• The dunes in soft light

    White Sands

    National Monument New Mexico

  • Closures and Missile Tests

    Upcoming Missile Tests: Friday-Saturday, April 27-28 -- Missile test scheduled on both mornings. Highway 70 will be blocked at Red & Yellow checkpoints. No backcountry camping on Thursday and Friday, April 26 & 27. More »

  • High Winds

    We are in our windy season, so please be aware of possible high winds.

  • Backcountry Camping

    There will be no backcountry camping available the night of Saturday, April 7, 2012.

Sunset Strolls

The Sunset Stroll Nature Walk is an easy (less than one mile) stroll through the dunes to look at the geology, plants and animals of the dune field. Some climbing on the dunes is involved.The walk is timed to end at sunset in order to provide good photographic opportunites.The Sunset Stroll is held every evening throughout the year, except when staff is not available. The starting time varies.

PLEASE NOTE: Although the stroll does not require much climbing, it does lead visitors off the road and through the sand.  As a result, it is not wheelchair or scooter accessible. The ranger will try to accomodate visitors with special needs as best they can, but the stroll may require a climb up a gentle slope or two.

2011 Sunset Stroll Schedule

4:00 p.m. November 7 - December 31 (Sunset: 5:05 - 5:05)

2012 Sunset Stroll Schedule

4:00 p.m. January 1 - 6 (Sunset: 5:05 - 5:13)

4:15 p.m. January 7 - 13 (Sunset: 5:13 - 5:19)

4:30 p.m. January 14 - February 3 (Sunset: 5:20 - 5:38)

4:45 p.m. February 4 - February 17 (Sunset: 5:39 - 5:51)

5:00 p.m. February 18 - March 2 (Sunset: 5:52 - 6:03)

5:15 p.m. March 3 - March 10 (Sunset: 6:04 - 6:09)

March 11:  Sunset 7:10 Daylight Savings Begins (SPRING FORWARD)

6:15 p.m. March 11 - March 30 (Sunset: 7:10 - 7:24)

6:30 p.m. March 31 - April 20 (Sunset: 7:24 - 7:39)

6:45 p.m. April 21 - May 11 (Sunset: 7:39 - 7:54)

7:00 p.m. May 12 - August 5 (Sunset: 7:55 -8:01)

6:45 p.m. August 6 - 19 (Sunset: 8:00 - 7:44) 

6:30 p.m. August 20 - August 26 (Sunset: 7:43 - 7:36)

6:15 p.m. August 27 - September 9 (Sunset: 7:35 - 7:18)

6:00 p.m. September 10 - September 16 (Sunset: 7:17 - 7:08)

5:45 p.m. September 17 - September 30 (Sunset: 7:07 - 6:50)

5:30 p.m. October 1 - October 14 (Sunset: 6:48 - 6:32)

5:15 p.m. October 15 - October 28 (Sunset: 6:31 - 6:17)

5:00 p.m. October 29 - November 3 (Sunset: 6:16 - 6:11)

November 4:  Sunset 5:10 Daylight Savings Ends (FALL BACK)

4:00 p.m. November 4 - December 31 (Sunset: 5:09 - 5:09)

 
volunteer leading a sunset stroll at the monument
Visitors enjoying a sunset stroll at the monument
R.Wiles image
 

Did You Know?

Photo of ripples on a dune

The wind moves small sand grains by bouncing them along the surface in a process called "saltation." Saltating sand grains create a beautiful pattern of ripples on the dune surface. Larger sand grains are struck by saltating grains and slowly roll forward, a process known as "surface creep."