In southwest New Mexico, lies the newest addition to US National Parks, White Sands National Park. Miles and miles of gypsum dunes give the park an otherworldly feeling. Don’t let the beauty fool you, there are many dangers in the park. Extreme heat and lack of diversity in landscape can cause problems for any visitor. This should not frighten you from visiting, just be prepared with lots of water and constant visibility of the road.
In White Sands National Park, a day is all you need. 8 miles one way of scenic road make it possible to see everything. After mile 5 the dunes are perfect for sledding, which is made possible by renting sleds at the visitor center. Although pricey, all proceeds go towards maintaining the park and keeping it a possibility for you to visit.
Visiting in early April was still toasty so plan your dates wisely. Long hikes are not a frequent activity in this national park, a simple stroll across the dunes will take your breath away both literally and metaphorically.
We were able to cook dinner and watch the sunset inside the park. If you can do this, you definitely should.
If looking for a place to camp, we recommend Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. Just 30 minutes outside White Sands and at the base of the beautiful Sacramento Mountains. The views from the campsite are truly spectacular. For an affordable price, Oliver Lee has all the amenities you’ll need. We loved making s’mores and stargazing by the campfire both nights we were there. A great campsite truly makes a visit memorable, and this place successfully did just that for us.
Although, White Sands is out of the way, it’s definitely worth visiting. Every aspect is unique, from driving through old western towns to get there, to seeing miles upon miles of pure white landscape. A great place for a weekend getaway.
Chicks Astray
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