• 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 »

Skins and Skulls

Skins and Skulls

Did you know that 44 different species of mammals live at White Sands?

Join rangers at 3 pm every Saturday and Sunday in the visitor center courtyard for a 20-minute talk about these amazing animals. Rangers will have pelts, skulls, and other props to provide you an up-close look and feel of the elusive wildlife of White Sands.

There is no charge for the program.

Did You Know?

Photo of kangaroo rat

Because there is virtually no fresh water within the White sands dunefield, animals that live in the dunes must get almost all their water solely from the food they eat. Desert animals have evolved many ways of conserving moisture. The kangaroo rat eats only dry seeds and never drinks water.