"], function($) { It fits right in with other fascinating New Mexico destinations like Roswell and Taos. In fact, the designation specifically cited recent discoveries in paleontology, archaeology, geology, and hydrology. Full Moon Nights share the cultural legacy of southern New Mexico and northern Mexico, as well as the rich natural resources of White Sands National Park. Want to get updates via email every few weeks? “That particular rate of endemism is unknown in the world, except perhaps in the Galápagos Islands,” he says. National Guard, Reservists, and TDY personnel may use the library while on assignment at White Sands Missile Range. White Sands National Park, 31 miles from Las Cruces, New Mexico, is one of the strangest and most isolated parks in all America. The landscape itself unveils new mysteries as scientists poke into its inner workings. In 2020, the shortest day is December 21, with 10 hours, 1 minute of daylight; the longest day is June 20, with 14 hours, 17 minutes of daylight. That’s one reason its elevation to national park status calls for celebration: The national monument language spoke solely to preserving the dunes and their sand; the national park designation encompasses other natural resources, a nod to the robust research under way and a spur for more of it. (The Main Gym has a few cardio equipment pieces available inside to use) The Nautilus Annex are closed to 24/7 access operations and will be open during Bell Gym's main hours of operation. And you’d be right. ©2021 New Mexico Magazine / New Mexico Tourism Department. That… Is White Sands … We will never recommend anything that we do not personally use and love. Las Cruces is the largest town nearby, but we stayed in Alamogordo at this hotel. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash. Leave any questions you have below in the comments and pin this post for reference later: Enter your email address to receive notifications of new posts by email. Bicycling is permitted on the asphalt and packed gypsum, but not on the dunes themselves. recent discoveries in paleontology, archaeology, geology, and hydrology. “There are so many different pieces,” he says. People wandering the dunes transform into tiny black specks on the otherwise white landscape, a place unlike anywhere else on the planet, a light smudge visible from space. Tuesday 22 December 2020 - Open 1000-1900. New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department at White Sands Offers: New Mexico State Identification Card (ID) In case of unexpected closures, the information will be made available, in order of priority, in the following media: “So many incredible stories, you never know how the day’s going to go or what you’re going to find.”. Thank you for your understanding. White Sands is massive, occupying 275-square miles of the Tularosa Basin which stretches up into the middle of the state. The temperature drops. You really have to see the park in person to fully appreciate the beautiful white sands, blue skies and mountains all around. It pays for itself when you visit 2-3 parks and then everything after that is free. White Sands National Monument is no different in terms of when to photograph than any other place except for one major difference. Enjoy a moonlit evening with live music, ranger programs, or special guest presenters and artists. The texture of the sand changes over the sides of a single dune—deep and soft in places and wind-firmed to a walkable crust in others, the surface scalloped in the way that waves often ripple undersea sand. E-mail: NM.magazine@state.nm.us. Even during the height of summer, the sands feel cool. In December 2019, the more than 145,000 federally protected acres became a national park. Hours, Events, and other Important information. Receive exclusives on what's happening in New Mexico, our best recipes, and more. Instead, Metzler is still at work, having identified 600 species in a swath only 100 yards across and 2 miles long. If you love sledding, but hate the cold, grab a sled (check here for updated pricing) from the visitor’s center and hit the sand slopes. Sign up for our newsletter. On day one, they host a music, food and beer festival at the Balloon Park in Alamogordo. Convenient and easy to read site map, listings, and phone numbers for mall businesses. Our stores feature new and used powersport vehicles, apparel, parts, service and accessories near El Paso, San Antonio, Alburquerque, and Socorro. In the first or second week of September, Alamogordo hosts their White Sands Balloon Festival for a two day event. “People visiting White Sands have had a special connection for a long, long time,” Bustos says. Totally up to you. Dunes Drive is 8 miles in and 8 miles back with plenty of spots to pull over and explore. Motorsports of New Mexico is a Powersport dealership with 4 locations in Las Cruces, Los Lunas, SSR Motorsports, Santa Teresa & White Sands, NM. White Sands New Mexico MVD will be open by appointment only starting June 1, 2020. Check Before you Go. Admission is $20 per vehicle or $15 per person (if only one adult is in a vehicle), good for seven days. And here is another Google map showing the way from Alamogordo - El Paso Map and Directions BY BUS Greyhound Lines: The closest location to White Sands, NM, Greyhound Lines serves is Alamogordo, NM.If you don't like to hike the final 15 miles to the Monument, you could rent a car in Alamogordo or take a cab. If you are planning to visit a few National Parks this year, I would recommend getting this yearly pass from REI or one of the park entrances. You just park and wander out onto the dunes. What you likely do NOT think about, is endless white sands as far as the eye can see. Back to Previous If you enjoy visiting unique places, then White Sands National Park in New Mexico needs to be on your list of places to visit. A breeze picks up. Winter hours (November 1–February 7) are 7 a.m.