White Sands National Park Location: New Mexico's Gypsum Dunefield

White Sands National Park (redesignated from National Monument in December 2019) is located in the Tularosa Basin of the Chihuahuan Desert in southern New Mexico, USA.

Precise Location

• County: Otero County (primarily), extends into Doña Ana County
• Nearest City: Alamogordo (~15 miles northeast)
• Major Highways: US-70 runs along northern boundary
• Coordinates: 32.7797° N, 106.1717° W
• Elevation: ~4,000 ft (1,219 m) average

Geological Context

The park protects the world's largest gypsum dunefield—275 sq mi (712 km²) of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes. Gypsum (calcium sulfate) rarely forms sand because it dissolves in water, but the Tularosa Basin's enclosed drainage (no outlet to sea) allows evaporation to concentrate dissolved gypsum, which crystallizes as selenite, then breaks down into sand grains.

Surrounding Features

• San Andres Mountains (west)
• Sacramento Mountains (east)
• White Sands Missile Range (surrounds park; military testing causes occasional closures)
• Holloman Air Force Base (adjacent)
• Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (southwest)

Visitor Information

• Open: Year-round (check for missile range closures)
• Activities: Dune Drive (8 mi scenic loop), hiking (5 marked trails), sledding, photography, stargazing (International Dark Sky Park)
• Entrance Fee: $25/vehicle (7-day)

Distinction

Not to be confused with Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado—quartz sand, tallest dunes) or Sand Dunes National Park (doesn't exist). White Sands is unique for its pure gypsum composition.