A short history of white sands national monument white. In 1933, president herbert hoover designated nearly. Here, an 8 mile loop road takes visitors into the chihuahuan desert where they are free to hike. Located in southern new mexico, the popularity of the monument draws nearly half a million visitors each year to the national park services southwestern. White sands national monument has been designated as the. White sands national park books and guides national parked. Lose yourself in the white sands travel smithsonian. I read this book while visiting the monument this weekend, and these pages definitely contain more information than what you will find in the park monument brochure, or in.
The range of films covers the spectrum from movies such as transformers and the book of eli to music videos with artists pink floyd, boyz ii men, and puff daddy, along with many documentaries and commercials. The white sands national monument is a very cool area, 275 square miles of the finest white sands. A national park is born national parks conservation association. The area has 3 good hiking trails that are not to difficult and are interesting to walk on the sand. This gypsum dune field is a rare site, over 200 miles of desert and white sands. These places include the park s historic district, which is listed in the national register of historic places, as well as the.
The park protects the southern part of a 275squaremile 710 km 2 field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. White sands missile range public affairs white sands history u. White sands national parks conservation association. Booderee is owned by the wreck bay aboriginal community and has always been a significant place for koori people. Well even let you know about secret offers and sales when you sign up to our emails.
The white sands proving ground was established in 1945 and was later renamed white sands missle range. Both military areas still operate around the park boundaries and in the cooperative use area in the western part of the park. Animals such as lions, sabertoothed cats, wolves, sloths, and more inhabited the area and fossils have been found scattered around the basin. The natural history story of white sands national monument, natural history series, no. The gypsum dune field is the largest of its kind on earth. White sands to become a national park alamogordo daily news. The white sands national monument is a very cool area, 275 square miles of the finest white sands, any golfer would be happy to play out off. White sands national monument becomes the countrys 62nd national park.
White sands today throughout the monuments history the national park service has improved visitor access to the dunefield, and continues to strive for this today. National parks and the politics of external threats. White sands is located in south central new mexico. In more recent times, spanish explorers and miners came to the basin in pursuit of salt, gypsum, and other resources. Formed by the slow erosion of gypsum from the surrounding. Find cheap deals and discount rates among them that best fit your budget. It is the largest pure gypsum dune field in the world. The wonder of white sands high country news know the west. We rent sleds and hit the dunes at white sands national park, americas newest national park. White sands national monument new mexico all you need to.
White sands was established as a national monument in 1933 and redesginated as a national park in 2019. If you choose to visit a national park, please ensure that you follow cdc and state and local guidelines to prevent the spread of infectious. White sands national monument new mexico all you need. Browse expedias selection of 120 hotels and places to stay closest to white sands national monument. A national park is born national parks conservation. The stories in white sands find geoff dyer on journeys in various parts of the world. Into the great white sands photography book and exhibitions. Adventuring into the surreal landscape of white sands national park in southern new mexico for many. White sands superintendent dennis ditmanson trace the parks history as. Sledding and hiking in the chihuahuan desert white sands. The rolling bright white sand dunes of white sands national monument have set the scene for westerns, science fiction, and apocalyptic films. That work is collected in his new book, into the great white sands.
This film provides an overall look at the critical historic contributions of the united states army to the reaching and exploration of outer space and the sea. Top 10 hotels closest to white sands national monument in. White sands national park is an american national park located in the state of new mexico on. White sands national park is an american national park in the southeastern region of the state of new mexico. The natural history story of white sands national monument. Welsh illustrated html at national park service items below if any are from related and broader terms. White sands national park alamogordo, new mexico atlas. A short history of white sands national monument national park. Throughout the monuments history the national park service has improved visitor access to the dunefield, and continues to strive for this today. Because gypsum dissolves easily in water, rain would normally wash it away and carry it to the sea. The wind blown sands and rolling dunes of white sands national park blanket an area of 115 square miles in southcentral new mexico. White sands national monument and the tularosa basin are filled with stories and history from previous and current generations who have passed through this area and left behind subtle evidences of their comings and goings. Our adventure packs are just the thing to help you do that. Our hotel borders the lincoln national forest and is a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts.
