Contact Info
- Information:
- 575-679-2599
Basics
- Type:
- National Park
Description
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 Park preserves a major portion of this unique dune field, along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this constantly changing environment.
Hours + Fees
Hours:
The monument is open daily, except Christmas
Summer hours (May 26 - September 3):
Visitor Center 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after 9 p.m. All visitors must exit the park by 10 p.m.
Winter hours:
Visitor Center 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset.
Special Note: 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. U.S. Highway 70/82 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is also closed during times of missile testing. Visitors on a tight schedule are encouraged to call the day prior to arrival for information on closures.
