White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is the world’s largest gypsum dune field, covering 275 square miles. Visitors can drive, hike, and sled on the white sand dunes, and see unique flora and fauna. The park has a visitor center, museum, and gift shop, but no campground.
White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico in the United States is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. While many other dune fields exist in other areas of the globe, most are made of brown quartz. The gypsum dunes cover approximately 275 square miles (712.2 square km), and nearly 40% of these dunes are within White Sands National Monument. The other 60% is on land used exclusively by the US military, making it closed to the public. In addition to the white dunes, visitors can expect to see unique fauna and plants that have adapted to the waterless conditions.
Visitors to White Sands National Monument can take a scenic 5-mile (8 km) drive up the dunes, called Dunes Drive. There are places to go off the road and learn about the history and ecological characteristics of the monument. Also, there are places where visitors can stop and walk the white sand dunes. The road is paved and can accommodate cars, buses and trailers.
Some visitors may prefer to hike one of the four trails at White Sands National Monument. Alkali Flat Trail is the longest at 4.6 miles (7.4km), but the trail has a multitude of scenic views. It also takes hikers through dunes that are devoid of all vegetation. The trail ends at Alkali Flat or the dry lake bed of Lake Otero. During the ice ages, it was 1,600 square miles (4,143.98 square km) and covered the bottom of the Tularosa Basin.
The Dune Life Nature Trail is a 1km loop that also offers visitors the chance to walk the sand dunes. Once the trail merges into the sand, visitors follow orange poles to guide them along the way. This trail has the most vegetation of any trail at White Sands National Monument. In addition, it has exhibits and ecological explanations posted along the route of the trail.
The Interdune Boardwalk is approximately 650 yards (594.4 m) long. It is an elevated walkway that takes visitors over a gentle interdule to a panoramic view. An even shorter walk is available by meandering through the Playa Trail. It is 500 yards (457.2m) and takes visitors to a playa, or depression, which sometimes fills with rainwater.
Other activities at White Sands National Monument include taking photographs, stargazing at night, sightseeing, and picnicking. Some visitors also enjoy tobogganing down the dunes. In fact, sledges can be purchased at the park’s gift shops. Visitors are reminded to only sled in cleared areas and to steer off the road.
There is a military missile test site near White Sands National Monument. As a result, the main road through the park may be closed from time to time. Also, visitors are reminded not to touch any unknown object found on the dunes, as it could be harmful to humans. Also, if a foreign object is found, such as a random piece of metal from a missile, it should be reported to a park ranger.
White Sands National Monument has a visitor center, museum, book store, gift shop, and restrooms. There is no campground, but visitors can obtain permits to camp in primitive, country locations. These points are essential and have no water or toilets. Campfires are prohibited anywhere in the park, but pets are allowed, provided owners clean up their waste.
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