One of New Mexico’s natural wonders is the glistening White Sands. One of the greatest natural marvels of the world, these gypsum dunes may be seen in the Tularosa Basin. The largest gypsum dunefield in the world was formed when the dunes ate up 275 square miles of desert. White Sands National Park safeguards the vast majority of this rare geological formation, in addition to several native plant and animal species.
Although President Hoover designated the area as a national monument in 1933, President Trump designated it as the 62nd National Park in the United States in 2019. Because of the historical and cultural artefacts it protects, the park has been elevated to the status of a national park.
White Sands National Monument
The following are some of the ways in which gypsum sand differs from typical white sand dunes utah: One, it may be diluted with water. It’s colourless, for one thing. Third, it doesn’t soak up heat, which comes in handy on a hot August day. Because the transparent sand has been scraped, the sun’s rays reflect and paint the sand white. The park is also interesting since it is home to 3,000 African Oryx, which are similar in appearance to giant gazelle.
This essay aims to inspire you by giving you the proper quantity of knowledge. The internet will eventually include stories that are more in-depth, but they will be far more time-consuming to read. Let’s just stick to the good stuff, and I really hope it’s useful to you in some way. Enjoy!
There is no contest between sunrise and sunset as the prime times to visit.
Mornings and evenings are ideal for photography since the light is softer and there are less people around. This is especially essential to remember at White Sands National Park, where the gypsum sand is highly reflective throughout the day. The sky is typically more dramatic, the mountains are more distinct, and the shadows created on the dunes are impressive.
The tourist centre should be explored before venturing out into the sand dunes.
The dunes are beautiful to look at, but they also harbour hidden treasures. The visitor centre offers a thorough and understandable breakdown of the intricate ecosystem. A children’s educational video about animals is being shown in a local movie theatre, and it’s doing a great job of keeping the kids interested. Having some context for your gypsum dune trip will make the experience that more richer.
While you’re in the park, take a long walk in the interior. Following Their Steps Out of the Tracks
To acquire those iconic photos of the dunes, you’ll need to do two things: 1. Travel 7.5 km from the visitor centre to the end of the road (where there is a loop with enough parking). Walk for around twenty or thirty minutes towards the direction of the mountains. The sand dunes near the parking areas are permanently marked by the footprints of parkgoers. Climbing a few more dunes will make your footprints less obvious.
You may go sand sledding if you want in White Sands National Park.
When compared to snow, sand is nearly as fun to play on. White Sands National Park features a gift shop where you can buy sleds, or you may bring your own. The KOA in Alamogordo will let you borrow one for free.