Fill out the necessary form for borrowing the pack and be on your way to an adventure. View all attractions near white sands national monument on tripadvisor. History of white sands national park before the ice age, white sands national park was sprawling with lush vegetation, large lakes, and flowing rivers. White sands national park is the home of the worlds largest gypsum dune field. A unique history president herbert hoover signed white sands national monument into the national parks system on jan. White sands national park travel guide at wikivoyage.
The worlds largest gypsum dune field, the 275squaremile dunes of white sands national monument are a geologic oddity more than 250 million years in the making. White sands national park service department of the interior white sands national monument local history recommended reading list for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. White sands is a very new national park, though its been a national monument for many years. Why you need to plan a stop at white sands national park. A history of white sands national monument 1995, by michael e. The areas natural beauty can be seen at white sands national monument and oliver lee memorial state park, while toy train depot and international space hall of fame are cultural highlights. The wavelike dunes of white sands national park foundation. White sands national park is an american national park located in the state of new mexico on u. Official national park service approved patches, pins, magnets, passport stickers, and more from white sands national monument.
We offer hotel reservation services for over 25 area hotels, motels, and other lodging, as well as car hire and many other services. The dunes at white sands likely began to form 7,000 to 10,000 years. New mexicos white sands national monument and its waves of white gypsum sand. This article is of interest to the following wikiprojects. Dec 21, 2019 white sands was not used, but the missile range was.
White sands national park, new mexico southwestler. Today, its location between several military bases means the monument is sometimes closed due to missile tests. The white sands national park establishment act increases the size of the park by more than 4,800 acres and specifically mentions white sands fragile hydrological resources as one of the park s valued assets, which adds a small but important layer of protection. Commercial filming has been happening at white sands national monument since 1950.
With all that said, what does white sands national park have to offer for travelers. White sands national monument preserves a major portion of this gypsum dune field, along with the plants and animals that have successfully adapted to this constantly changing environment. During your next vacation, explore the various points of interest that surround alamogordo. White sands, new mexico the worlds great natural wonder. White sands national monument activities sightseeing along dunes drive. Jan 09, 2020 white sands, americas 62nd national park. Sands superintendent dennis ditmanson trace the park s history as a tourist.
White sands national park service department of the interior white sands national monument geology recommended reading list for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. Visitors are always encouraged to check before making the trek. They may look like mounds of snow, but the dunes in this park are made of a rare form of crystallized gypsum. Why you need to plan a stop at white sands national park on. Located at the entrance of the park, youll find the visitors center off highway us70 between. Guide books will be coming with its new status, but for now, this is a great allaround book, focused on photos. White sands national park is located about 15 miles 24 km southwest of alamogordo, new mexico, united states, in the tularosa basin. White sands national monument, new mexico is a place unlike any other. Book your national park lodging here for these major united states, canadian and other worldwide national parks and monuments. Part of the legistlation will have the two exchange some land that is better suited for their purposes white sands now being a full fledged national park that can grow on the 900,000 plus visitors that came this year to date. White sands national monument new mexico 2020 all you need.
Legend has it that the ghost bride, dressed all in white, is still searching for her lover in the dunes. People over 10,000 years ago the first people came to white sands national park in search of food, water, and shelter. Booderee national park is a place of outstanding natural beauty located at jervis bay on the nsw south coast. The trinity site in the white sands national park represents one of the most monumental points in human history. Save on popular hotels near white sands national monument, new mexico.
While white sands national monument is a part of white sands missile range, the trinity test site is not a part of the monument. If you are the publisher or author of this book and feel that the. Each piece is preceded by a brief prologue relating to the. Welcome to white sands national monument hotel guide. Parents can check out a top by the visitor center and ask if we have one available to loan. A photographer lovingly documents new mexicos desert national monument.