–6 p.m. White Sands Missile Range (1960) New Mexico Joint Guided Missile Test Range (1947) White Sands Proving Ground (1945) Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range (1941) Part of United States Army Test and Evaluation Command: Located in the San Andres Mountains, the Oscura Mountains, the San Augustin Mountains, the Tularosa Basin, and the Chupadera Mesa in New Mexico There are more than 3,000 Oryx living in the park. More Info. The park is open from 7AM to 9PM. // also we require window.history to be greater than 1, otherwise opening a link in a new tab toggles a non-functional back button When restrictions lift, expect sunset concerts, star parties, and campouts. In January 1933, President Herbert Hoover recognized its importance by designating White Sands as a national monument. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert within an "internally drained valley" called the Tularosa Basin. It’s actually just an hour from the Texas border. The park is open every day of the year except Christmas. The best times to be in the park are sunrise and sunset. We opted out of this when we visited, but this is a very popular way to enjoy the sand dunes. The surreal, sinuous curves of white in this otherworldly place elicit an immediate sense of amazement and promote a carnival-like atmosphere. Updates. White Sands National Park … Operating Hours & Seasons Park operating hours vary by season, and is occasionally closed for periods of time due to missile tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. Lew Wallace Building Made up of gypsum sand, the dunes move constantly, making every return visit feel like a brand-new experience. The sun is strong though and if you go midday, bring water and sunscreen. Access to the monument is not open for sunrise with the admission gate opening roughly half an hour after sunrise. White Sands National Park is one of the newest additions to the National Park Service. The White Sands Missile Range Post Office, located in White Sands, NM, is a branch location of the United States Postal Service (USPS) that serves the White Sands community. You can drive up to 16 miles in a loop to view the dunes. White Sands MVD Office Address WSMR P Rt 1 Bldg 200 White Sands, New Mexico, 88002 Phone 575-678-8824 Hours Monday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Tuesday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Wednesday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Thursday: 8:00AM - 3:30PM, Friday: 8:00AM - 2:00PM White Sands National Park is located in the very south of the square-shaped state of New Mexico. We didn’t spot any when we were there, but we were lucky enough to camp near them in the desert of Namibia. The park is also reaching out to Native tribes, many of whom have stories that add a layer to the archaeological work under way and the understanding of how the landscape has changed over time. New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department. “It’s a special place, and it always has been.”, Like the colors of the sunset reflecting off the dunes, Bustos finds variety in the work here, be it research on fossil footprints, a potential mission to Mars, or the military activities at nearby White Sands Missile Range. Laughter, jubilant calls, and delighted squeals carry across the sand. There are a few boardwalk styles paths to allow you to stretch your legs without getting sand in your shoes. But here are ten of our favorite photos from our visit there to help you get an idea. That thrilled Bustos, and the two expected to soon amass a comprehensive view of all moth species in the park. Contact and Phone to mall. White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 Desert Emerald Park Disc Golf Course This 18 Hole course at Desert Emerald Park is located at the base of the Organ Mountains with stunning views and is FREE to play during daylight hours. On December 20, 2019 New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument became the 62 nd national park in the United States. The Cardio Annex is closed until further notice. The length of the day in White Sands varies significantly over the course of the year. Gypsum dissolves in water like salt or sugar, but because of the location of the park has no water outlets – the white sand remains in the park. White Sands is now one of two national parks in New Mexico, you probably already know Carlsbad Caverns is the other one. Drivers License & New Mexico Identifcation Cards. White Sands remains a largely untapped wonder, drawing researchers from throughout the United States and beyond. Even though it’s not right off a major highway, it’s worth any detour. The entrance fee is $25 per car. White Sands is located in south central New Mexico. photos by Tira Howard. Other visitors rest on camp chairs under beach umbrellas. Patrons must wipe down equipment before and after each use. For details about visiting the park, special admission pricing, and more, visit the park’s website or Facebook page. White Sands National Park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission starts at $15 per vehicle. 