- State: NM
- NPCA Region: Southwest
- Est. Date: 1933
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Significant Concern
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
They may look like mounds of snow, but the dunes in this park are made of a rare form of crystallized gypsum. Because gypsum dissolves easily in water, rain would normally wash it away and carry it to the sea. In this part of the Chihuahuan Desert, however, the land forms a basin, trapping the mineral; water evaporates, leaving the gypsum behind, and wind and weather erode it over time into an ocean of glittering sand. The entire dune field is a massive 275 square miles (by comparison, the second-largest gypsum dune field in the world, Cuatro Ciénegas in Mexico, is only 8 square miles). Hiking and sledding over this vast white expanse of powder is a singular, otherworldly experience.
-
Blog Post
6 National Parks That Will Benefit from New Fossil Protections
In early September, the Interior Department implemented a long-awaited rule that will protect fossils from theft and loss on hundreds of public lands, including national park sites. Here are just…
-
Magazine Article
Fossil Tales
At White Sands National Park, history unfolds one 10,000-year-old footprint at a time.
More about White Sands
-
Read more about A Collision of Breaths
Podcast Episode A Collision of Breaths Poetry and the parks are always there for us when we seek beauty, solace and meaning. Today, we celebrate that timeless connection ― and National Poetry Month ― with some of our favorite national park poems.
-
Read more about Prehistoric Sharks Discovered at Mammoth Cave, Among Other Scientific Surprises
Blog Post Prehistoric Sharks Discovered at Mammoth Cave, Among Other Scientific Surprises Paleontologists uncover remarkable findings at three separate park sites, with potential for more new discoveries
-
Read more about A National Park Is Born
Magazine Article A National Park Is Born White Sands National Monument becomes the country’s 62nd national park. What will change?
-
Read more about Elevating White Sands National Monument to National Park Benefits Local Economy
Press Release Elevating White Sands National Monument to National Park Benefits Local Economy The re-designation would create New Mexico's second National Park, and could bring in millions of tourism revenue to local communities, according to new study.
-
We need to preserve the wonderful lands we have, and keep them open for ALL to enjoy!! — Shawna
-
Read more about The Rise of the National Park Mascots
Blog Post The Rise of the National Park Mascots From Major Muskrat to Sunny Saguaro, human-sized mascots help national parks attract new visitors and convey important messages about wildlife and safety.
-
Read more about True Colors
Magazine Article True Colors What can the rapidly evolving white lizards of White Sands National Monument tell us about how animals can survive environmental change?
-
Read more about Rock On: 11 Lesser-Known Geologic Wonders in National Parks
Blog Post Rock On: 11 Lesser-Known Geologic Wonders in National Parks From mysterious gliding rocks in Death Valley to fossils of some of the most ancient life forms in Glacier, here are 11 lesser-known geologic wonders—including a few personal favorites from Bruce Heise of the Park Service’s Geologic Resources Inventory program.
-
Read more about One-of-a-Kind Destinations: 11 National Park Curiosities
Blog Post One-of-a-Kind Destinations: 11 National Park Curiosities National parks preserve wondrous landscapes, stories, and artifacts—as well as a whole host of weird and exceptional sights. From wacky-looking rocks to giant monuments of steel, here’s a short list of places to explore that are like nowhere else in the world.
-
Read more about 10 Hidden Gems in the National Park System
Blog Post 10 Hidden Gems in the National Park System Want to explore a few remarkable places off the beaten path? These 10 NPCA picks offer great ways to escape the crowds while enjoying unique, underappreciated natural and cultural treasures around the country.
Donate
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now