• The dunes in soft light

    White Sands

    National Monument New Mexico

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  • Closures and Missile Tests

    Upcoming Missile Tests: From time to time the missile range that surrounds us performs missile testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please follow the link below for up to date information on closures More »

Park Fun

Kids sledding on the dunes
NPS PHOTO
 

Sledding on the Dunes

 

Sledding down the slip face of dunes is a popular activity at White Sands National Monument. Most sledders use waxed plastic snow saucers (which can be purchased at the park gift shop). Below are a few tips for having a great time while staying safe.

  • Choose a dune that is away from the roadway and parking areas and is free of vegetation.
  • Sit or lay on your back on the sled with your feet pointing downhill.
  • Do not stand up while sledding. The dune sand may be soft, but the area at the base of the dune can be very hard and unintentional injuries are surprisingly common.
  • Do not sled head first.
  • Do not let young children sled alone. Children ages 5 to 9 are the most susceptible to injury.
  • Always check for hazards before sledding. Hazards include things like vegetation, rocks, or other obstructions.
 

Family-Friendly Hikes

  • The Dune Life Nature Trail is a wonderful family-oriented hike. As you walk the trail, you'll follow Katy the Kit Fox as she explains how she survives in the harsh environment of the dunefield. You'll also learn about many of the animals that make their home among the white sands. The trail is about 1.25 miles in length and takes roughly 40 minutes to complete.
  • The Interdunal Boardwalk is another great family hike. Interpretive signs will tell you about how plants manage to eke out a living in a seemingly waterless world as you meander along the planked walkway through a pristine interdunal area.

Junior Ranger Adventure Packs
Would you like to learn about the animals of White Sands National Monument while exploring the dunes? Then our adventure packs are just the thing-and they FREE to use! Just have mom or dad ask at the visitor center information desk.

Hike Smart!
Join a ranger to learn about White Sands! From May 27 through September 2, 2013, a ranger will be presenting this program every Saturday at 5 pm. Families will meet the ranger at the Dune Life Nature Trail at 5 pm to learn orienteering and more. Parents must be present. Learn more...

Crafty Kids
Get your hands involved in learning! Join rangers every Sunday at 2 pm in the visitor center courtyard for a free one-hour craft and interpretive program. Rangers will share surprising facts about the creepy crawlers, amazing adapters, and out-of-this-world geology of White Sands whlie guiding kids through a take-home craft project. Targeted age range is 6-10 years old. Parents are welcome to stay and participate in the program.

Did You Know?

Photo of sand grains

The gypsum that makes up the white sands starts out as clear, translucent sand grains. As the wind bounces the sand grains along the ground, they collide and scratch each other. The scratches change the way light reflects off the grains, making the sand appear white.