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White Sands National Monument
About 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo on US 70, White Sands National Monument is the source of rare gypsum sands that form snow-white dunes rising up to 60 feet above the Tularosa Basin floor.
Covering 275 square miles, the massive dunes are created when rain and melting snow dissolve gypsum from the surrounding mountains and carry it into the seasonal lake, or playa, of Lake Lucero. Desert heat evaporates the playa, causing gypsum crystals to form. Dry winds expose the crystals, eroding them into sand-sized particles that are blown into the dune field.
Much of the wide sea of dunes is bare of vegetation. However, a few species of plants exhibit remarkable adaptation to the shifting sands; the soaptree yucca can stretch its stem up to 30 feet to keep from being buried.
Drinking water is available only at the visitor center; covered picnic sites and restrooms are in the heart of the dunes area. Information about park facilities is broadcast continuously within 6 miles of the monument over AM 1610. A visitor center relates the origin and history of White Sands through exhibits and a video presentation that is shown every half hour.
On summer evenings guided walks are offered at 7 p.m.; narrated programs are presented at 8:30 p.m., earlier in August. Brochures describing four self-guiding walking tours also are available. On full-moon nights from June to August, the park remains open until 11 p.m. so visitors can witness the celestial light reflecting off the dunes.
The scenic 16-mile round-trip Dunes Drive can be entered daily 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day; 7 a.m.-dusk, rest of year. Visitor center is open daily 9-7, Memorial Day-Labor Day; 8-5, rest of year. Closed Dec. 25. Admission $3, under 17 free. Phone (505) 479-6124 or (505) 679-2599.
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