Overview
White Sands National Park is part of a much larger geological formation also known as White Sands. It is located in the Tularosa Basin between two mountain ranges in south-central New Mexico.
Best known for its scenery and sledding on the dunes, in recent years, an archaeological discovery has thrust the park into the news and the debate about the first people in the Americas.
Scenery
The ‘sand’ of White Sands is not actually sand, which is mostly silica. The white powdery dust that blows around and creates sand dunes is actually gypsum. Just like in drywall. To most people, sand is silica. But you won’t be wrong if you call it sand here at White Sands.
The Tulorossa basin, which contains the park, lies between the San Andres (not the one in California) to the west and the Sacramento Mountains to the east. White Sands Missile Range, a very active military base covering thousands of acres, surrounds the National Park.
There is a scenic road that departs from the visitor center adjacent to US Highway 70 and winds through the dunes for about 4 miles. There are five large parking lots along the road where you can park. One at the end of the road has picnic facilities.
There are five trails to get closer to the dunes. They range in length from the 1200 food Playa Trail to the five-mile Alkaline Flat Trail. The road outside of the parking lots does not allow stopping or parking on the shoulders.
Besides hiking, the main activity is sledding. Yes, sledding on a sled down the dunes on flat pieces of plastic, either square or round. The gift store has some for sale.
History
A decade ago, most scientists held to the theory that the first people in the Americas were the Clovis Culture, about 12,000 years ago. This date has been shattered by many recent discoveries. One of the newest and most controversial dating sites is located in a non-public area of White Sands National Park. Researchers, along with representatives of the park service, have dated human footprints to between 22,500 and 25,000 years ago. If you are intrigued, there is a layperson-readable book for sale at the Visitor Center.
A more recent historical event happened about 80 miles north of the park. On the morning of July 16, 1945, the first-ever atomic bomb was detonated at the Trinity site on what is now the White Sands Missile Range. The site is not part of the National Park, and visitation is limited to one day a year. Check with the White Sands Missile Range for information.
Conclusion
While the park is very interesting and worth a visit, don’t plan on spending much time. A half day is more than enough time for a great visit. A couple of notes.
This part of New Mexico can get hot. Very hot. 100 degrees is normal for a summer day. A higher temperature is not unheard of. Yes, but it is a dry heat. No matter what you’ve been told, 100-plus degrees is hot. The wind does not cool; it is like the blast you get when you open your oven. And because it’s dry, you will need at least a gallon of liquid a day. You won’t feel yourself sweat; it dries instantly. You have to replace the water. Especially young kids, who are a lot more active, and the elderly, who have trouble regulating their temperatures.
This next one may sound like science fiction or Cold War propaganda. The military tests missiles. Who would have thought that a missile range actually launches missiles? US Highway 70 from Los Cruces to the park may close for up to three hours, as does the Dunes Drive in the park. Announced ahead of time; they’re not surprise closings. Check with the park for details.
There are other attractions in the area, and I will be posting articles about them in the future. Check back, or better yet, sign up for my quarterly newsletter.