Route 70 approximately 52 miles 84 km northeast of las cruces and 15 miles 24 km southwest of alamogordo in western otero county and northeastern dona ana county. White sands was established as a national monument in 1933, but its history goes back much further. These books are great resources in the classroom for teachers and would be an interesting read for students as well. The park was originally designated white sands national monument on january 18, 1933 by president herbert hoover, and redesignated as a national park when congress passed the 2020 national defense authorization act on december 20, 2019. To establish the white sands national park in the state of new mexico as a unit of the national park system, and for other purposes. New mexicos white sands is the newest national park. The first place to stop is the visitors center, where you can learn about the geology and history of the towering dunes.
The dunes at white sands likely began to form 7,000 to 10,000 years ago as lake otero began to dry up, according to. The tularosa basin in southern new mexico, a high desert area, averages 4,000 feet 1200 meters in elevation. This is a short, highly informative book full of general information about the history and ecology of white sands national monument, which is located in southern new mexico. Sands superintendent dennis ditmanson trace the park. Given national monument status in 1933 by president herbert hoover, white sands is located in the tularosa basin of southern new mexico. Mar 24, 2018 white sands national monument, new mexico is a place unlike any other. Learn more about the oral histories and stories handed down through the generations. The park is situated at an average elevation of about 4,000 feet 1,219 m in. Our hotels prime location lets you visit alameda park zoo, new mexico museum of space history and white sands national monument. Following guidance from the white house, centers for disease control and prevention, and state and local public health authorities, we are.
White sands national park western national parks store. Today visitors can experience some of the most iconic historic places associated with the basins rich history. The history of a national monument paperback june 1, 1993 by. White sands national park has been listed as a level5 vital article in an unknown topic.
Located at the entrance of the park, youll find the visitors center off highway us70 between the cities of alamogordo and las cruces, new mexico. Witness and learn the unique history of the park from prehistoric times to the atomic age and its. White sands national monument touch the southwest luxury tours. Booderee is an aboriginal word from the dhurga language meaning bay of plenty or plenty of fish. White sands was not used, but the missile range was. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you selected. On january 18, 1933, president herbert hoover established white sands national monument to protect a portion of the worlds largest gypsum dunefield and additional features of scenic, scientific, and educational interest. Calls for giving white sands national park status date back a century. Wikiproject national register of historic places rated bclass, highimportance. We are the most comprehensive hotel guide for white sands national monument. There is a magical element to be found in photographs of the white sands. Administrative history white sands national monument.
History of filming since the early days of film on the silver screen, national parks have been popular destinations for photographers, videographers, and cinematographers. The park service says that white sands is a wet environment at 100% humidity. It protects the largest gypsum dune on earth, a remnant of bygone lakes. This new book about the white sands national monument comprises a superb collection of photographs by craig varjabedian along with three essays about the area by jeanetta calhoun mish, dennis ditmanson and jim eckles. White sands national monument new mexico 2020 all you. Our hotel borders the lincoln national forest and is. Top 10 hotels closest to white sands national monument in new. Feb 22, 2020 we rent sleds and hit the dunes at white sands national park, americas newest national park.
Each generation of visitors to the tularosa basin and white sands national park have left their mark. County commissioners will discuss white sands national monument being designated as a national park at next meeting. Would you like to learn about the animals of white sands national park while exploring the dunes. Your first stop should be the white sands visitor center, which includes a museum, information desk, book store, gift shop and restrooms. New mexicos white sands national park hit the big leagues in december 2019, becoming the countrys 62nd national park. The museum also has a number of exhibition spaces which house changing art, craft and heritage based shows.
441 1617 1317 677 7 726 1076 558 1366 156 689 794 922 1093 1145 207 1466 64 112 35 977 351 624 1311 473 716 603 269 109 1331 1292