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NPS Photo
Welcome to White Sands National Park Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here. Learn more about the park and make plans for your visit at nps.gov/whitesands
NPS Photo Check Park Hours White Sands National Park's operating hours change throughout the year. The park opens at 7:00 am each day and the closing hours vary. The visitor center also has varying hours throughout the year. Check the parks operating hours for the most up to date information on when the park and visitor center opens and closes.White Sands National Park is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Check Park Closures White Sands Missile Range regularly conducts military tests. For visitor safety, the only road into the dunefield, Dunes Drive, may be closed for periods of up to three hours during missile tests. Park staff is usually notified two weeks in advance of scheduled tests; however, notifications from White Sands Missile Range may be received up to 24 hours in advance of a test. Park staff work to inform the public as far in advance as possible for upcoming tests and park closures. For up to date closure information, visit the park closure page.
NPS Photo Bring Water and Sun Protection White Sands National Park is located in the Chihuahuan desert. Drinking water is sparse and the sun beats down upon the dunes and visitors to the park almost every day.To safely visit the park, we suggest that each person carry at least one gallon(4 Liters) of water.The only place in the park that water is available is the visitor center. Water is sold in the White Sands Trading Post. Please make sure you have water with you before heading into the park. Sun protection is needed year round at White Sands. Hats, sunscreen, and breathable long sleeve shirts are suggested to keep the harmful rays of the sun from causing significant sunburns. The white gypsum sand of the dunes reflects roughly 80% of the suns rays. Sun burns can become extremely dangerous very quickly on sunny days in the park. Plan Ahead White Sands National Park is located along state highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces. The park is surrounded by White Sands Missile Range which limits amenities near the park. When visiting the park, plan ahead and make sure you have a plan for lodging, food, water, and gas. The closest services to the park are 20 minutes away in the town of Alamogordo. When traveling from Las Cruces, the park is roughly an hour away with no services in between. The White Sands Trading Post at the park does sell water and has limited food options.
Enjoying the Dunes
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