4/8 White Sands National Park, NM

 Yes, White Sands National Monument is now White Sands National Park, however, the change is so new that the signs have not yet been changed.  In addition, like all the national parks or monuments right now, there are limited services available.  For example, the roads and dunes areas were all open, but the back country campgrounds were closed, as was the visitor center.  They did have some items available on tables, but would only allow one group in at a time due to COVID.  Rest rooms at the visitor center were open, but no ranger programs were available. 

White Sands National Park is right in the middle of White Sands Missile Test Center.  Some of the earliest tests of rockets and missile were done here.   In fact, there are still missiles being tested here, so occasionally the road to the park is closed.  

As you get closer to the park, you can see the white sand dunes in the distance. 

I imagine this sign will be changed soon.

I  have been here before, but it is still an interesting place to return to.  And if you have kids, it is a fantastic fun place because you can jump, run, or even sled down the dunes here.

This sign celebrates the missile tests that occurred in the 50s and 60s, and in fact continue to occur here. 

The white sands are really gypsum that formed in an ancient sea between 280 and 250 million years ago.  After the sea dried up, the tectonic plates pushed up mountains in the area and eventually caused layers of gypsum to collect in a dry lake bed.  After the climate dried, wind caused the gypsum crystals to blow around, resulting in the dunes. 

You can tell that the road has been plowed here.  It looks a lot like snow, but it was almost 90 today, not exactly cold enough for snow.

As dunes grow, often the plants have to grow long stems to keep from being buried, so some of the plants you see below have stems that are 20' or taller. 

After the pavement ends, the road becomes hard-packed sand.  It looks a lot like pavement, but you would not want to drive on it in a rainstorm as it becomes sloppy, and you can get stuck.  Except that they hardly ever get rain here!

There are a lot of large parking areas where you can pull over and let the kids, or the adults, have fun.  I saw several families picnicking. 

It is often hot and windy here, so some of the picnic areas have these covered tables. 

Another activity that you can do here, but which I did not have time for, is barefoot hiking.  Even when it is hot, the sand is soft and pleasant on your feet.  And today was lovely--warm with a nice breeze blowing.  Time to head to Oliver Lee Memorial State Park near Alamogordo, NM. 

And finally, enjoy this video showing a 360 degree view:  https://youtu.be/-r4tkb7TmMQ