We actually had to pull over and go through two of these during our time in New Mexico. Border Patrol checkpoint before you arrive at the Visitor Center. Be Prepared for Random StopsĪlso, you may encounter a U.S. Therefore it is good to check the website or call ahead to check for closures (57) due to missile tests. For Highway 70 closure information, call the White Sands Missile Range at (575) 678-1178. When they conduct missile tests, the road is actually closed to traffic for up to three hours and White Sand National Park is also closed. If you are driving from Las Cruces or Interstate 25 in the west, you will need to go through the White Sands Missile Range. A steady southwest wind keeps shaping and reshaping the dunes so it is always different (and easy to get lost!) Things to Know Before Visiting White Sands National Park 1. Over the ages, wind and water have broken down the gypsum to create the white sand we see today. Mountains formed and raised the gypsum, but the receding of the glaciers after the Ice Age dissolved the gypsum and returned it to the basin. When that sea receded, it left deep layers of gypsum. The National Park preserves more than half of this dune field and the ancient fossils and footprints that remain.Īt one point in ancient history, this area was covered by the Permiari Sea. This park is in the Tularosa Basin in Southern New Mexico and consists of a white sands dune field that covers 275 square miles, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world. White Sands National Monument was designated a National Park and renamed White Sands National Park in December 2019. White Sands National Park is definitely one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico and I’m going to share the tips we wish we knew before we went. The glistening white of the sand makes the sky seem even bluer, creating a contrast that is simply stunning. The white sand dune field stretches as far as you can see, meeting the dark line of San Andres mountains at the horizon. When I decided to extend our visit to Tucson with a mother-daughter road trip to New Mexico, it was the perfect opportunity. Clambering up gypsum sand dunes in White Sands National Park in New Mexico, I half expected to see Will Smith dragging an alien in a parachute across this other-worldly landscape, like a scene from Independence Day.Įver since I heard that you could sled down the sand dunes at White Sands National Park in Southern New Mexico, I’ve waited for the opportunity to visit.
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