White Sands National Monument: Where you can go Sledding in the Middle of the Desert
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White Sands National Monument is one of the most unique natural wonders you can visit in the western states, or elsewhere for the matter. In isolated Southern New Mexico, you will come across a fascinating place where striking white gypsum sand dunes contrast beautifully amongst the clear blue skies of the Chihuahuan Desert. The sand is so soft to the touch that you will feel as if you are walking across a fresh blanket of winter snow. It’s quite an unusual place which seemingly pops up out of nowhere in the middle of barren desert land.
Mike and I planned a stop here while roadtripping through the southern portion of the state. We were living in Tucson at the time and figured we might as well see some of these unusual places while living in such close proximity. It’s a really cool place and I am glad that we had the opportunity to check it out.
The sand is cool to the touch!
The sand is surprisingly really cool to the touch. We learned during our visit that gypsum sand does not easily convert the sun’s heat. This is a good thing in the hot desert climate where summer temps soar past 100 daily. If you have step foot on a typical beach, then you know that sometimes the sand is so hot that you basically have to run to the water to cool down. Fortunately, that is not the case here! What’s even more interesting, is that you will see lots of people sledding down the dunes.
There is an 8 mile drive called Dunes Drive which starts from the visitor center. As soon as you start the scenic loop drive around the park, you will want to get out of your car, toss off your shoes, and walk up, down, and across the smooth soft dunes which appear to go on forever. The great thing is that you are basically free to go wherever you please. Simply walk, sled, take photos, or relax on whichever dune you like – there’s no need to follow a specific trail.
There’s plenty of space here for everyone despite the heavy traffic the park sees on a daily basis. At times, we felt like we were the only one around, lost in the middle of nowhere. It was a fun experience and I recommend everyone to check it out if you are traveling this way.
I would definitely add this place to my list of unusual attractions I’ve come across in recent years. If you are seeking a great escape from work or technology, you can easily forget about all your problems here, if only for an hour or 2.
I guess I picked the right bright orange shirt to really stand out!
For those interested in the history behind the dunes
We did some research at the visitors center as well as online as we wanted to know more why this exotic place exists. Basically, the area where the dunes now stand was home to a deep lake millions of years ago. This lake was layered with gypsum sand which is typically water soluble, however, much of the gypsum remained because it was created more quickly than it could be dissolved. When the lake’s water evaporated, the gypsum was broken down into selenite, which is what gives the sand the amazing bright white hue we see today.
There is a nice visitor’s center where you can watch a little history video on the area and also explore a number of educational exhibits. If you want to try sledding down the dunes (you should -it’s a blast!), you can pick up a sled in the visitor’s center. Also check with your hotel as many have sleds readily available for guests.
Here’s a few more historical facts to look over before your visit
An easy New Mexico daytrip
This gem is an easy day trip from Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Roswell, so be sure to add it to your itinerary if you are visiting any of these nearby cities. It’s a quick drive and you get to see totally otherworldly scenery in exchange for your time.
I would not necessarily go out of my way to visit as there are plenty of mesmerizing destinations across the country. However, it’s 100% worth a look if you are driving/staying within close proximity.
Other really cool daytrips which I recommend in this area include: The UFO Museum in Roswell and City of Rocks. The UFO museum is so quirky and you can read evidence proving and disapproving the existence of aliens. City of Rocks is a stunning hidden gem where you can walk or drive around the most exotic rock formations which seemingly jut out amongst the surrounding flat desert. I highly recommend checking both out if you are at all into oddball attractions.
Location & Admission
Hours are 7am-6pm (open til 9 in summer)
Admission is $15 per person/$25 vehicle or you can purchase an annual national parks pass for $80 bucks which is good for an entire year (a fantastic deal if you plan on visiting several parks in the upcoming year). Pricing current as of 2025.
