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White Sands National Monument
Interpretive program descriptions

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. See schedule below. 

The Evening Program is a one-hour slide program, video, or other presentation held at the amphitheater near the end of the Dunes Drive. Topics vary nightly. Visitors sit on a sand dune to view the program. Those who don't want to sit on the sand may bring blankets or folding chairs to sit on.  Evening Programs are given on summer weekends only. Programs begin at 8:30 p.m. from May 23 through August 20, and at 8:00 p.m. August 21 through September 7.

Lake Lucero Tours

 

2009 Sunset Stroll Schedule:

4:00 p.m.  January 1 - 11.

4:15 p.m. January 12 - 25.

4:30 p.m. January 26 - February 15.

4:45 p.m.  February 16 - March 1.

5:00 p.m.  March 2 - 7.

6:00 p.m.  March 8 - 22.

6:15 p.m.  March 23 - April 12.

6:30 p.m.  April 13 - May 3.

6:45 p.m.  May 4 -24.

7:00 p.m.  May 25 - July 31.

6:45 p.m. August 1 - 14.

6:30 p.m.  August 15 - 28.

6:15 p.m.  August 29 - September 11.

6:00 p.m.  September 12 - 18.

5:45 p.m.  September 19 - October 2.

5:30 p.m.  October 3 - 16.

5:15 p.m.  October 17 - 30.

4:00 p.m.  October 31 - December 24.

4:00 p.m. December 26 - 31.

 
Photo of sand avalanching  

Did You Know?
While the wind piles the sand grains into dunes, the dunes move forward under the force of gravity. As the leading edge of the dune ("slipface") gets steeper, gravity pulls an avalanche of sand down the slipface, moving the dune forward.

Last Updated: January 16, 2009 at 15:40 EST