Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park is an American national park located in the state of New Mexico and completely surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range.The park covers 145,762 acres (227.8 sq mi; 589.9 km 2) in the Tularosa Basin, including the southern 41% of a 275 sq mi (710 km 2) field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. This gypsum dunefield is the largest of its kind on Earth.
White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is a pretty special place. travel
The largest gypsum dune field in the world is located at White Sands National Monument in south-central New Mexico. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert within an "internally drained valley" called the Tularosa Basin. The monument ranges in elevation from 3890' to 4116' above sea level. White Sands National Monument is located just 13 miles outside of the small town of Alamogordo and 50 miles from the city of Las Cruces. Both spots offer plenty of hotels, including the enchanting. Monument Designation The White Sands dunefield fits the description of what the National Park Service sought in prospective sites: "economic worthlessness and monumentalism." The area had already sparked scientific interest with the first published research occurring in scientific journals in 1870. White Sands National Park, an expanse of dazzling white gypsum sands in south-central New Mexico, U.S., covering 275 square miles (712 square km). It is situated in the Tularosa Basin, between Alamogordo (northeast) and Las Cruces (southwest). Established in 1933 as a national monument, it was redesignated a national park in 2019.
White Sands National Monument, New Mexico [2000x1333][OC] r/EarthPorn
Discover one of the world's great natural wonders, the glistening white sands of New Mexico. The seemingly endless sea of white sand engulfs nearly 275 sq. mi. of desert, with nearly 230 sq. mi. for recreating, makes up the world's largest gypsum dune field. White Sands was established as a national monument in 1933 and re-designated as a. 70 million years ago As the earth's tectonic plates started to shift and collide, the pressure from these movements pushed up land, eventually creating many of our modern-day mountain ranges, including the Rocky Mountains and the mountains surrounding the area that is home to the park today. NPS Photo 30 million years ago What is White Sands National Park? White Sands National Monument was designated a National Park and renamed White Sands National Park in December 2019. This park is in the Tularosa Basin in Southern New Mexico and consists of a white sands dune field that covers 275 square miles, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world. There are 5 established trails in the park, the largest being the Alkali Flat Trail. Interdune Boardwalk - This easy 0.4 mile trail is great for the whole family and even wheel chair accessible. Playa Trail - 0.5 mile easy trail. Dune Life Nature Trail - 1 mile moderate loop hike. Backcountry Camping Trail - 2 mile moderate round trip hike.
White Sands National Monument New Mexico, USA hiking
Known for its impressive landscape of white, wave-like gypsum sand dunes, White Sands National Monument preserves a massive area of dunes, plants, and wildlife within the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Trails include the Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail. White Sands National Park is open daily year-round except for December 25, Christmas Day. Hours of operation vary throughout. White Sands National Park 4,207 reviews #2 of 1,883 things to do in New Mexico National ParksGeologic Formations Closed now 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Write a review About Visitors to this endless waterless sea can enjoy driving, hiking, visiting a museum and sledding down the huge dunes. Duration: 2-3 hours Suggest edits to improve what we show.
White Sands National Monument is a national park in the United State's New Mexico State. The White Sands Missile Range surrounds 275 square miles of the park. The Tularosa Basin is where you find the park. The Basin is between mountains in the east and west directions. New Mexico > White Sands National Park. Highlights: Spectacular dunes of pure white gypsum, covering 275 square miles; one of the most magical places in the Southwest, especially at sunset or sunrise. The park has a few trails and viewing areas, while off-trail exploration is allowed in most areas. Nearest city with hotels: Alamogordo, 13 miles.
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Nestled in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, White Sands National Monument is a breathtaking landscape of rolling white gypsum dunes that seem to stretch endlessly into the horizon. Covering over 275 square miles, the dunes of White Sands are a geologic wonder that has intrigued scientists and visitors alike for centuries. New Mexico's White Sands Is Officially a National Park The country's largest dune field has been a national monument since 1933, but now it's our 62nd national park Wufei Yu (Photo).
