within the Tularosa Basin in Southern New Mexico. The white sands dune discipline covers 275 sq. miles, making it the biggest gypsum dune discipline on this planet. The National Park preserves greater than half of this dune discipline.
At one level in historical historical past, this space was lined by the Permiari Sea. When that sea receded, it left deep layers of gypsum. Mountains shaped and raised the gypsum, however the receding of the glaciers after the Ice Age dissolved the gypsum and returned it to the basin.
Over the ages, wind and water have damaged down the gypsum to create sand. A gentle southwest wind retains shaping and reshaping the dunes.
Things to Know Before Visiting White Sands National Park
1. Check Before you Go
If you’re driving from Las Cruces or Interstate 25 within the west, you will have to undergo the White Sands Missile Range. When they conduct missile exams, the highway is definitely closed to visitors for as much as three hours and White Sand National Park can be closed.
Therefore it’s good to verify the web site or name forward to verify for closures (575-479-6124) on account of missile exams. For Highway 70 closure data, name the White Sands Missile Range at (575) 678-1178.
2. Be Prepared for Random Stops
Also, chances are you’ll encounter a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint earlier than you arrive on the Visitor Center. We really needed to pull over and undergo two of those throughout our time in New Mexico.
We didn’t want to point out any ID or reply questions, however the automobile in entrance of us was stopped for fairly a couple of minutes with lots of forwards and backwards dialogue. It is just a little disconcerting to undergo these when not crossing the border however maybe that’s extra frequent in border states and this woman from the Northeast simply isn’t conscious of it.
3. Beware of the Heat
If you’re visiting throughout the summer season, like we have been, be ready for the warmth. Temperatures can exceed 100°F throughout the day and the one shade you will discover is in some picnic areas. Plus the sunshine reflecting off of that white sand is highly effective. You might want to deliver a powerful sunscreen, a great solar hat, and polarized sun shades — plus a number of water!
4. Know When to Visit
If you’re visiting in the summertime, or actually anytime between mid-April by way of mid-October, it’s best to go to White Sands National Park early or later within the day to keep away from the very best warmth and solar. When we visited in June, we arrived within the morning and had an gratifying couple of hours earlier than it actually began to warmth up.
Ideally you’ll go to White Sand National Park throughout the cooler months and have enjoyable taking part in on the dunes all day.
5. Bring your individual Sled (in case you can)
If you’re highway tripping within the space, deliver alongside your individual sleds to avoid wasting cash. However, in case you are flying in like we have been, you should purchase sleds within the present store simply behind the customer heart.
New sleds have been $18 and used sleds (if there are any) are $10. The present store additionally sells wax for the sleds to make them slide simpler. You can return your sled (and wax) after you’re performed and get $5 again.
6. Take Care Driving by way of the Park
After stopping on the Visitor Center (remember to inquire about any Ranger Programs that could be occurring that day), you’ll drive out onto Dune Drive. There are many locations to cease alongside the eight-mile scenic drive. The highway begins out paved however then turns into packed sand so it would be best to take your time alongside the drive.
Luckily, Dune Drive may be very simple to navigate so that you don’t want to fret about getting misplaced or lacking particular sights. Once you get out onto the dunes, then it is advisable listen so that you don’t get misplaced.
7. Find the Steepest Hills off Dunes Drive
There is a loop on the finish of Dune Drive and that is the place you can find the steeper dunes which can be nice for sledding. Take your decide of parking heaps, however chances are you’ll need to drop a pin on a mapping app or a minimum of be aware of the colour of the flag flying close to the parking zone to make sure you will discover your means again.
The steepest hills supply the quickest sledding, however search for ones that finish in a gradual slope to make sure a gentle touchdown for these inevitable wipeouts. Remember that strolling up the entrance of the dunes is hard work however definitely worth the enjoyable trip down.
Luckily, the gypsum sand compacts properly and you should have a better time in case you can stroll in another person’s footsteps. Even higher, take the great distance round and stroll up the gentler, firmer slopes to achieve the highest.
8. Give Yourself Plenty of Time
We had initially deliberate on solely spending the morning in White Sands National Park, however we quickly realized that it was not practically sufficient. We had a lot enjoyable climbing and sledding on the dunes that we each wished to remain longer.
There are quite a few picnic areas (however no water, that’s solely on the customer heart), so I’d suggest arriving within the early morning and staying by way of lunch. Or, come within the later afternoon, have a picnic dinner after which benefit from the sundown over the dunes.
Unlike parks like Yellowstone or Grand Teton, in the future in White Sands National Park is loads of time to take pleasure in your go to. There is not any must spend a number of days within the park.
9. Pack a Picnic
Since there isn’t a meals or water within the park, you will have to pack a picnic to take pleasure in a full day within the park. There are many picnic areas, some with shade, so that you can take pleasure in. However, I did see many households, particularly these with RVs, that arrange an space on the prime of a dune with folding camp chairs and a pop-up cover for solar safety so they might spend loads of time hanging out whereas the youngsters went sledding.
Just bear in mind to Leave No Trace and convey a rubbish bag to hold out the whole lot that you simply pack in. I’d additionally suggest a cooler with ice and once more, heaps and plenty of water or hydrating drinks.
10. Stamp your Passport
White Sands is a part of the National Parks system and due to this fact you need to use a National Parks “America the Beautiful” Annual Pass to cowl your entrance price (this was our first park of the 12 months for our go!)
Inside the Visitor Center, you will discover a stamp on your National Parks passport, which makes a enjoyable memento and solution to maintain monitor of which parks you might have visited.
11. Pack Smart
Be positive to deliver sunscreen, refillable water bottles (the one refill station is on the customer heart), a hat, sun shades, lip balm with SPF safety, a sled (you probably have one), a towel to wipe the sand off, and a rubbish bag to hold out your whole trash.
I’d suggest carrying comfy garments that you simply don’t thoughts getting sandy but additionally received’t get sand caught in uncomfortable locations. Perhaps deliver a change of garments for once you go away and put on flip flops or good exercise sandals with straps in order that they don’t fall off.
White Sands National Park is unquestionably one in all our favourite spots within the Southwest and hopefully the following pointers will make it easier to put together on your journey!
PIN THIS FOR LATER
