Services
Campgrounds
Hotels
Dining
Activities
Weather
  Park Information
Park Home
Plan Your Visit
History & Culture
Nature & Science
For Teachers
For Kids
Management
Support Your Park
Site Index

Back to Main Page

QUICKLINKS:

 Like No Place Else on Earth

Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and created the world's largest gypsum dune field.

White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of this unique dune field, along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this constantly changing environment.

 
undefined

Park Closures

The Dunes Drive is periodically closed to travel due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Please click on 'more' for dates and times of closures.
more...

 
Sunset over dune field

White Sands Institute

Have you ever wanted to take a photography workshop led by a professional photographer in New Mexico’s most visited national park area? Or learn about the unique animal and plant species of New Mexico’s White Sands?

Field seminars combining a mixture of outdoor field excursions along with classroom presentations. This year we are offering a variety of classes taught by renown experts.
more...

 
family preparing for the full moon bike ride at the monument

Full Moon Bike Ride

The April 30th full moon bike ride has reached capacity. We are no longer accepting reservations for this event. The next full moon bike ride is scheduled for Saturday, October 23, 2010. Please check this site on September 23 to make reservations for the October ride. 

 
ranger leading a group on the dunes

Park Events

White Sands has many great activities scheduled for 2010. Learn more about things to see and do in the park.

Full Moon Nights
Enjoy the beauty of the white sands under the light of the full moon and join us for our six Full Moon Nights programs offered this summer.
more...

 

Write to

White Sands National Monument
PO Box 1086
Holloman AFB, NM 88330

Phone

Park Information
(575) 679-2599

Climate

The Tularosa Basin, a high desert area, averaging 4,000 feet (1200 meters) in elevation, is subject to harsh, and sometimes rapidly changing climatic conditions. Spring is windy season. Summers are hot, averaging 95°F. (35°C.) highs with occasional readings over 100°F. (38°C.). Winters are relatively mild, but night-time temperatures often go below freezing (0°C.) Snowfall is infrequent, but heavy snows have occurred on occasion. Precipitation averages about 10 inches (250 mm.) per year, with most falling during summer thunderstorms, often accompanied by lightning and hail.
more...
Communities Surrounding White Sands National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Holloman Air Force Base, NM (24 min. )
Alamogordo, NM (32 min. ) Pop. 35,582
La Luz, NM (41 min. ) Pop. 1,615
Tularosa, NM (47 min. ) Pop. 2,864
 Cloudcroft, NM (54 min. ) Pop. 749
Organ, NM (57 min. )
Bent, NM (1 hr.  1 min. )
Orogrande, NM (1 hr.  11 min. )