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White Sands National Monument PO Box 1086
Holloman AFB, NM 88330-1086
505-679-2599
At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain-ringed valley known as the Tularosa Basin.
Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world's great natural wonders--the glistening white sands
of New Mexico.
Here, great wave-like dunes of gypsum cover nearly 300 square miles of desert. The dunes are
ever-changing; growing, cresting, then slumping, but always advancing. Slowly, relentlessly, the sand
covers all.
White Sands National Monument preserves a major portion of the world's largest gypsum dune field,
along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this harsh environment.
Travelers to southern New Mexico are invited to explore this vast undulating landscape of brilliant white
sand.For an in-depth history and detailed tour of the area, click here.
Visiting the Monument
Getting There: White Sands National Monument is located along U.S. Highway 70/82, 15
miles west of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruces. The Monument is 100 miles from El Paso,
via either Alamogordo or Las Cruces.
Hours of Operation: The Monument is open daily, except Christmas. Summer hours (Memorial
Day through Labor Day): Visitor Center 8 AM - 7 PM, Dunes Drive 7 AM - 10 PM. Winter hours:
Visitor Center 8 AM - 4:30 PM, Dunes Drive 7 AM - sunset.
Park Closures: Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is
occasionally necessary, for visitor safety, to close the Dunes Drive for periods of up to two hours. Visitors
on a tight schedule are encouraged to call ahead for information on closures.
Food and Lodging: There is no dining or lodging within the Monument. The nearest
restaurants and motels are in Alamogordo, 15 miles east. Refreshments and snacks can be purchased at
the Visitor Center Gift Shop from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. (Summer 8:30 AM - 6 PM.)
Disabled Visitors: All facilities in the Visitor Center and Picnic Area are wheelchair accessible.
The sand dunes are accessible to wheelchairs to a limited degree.
Picnicking and Camping: Picnic areas with sheltered tables are located at the end of the scenic
drive, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No water is available anywhere along the
dunes drive.
There are no campgrounds in the park. Both public and private campgrounds are available in the area. A
backcountry campsite is available in the park. Please register at the Visitor Center upon arrival to use this
site.
Seeing the Park
Your first stop should be the White Sands Visitor Center, which includes a museum, information desk,
book store, gift shop and rest rooms. Allow approximately 30 minutes for Visitor Center activities.
An eight-mile scenic drive leads from the Visitor Center into the heart of the dunes. Wayside exhibits at
pullouts along the drive provide information about the natural history of the park.
Numerous parking areas along the drive allow visitors to stop and walk in the white sands. Allow 30
minutes driving time for the 16-mile round trip, plus additional time for walking, photography or stopping
at pullouts.
The Big Dune Trail: For those who would like to explore the dunes on foot, the Big Dune Trail
is a one-mile self-guided nature trail. A booklet, available at the trail head, discusses the plants and
animals that live within the dunes.
Ranger-Led Activities: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, ranger led activities are scheduled
throughout the day, including orientation talks, nature walks, and evening slide programs. Check at the
Visitor Center for the day's activities. Organized groups can arrange for ranger-led bus tours or walking
tours any time of year by contacting the Monument in advance.
Books & Maps
Browse through the Adventurous Traveler Bookstore's database to find an extensive collection of books and maps on New Mexico.
Other Internet Resources
- White Sands National Monument - includes description of the area with pictures.
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