White Sands National Monument

The white sands of the monument were formed over thousands of years as rain water and snow melt, which dissolved gypsum from the San Andres Mountains, flowed into the Tularosa Basin. The shallow lake that formed dried up as the climate changed, leaving behind a large gypsum playa. Strong winds from the southwest are constantly breaking down the gypsum crystals into the fine sand of the dunes and piling them up into ever-changing shapes.

 The monument has a small visitor center with exhibits and a short video. A sixteen mile scenic drive winds through the dunes with stops at picnic areas and hiking trails. 

    The visitor center and theater are accessible. The Interdune Boardwalk is accessible however the area is off limits due to the 2024 crash of an Air Force jet. The pilot ejected before the crash and was uninjured but the area is not safe for visitors. The Playa Interpretive Trail is about 1/3 of a mile out and back. It's hard packed and accessible with assistance and leads to a seasonally wet area where gypsum crystals form. The interpretive signs are too high to be read from a seated position. The other trails and the dunes are not accessible with a standard wheelchair. 

The visitor center lot has long RV spots. Most of the other parking lots are large enough for any vehicle. Monument   32.77918, -106.17214