White Sands National Monument: Where you can go Sledding in the Middle of the Desert
White Sands National Monument is one of the most unique natural wonders you can visit out West, 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 soft white sand is so soft that your feet 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.
And what’s even more interesting, is that you can (and will see) lots of people actually sledding down the dunes. The sand is surprisingly really cool to the touch as gypsum sand does not easily convert the sun’s heat, which is pretty necessary in the desert of New Mexico where summer temps can soar past 100 on a daily basis.
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 about White Sands 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, although a few exist for those who prefer a mess free look at the dunes.
There’s plenty of space for everyone despite the heavy traffic the park sees on a daily basis, and this is one place where you really feel as if you are in the middle of nowhere.
The history of White Sands
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 stroll past 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.
An easy day trip
White Sands really is an incredibly unusual place that you need to check out if you are traveling through the area. I would not necessarily go out of my way to visit as there are plenty of mesmerizing destinations across the country. However, it’s definitely worth a look for anyone looking for a nice addition to any Southern New Mexico vacation!
White Sands 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.
Location & Admission
Hours are 7am-9pm
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).
