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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 »
Operating Hours & Seasons
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Download gate opening/closing hours. Currently, the monument's hours of operation are only confirmed through March 31, 2013. This information will be updated for April 1 and beyond as soon as possible. The monument is open daily year round. The only day of the year that we are scheduled to be closed is Christmas Day, December 25. UNEXPECTED CLOSURES - Especially during the winter and occasionally throughout the year, there are times when the park may have to close due to bad roads or weather. During these times, the website may not contain the most up-to-date information because the website cannot be updated from outside of the park's offices. However, the park does try its best to notify the public. In case of unexpected closures, the information will be available at the following locations in order of priority as soon as possible: 1) Local radio stations KUPR-FM 91.7 and KRWG-FM 90.7 Winter hours: (November 6, 2012 - March 3, 2013) Visitor Center 9:00 am - 5:00 pm. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 am. to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset. The visitor center is closed on Christmas day. Download park gate hours from link at top of page for specific inbound gate and park closing times. Holiday hours: (December 15, 2012 - January 1, 2013) Visitor Center 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 am. to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset. The visitor center is closed on Christmas day. Download park gate hours from link at top of page for specific inbound gate and park closing times. Spring hours: (March 4, 2013 - April 21, 2013) Visitor Center 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 am. to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset. Download park gate hours from link at top of page for specific inbound gate and park closing times. Visitor Center 8:00 am - 7:00 pm. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 am to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset. From May 27 to September 5, the park may be entered until 9:00 pm, and visitors must exit by 10:00 pm. Download park gate hours from link at top of page for specific inbound gate and park closing times. Fall hours (September 9, 2013 - November 2, 2013) Visitor Center 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 am to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset. Download park gate hours from link at top of page for specific inbound gate and park closing times. Winter hours (November 3, 2013 - February 23, 2013) Visitor Center 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The Dunes Drive may be entered from 7:00 am to sunset. No vehicles may enter the Dunes Drive after sunset. All visitors must exit the park by one hour after sunset. Download park gate hours from link at top of page for specific inbound gate and park closing times. Special Note: 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. U.S. Highway 70/82 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is also closed during times of missile testing. Visitors on a tight schedule are encouraged to call the day prior to arrival for information on closures. |
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Did You Know?
Most desert animals are nocturnal, coming out to feed only at night when temperatures are cooler. Every animal in the white sands makes tracks on the dunes as it moves, leaving clues to its nocturnal activities.