• The dunes in soft light

    White Sands

    National Monument New Mexico

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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 »

Maps

Area Map
Area Map
 

Area Map
To download a copy of the above map complete with directions to the monument, click here (77Kb PDF).

White Sands National Monument Map
For a map of White Sands National Monument in its entirety, click here (818Kb PDF)

 

The Dunes Drive
An eight-mile scenic drive (16 miles round trip) leads from the Visitor Center into the heart of the dunes. Wayside exhibits at pullouts along the drive provide information about the natural history of the park. Numerous parking areas along the drive allow visitors to stop and walk in the white sands.

It takes roughtly 45 minutes to drive the entire route, plus additional time for walking, photography, or stopping at pullouts. A full list of trails in the park can be found here.

To download a detailed map of the Dunes Drive, click here (1.7Mb PDF)

 

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."