575-479-6124. Monument staff will do their best to notify the public of closures via other available means. Phone: (505) 827-7447 “In the last 20 years or so, a lot of what we know about the park has changed,” says David Bustos, resource program manager with White Sands National Park. When you think of New Mexico, you likely think desert. Phone: 575-479-6124. Since it isn’t real sand, it doesn’t retain heat – so you don’t have to worry about the ground being super hot in the middle of the day. New national parks generate excitement, and this January and February, White Sands witnessed its highest attendance ever for those two months. miles in area. Location: Google Maps. Sunday 20 December 2020 - Open 1100-1600. Its opened case lies by his car, near a pair of kicked-off cowboy boots. Now it’s part of our mission.”. Visitors are encouraged to check Park Closure webpage to verify that a closure is not in effect. Who and Where Store Directory. All Active Duty, Retired Military, Family members age ten and older, and Civilian employees may borrow materials from the library. Each year, he finds and describes a new species just one dune over from the previous. During the winter and occasionally throughout the year, the monument may unexpectedly close due to unsafe road or extreme weather conditions. Santa Fe, NM 87501 It is about 3.5 hours from Albuquerque International Airport and less than two hours from El Paso International Airport. Subscriptions/Inquiries: (800) 898-6639 Some White Sands experiences are currently unavailable, but the park is open. backBtn.find('.shared-back-button').show(); Friday 25 December 2020 - **Christmas Day** - CLOSED - MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM ALL OF US @ WHITE SANDS COMMISSARY. White Sands Trading Company Gift Shop, Alamogordo: Address, Phone Number, White Sands Trading Company Gift Shop Reviews: 4/5 United States New Mexico (NM) Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. The particles are moving around so much and scratching other particles giving them the white color you see when you are there. Black friday and holiday hours information. We visited in the same stretch of our trip as Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains which are in the same region, but they can’t all be done in one day – you’d need a long weekend. $('[data-sv-magazine-content-wrapper]').prepend(backBtn); The biggest difference between this park and some of our other favorites like Grand Tetons and Big Bend is the lack of trails for hiking. White Sands National Park is located in the southern center of New Mexico between Interstate 25 and highway 54. He plays and sings while walking across a dune, a photographer crouching near him, capturing the scene. Just remember to check on the local COVID restrictions before planning any trip and have a good stock of masks in your car for any exploring. Then the pandemic came, dampening visitation. There are no reviews yet. As a result, this website may not contain the most current and up-to-date closure information. If you are driving from Las Cruces or Interstate 25 in the west, you will need to … }); by Elizabeth Miller White Sands National Park is the home of the world's largest gypsum dune field; nearly 275 sq. require(["jquery", "domReady! var backBtn = $('[data-sv-magazine-back-button]'); Like the windblown grains all around me, the shift may seem subtle but could represent seismic changes in our knowledge, understanding, and ability to tap into the many secrets this landscape contains. It’s beautiful and it’s easy to spend hours there without seeing another person. Thank you for supporting our adventure. The largest gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. Winter hours (November 1–February 7) are 7 a.m.–6 p.m. 575-479-6124. The gate at … The nearest large city with an international airport is El Paso, Texas. Check the website for other hours, restrictions, and changes. Dogs and other pets must be on a leash. “That allows us to request special assistance and additional funds to understand these resources, but also to preserve them. BY DUSK, THE WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK dune field seems marked by a strange kind of hieroglyphics—footprints and long vertical lines of people scrambling up and then sliding down the steepest faces. The substance is gypsum which is clear. Be the first to review ID & CAC Card Office at White Sands Missile Range! The colors are incredible and the shadows of the dunes are beautiful. 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