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White Sands National Monument
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Park Closures
Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary, for visitor safety, to close the Dunes Drive for periods of up to three hours. The park Visitor Center and Gift Shop remain open during missile range closures. Visitors on a tight schedule should contact the park the day before arriving to check on closures (575) 679-2599.

U.S. Highway 70 between White Sands National Monument and Las Cruces may also be closed during times of missile testing.   For US 70 closure information, call (505) 678-1178.

All closures are subject to change without notice. 
Upcoming closures...

Photo of hiker on the dunes  

Did You Know?
Only the top few inches of the gypsum dunes are made of loose sand. Rainwater falling on the dunes dissolves some of the gypsum and cements the sand grains together, creating a crude form of plaster of Paris. This makes the white sand dunes easy to walk on.

Last Updated: April 26, 2008 at 16:02 EST