Is White Sands worth visiting?
White Sands National Park (on Mescalero Apache and Tampachoa native land) is an extremely beautiful place and definitely worth the stop if you find yourself near southern New Mexico. The white sand dunes are like nothing I’ve ever seen before, comprised predominantly of the mineral called gypsum.
How many days do you need in White Sands National Park?
depends on what you want to do. there are hikes, you can go for sunrise, you can stay the night there, you can walk for miles over the dunes. I went over 2 days (your pass is valid for both) and probably spent about 5 hours total, but I am obsessed with emptiness and silence, for which you have to walk some distance.
Can you do White Sands in one day?
Drive the Dunes It takes about 45 minutes to complete the entire drive, but you may want to allow additional time to explore exhibits, walk or play in the sand, and take photographs.
Is White Sands close to Carlsbad Caverns?
From more than 145,000 acres of glistening white gypsum dunes to an unearthly landscape below ground, White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns couldn’t be more different, but these southern New Mexico attractions, located roughly 200 miles apart, share one important trait: They’re frequently at the top of …
Is White Sands open during Covid?
White Sands National Park is open daily year-round except for December 25, Christmas Day.
What is the best time of year to visit White Sands National Park?
Probably the best time to visit is late October / early November when the Cottonwoods are changing color. By mid November most of the Cottonwoods have changed color.
What is the best time to visit White Sands National Monument?
Do you need passport for White Sands National Park?
If you are not an American citizen, you will need to have your passport with you to get past the checkpoint. Monument operating hours vary by season and the park is occasionally closed for periods of up to three hours due to missile tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range.
Is Carlsbad Caverns open during Covid?
Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, access to Carlsbad Caverns National Park is as follows: Open: Visitor Center and Cavern.
Why is Carlsbad Caverns closed?
Extreme fire danger has resulted in the closure of the unpaved Walnut Canyon Desert Drive due to tall grass in some parking areas. The main park road to the visitor center and cavern is OPEN.
Can you drive through white sands?
The road is suitable for cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and buses. From time to time, White Sands Missile Range performs missile tests that may close Highway 70 to traffic. Depending on the nature of the testing, Dunes Drive may also be closed during missile tests for visitor safety.
What shoes should I wear to White Sands?
The gypsum sand is very fine and will get into every nook and cranny of your tennis shoes or hiking shoes. So unless you plan on walking several miles or really need the ankle support, I recommend wearing hiking sandals or even going barefoot at White Sands National Park.