Visit the National Monument

Ripple Dunes, White Sands NM
Photo: Rob Roberts

The following links will provide you with valuable information for your visit at the White Sands National Monument:

The monument is open daily year round.

Check here for the Operating Hours at White Sands National Monument

Scroll down for possible park closures.

You were able to see White Sands free of charge the weekend of July 18-19 or August 15-16, 2009. What was the occasion?

The free admission weekends was an idea of the brilliant man Ken Salazar, 50th Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, in order to aid those of us who have to pinch pennies.

KEN LOVES YOU

Off and on, there are still free admission days at White Sands National Monument. Check events for the next free admission day.

Other than that, and of May 2011, entrance fees are $3 per person (good for 7 days) and children 15 and under are free. 

Bring cash, you won't get far with credit cards at the entrance station on the Dunes Drive. 

Furthermore, the National Park Service informs:

Park Closures
Due to missile testing on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range, it is occasionally necessary, for visitor safety, to close the Dunes Drive for periods of up to three hours. The park Visitor Center and Gift Shop remain open during missile range closures. Visitors on a tight schedule should contact the park the day before arriving to check on closures (575) 679-2599.

U.S. Highway 70 between White Sands National Monument and Las Cruces may also be closed during times of missile testing. For US 70 closure information, call (505) 678-1178.

All closures are subject to change without notice.

Check NPS website
 

To the best of our knowledge all information is current. If you should discover any errors, however, please let us know via mail[at]white-sands-new-mexico.com. Thanks!

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