White Sands National Park

Miles from nowhere the flat barren landscape reveals nothing more than the wind. At times you feel you can see the end of the earth. Suddenly something catches the sun in the distance, maybe it’s just a mirage in the desert. Getting closer it begins to reveal itself. It’s not a mirage. It’s not water either, rather as we soon discover, the natural evolution of an ancient sea.

As the largest gypsum dunefield in the world at 275 square miles, White Sands seems so out of place, almost like someone moved a beach to the middle of the desert. That would be cool, but to understand why these dunes are here is actually much more interesting. The sand is derived from an ancient sea that retreated millions of years ago and left behind deep layers of gypsum. As mountains rose and glaciers melted, the gypsum moved and dissolved into a fine white sand. Today the wind and rain continue the process.

The gypsum sand is like no other sand we have experienced. Other than its obvious white color, it is very fine and clean. Pick up a handful and throw it in the air and your hands are left clean and dry. No residue. It’s also cool in temperature due to a shallow water level underneath the dunes. And it’s soft and deep and can make for a serious workout walking through it.

There is one road that goes through the park and loops back the same way. Off of the road are many marked trails of different difficulty, but you can also free hike anywhere in the park. Some people even sled down the dunes. It’s a very unique experience but be prepared for a strenuous activity as you navigate up and down and through the dunes. If the wind is blowing, as it often does, it can become a bit uncomfortable as well.

The is no place to stay at White Sands so your choices are the small town of Alamogordo 18 miles to the northeast, or Las Cruces 50 miles to the southwest, where we opted to stay. Las Cruces is a destination in itself and well worth spending some time to experience its culture. It’s a vibrant city with around 111,000 people and home to New Mexico State University. The city’s major employer is the federal government on nearby White Sands Test Facility and White Sands Missile Range. Be sure to visit the Mesilla Plaza for some shopping and dining and while your there check out the Old Mesilla Courthouse where Billy the Kid was sentenced to death.

A trip to White Sands would not be complete without a drive to Cloudcroft. Cloudcroft is an old mining town 35 miles northeast of White Sands in the Sacramento Mountains at an altitude of 8,650 feet. The drive there is half the joy, but the tiny town has a lot to offer as well, with its shops, restaurants, wineries and bars. There’s even a small ski resort on the backside of the mountain. It’s well worth the side trip and you should also stop at the Old Apple Barn on the way. This historic apple barn was built in 1941 for the trains traveling through to stop and load locally grown apples. Today they have fresh baked goods, a gift shop and a seasonal bistro.

White Sands is just one of many great destinations in New Mexico. Consider checking it out in your travels. For now, enjoy some of our pictures from the area.