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SAND SLEDDING
In the gift shop, located directly behind the Visitors Center, you can
purchase your sand sleds.
SAND SLEDDING
And this is how it's done:
PICNIC IN THE
DUNES
There are three picnic areas at White Sands. Each one of the 45 tables is
equipped with a grill.
PICNIC AREAS AT WHITE SANDS
Photo:
Tory Davis
CAMPING AT WHITE SANDS
The permit for the Spartan backcountry campsite at White Sands (no water
or toilet facilities) goes for $3 per person.
CAMPING
AT THE SANDS
Photo:
Tory Davis
RANGER GUIDED TOURS
Ranger guided tours are held every evening throughout the year, except
when staff is not available. On your Sunset Stroll, which is less than a
mile long, you will learn about geology, plants, and animals of White
Sands.
Check guided tours
You can go on your own guided tour.
Circa 4 miles or 7 kilometers into the dunes you will find a boardwalk
with educational signs and explanations along its way. The boardwalk is
fully wheelchair accessible.
BOARDWALK INTO WHITE
SANDS
Photo:
Rob Roberts
WATCH THE STARS
White Sands National Monument has various astronomy events scheduled.
Check schedule
MOONLIGHT BICYCLE RIDES
Twice a year, White Sands offers moonlight bicycle rides. You will have to
call in to make reservations in advance. Admission is $5. The 2008 bicycle
rides are fully booked. 2009 bicycle rides will be posted in January
2009.
SEE DETAILS
Of course you can ride your
bicycle all you want during the day, every day.
Speaking of moonlight, here's the
moon's schedule for 2008 and 2009 provided by the U.S. Naval Observatory:
2008 Phases of the Moon
Universal Time
NEW MOON FIRST QUARTER FULL MOON LAST QUARTER
d h m d h m d h m d h m
JAN. 8 11 37 JAN. 15 19 46 JAN. 22 13 35 JAN. 30 5 03
FEB. 7 3 44 FEB. 14 3 33 FEB. 21 3 30 FEB. 29 2 18
MAR. 7 17 14 MAR. 14 10 46 MAR. 21 18 40 MAR. 29 21 47
APR. 6 3 55 APR. 12 18 32 APR. 20 10 25 APR. 28 14 12
MAY 5 12 18 MAY 12 3 47 MAY 20 2 11 MAY 28 2 57
JUNE 3 19 23 JUNE 10 15 04 JUNE 18 17 30 JUNE 26 12 10
JULY 3 2 19 JULY 10 4 35 JULY 18 7 59 JULY 25 18 42
AUG. 1 10 13 AUG. 8 20 20 AUG. 16 21 16 AUG. 23 23 50
AUG. 30 19 58 SEPT. 7 14 04 SEPT. 15 9 13 SEPT. 22 5 04
SEPT. 29 8 12 OCT. 7 9 04 OCT. 14 20 02 OCT. 21 11 55
OCT. 28 23 14 NOV. 6 4 03 NOV. 13 6 17 NOV. 19 21 31
NOV. 27 16 55 DEC. 5 21 26 DEC. 12 16 37 DEC. 19 10 29
DEC. 27 12 22
2009 Phases of the Moon
Universal Time
NEW MOON FIRST QUARTER FULL MOON LAST QUARTER
d h m d h m d h m d h m
JAN. 4 11 56 JAN. 11 3 27 JAN. 18 2 46
JAN. 26 7 55 FEB. 2 23 13 FEB. 9 14 49 FEB. 16 21 37
FEB. 25 1 35 MAR. 4 7 46 MAR. 11 2 38 MAR. 18 17 47
MAR. 26 16 06 APR. 2 14 34 APR. 9 14 56 APR. 17 13 36
APR. 25 3 23 MAY 1 20 44 MAY 9 4 01 MAY 17 7 26
MAY 24 12 11 MAY 31 3 22 JUNE 7 18 12 JUNE 15 22 15
JUNE 22 19 35 JUNE 29 11 28 JULY 7 9 21 JULY 15 9 53
JULY 22 2 35 JULY 28 22 00 AUG. 6 0 55 AUG. 13 18 55
AUG. 20 10 02 AUG. 27 11 42 SEPT. 4 16 03 SEPT. 12 2 16
SEPT. 18 18 44 SEPT. 26 4 50 OCT. 4 6 10 OCT. 11 8 56
OCT. 18 5 33 OCT. 26 0 42 NOV. 2 19 14 NOV. 9 15 56
NOV. 16 19 14 NOV. 24 21 39 DEC. 2 7 30 DEC. 9 0 13
DEC. 16 12 02 DEC. 24 17 36 DEC. 31 19 13
HIKING IN THE DUNES
Hiking in the dunes is an amazing experience. However, make sure you bring
enough water. A gallon per person is advised. Also, the surrounding
mountains are a good help for orientation in case you didn't bring a
compass. Sun glasses and sunblock are recommended.
HIKING AT WHITE SANDS
Photo:
Tory Davis
Did anybody ever get lost out in the
Sands?
They sure did. In 2007,
a photographer became lost while looking for a place to take pictures. He
was found safe the next morning.
In 2002, a Japanese citizen became lost while photographing the sands. He
died from severe dehydration.
Famous disappearances in history:
In 1898, Judge Albert J. Fountain most famously vanished at White Sands
together with his eight year-old son Henry. They just disappeared. Three
men were brought to trial for murder in Hillsboro, New Mexico, but weren't
found guilty. Nobody has a clue what really happened. In fact, people
today speak of the Fountain Mystery.
The National Park Service advises:
Most of the people who become lost at White Sands were not intending
to hike, and thus were not prepared for an extended stay in the dune area.
We have signs and advisories in our brochures that all should remain aware
of their surroundings and carry adequate amounts of water with them when
venturing from developed areas within the Monument.
Few people (about 10 each year) are reported lost within White Sands.
People should always remember to stay within sight of developed areas or
other people if their intentions are not hiking related.
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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