The sands shimmer in the sun. People of all ages speed down the hills of gypsum with gleeful expressions. The surreal landscape has played a background role in many videos and motion pictures. King Solomon’s Mine (1950) won a Bests Color Cinematography Oscar as did Transformers (2007). The Dunes Drive is a 8-mile loop providing access to several hiking trails, picnic areas and “sledding” opportunities. Gypsum really does glitter like snow, feels like fine sand and unseen creatures leave their footprints – proof of their presence. The Interdune Boardwalk is totally assessable and describes the parks geology, ecosystems and animals who call this home.
WHITE SANDS
Category: West Region
State: New Mexico
Date Created: White Sands National Park was redesignated from a national monument to a national park on December 20, 2019
Last Visited by Susan: December 2023
Location: Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, USA
Size: Approximately 146,344 acres (59,227 hectares).
Nature is pleased with simplicity. And nature is no dummy.
— Isaac Newton
Susan's Reflections:
