March 7, 2023
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
New Mexico
“White Sands National Park is an American national park located in the state of New Mexico and completely surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range. The park covers 145,762 acres in the Tularosa Basin, including the southern 41% of a 275 sq mi field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals.” - Wikipedia
After nine weeks in Las Cruces I finally took time to drive to White Sands National Park, one of the places on my to-see list. I have yet to find a national park that hasn't impressed me and White Sands was truly impressive. The white sand is gypsum, which for the most part is easier to walk on than the sand at Great Sand Dunes National Park or the sand on the beaches along the Gulf Coast. The dunes are not as massive as those at Great Sand Dunes NP, but it appeared people were having more fun exploring these dunes, sliding down them on saucers, and picnicking in the area.
The pavement of the one road into the park ends about 4 miles from the entrance and you drive on the sand the rest of the way before looping around and driving back out of the park. Because of drifting the road is plowed, and had I not gotten out of my truck to experience the 70° temps I would have thought I was driving in Iowa after a big snow storm. The picnic areas reminded me of ice fishing huts out on a frozen lake.
I'm hoping to return one day, either at sunrise or more probably at sunset as I'm sure the sights would be amazing.
The beginning of the Dune Life Nature Trail.
You could find people sledding down the dunes at several places in the park.
Some people were just enjoying rolling down the dunes without a saucer.
The road just after the pavement ends.
Had the temps not been in the 70s I would have sworn I was driving on roads just after a snowstorm.
The picnic shelters reminded me of ice fishing shacks out on a lake.
The wind, which was actually pretty mild, caused a lot of blowing of the sand.
I didn't see anyone around, so I hope whoever the shoes belonged to was having fun.
Me trying to be artistic.
Again, me trying to be artistic.