• 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.

Interpretive Programs

Full Moon Rising Over Dunes

Full Moon Hike
This summer White Sands will be offering a new way to experience the monument, under the glow of the full moon. Sign up for one of these ranger-led 1-1.5 mile hikes and explore the beautiful dunes in a whole new light. Learn more...

 
visitors enjoying a sunset stroll at the monument

Sunset Strolls    

Sunset strolls are a great way to end your day. Enjoy a leisurely one-hour ranger-guided walk through sand dunes and learn about the geology, plants, and animals of this unique area. Offered daily one hour before sunset. Learn more…

 
visitors enjoying a Lake Lucero tour

Lake Lucero Tours      

Join a ranger and learn about the formation of the sands and the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes. Learn more…

 
visitor registration at the full moon bike ride

Full Moon Bike Rides

Take a leisurely bike ride through the monument. No cars are allowed in the monument during the event. Learn more…

 
Full Moon rising at White Sands

Full Moon Nights

Enjoy the beauty of the white sands under the light of the full moon and join us for our six Full Moon Nights programs offered this summer. Learn more...

 
Ranger giving a patio talk

Map Talks
Learn about unique aspects of the monument from these 20-minute informal ranger talks on the patio of the visitor center. Learn more..

 
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Junior Ranger Program
Earn a Junior Ranger badge and learn about White Sands with a ranger. Learn More...

 
Crafty Kids

Crafty Kids
Come join a ranger and get your hands involved in learning! For more information on this one-hour program, click here...

 
Skins and Skulls

Skins and Skulls
Did you know 44 different species of mammals live at White Sands? Join rangers every Saturday and Sunday to learn more about them. More information....

 

White Sands National Monument 2012 calendar of events.

Full Moon Nights Schedule for 2012

 
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Did You Know?

Photo of yucca growing on a dune

Some species of plants can survive burial by a moving dune by a process called "stem elongation." As the sand rises, the plants quickly grow upward to keep their leaves above the rising sand.