Saturday, November 19, 2011

White Sands National Monument

Deep in the heart of New Mexico, White Sands National Monument features 275 square miles of white sand dunes in the middle of the desert. Similar to the sand you would find on Florida beaches, this sand has no ocean nearby.

If you prefer to view the park from your car, the Dunes Drive provides you with an 8-mile scenic drive. A picnic area allows you to enjoy a picnic lunch in the middle of this unusual desert. However, you must bring in your own water. There are pit toilets available, but no running water. Parking areas and wayside pull-outs appear all along the road. When you do stop, you are free to walk over the sand dunes.



Those who prefer to view the park on foot can take advantage of several trails. Because this is the desert, though, be sure to take along plenty of water and snacks to prevent dehydration. In addition to using the marked trails, those who are feeling a little more adventurous can walk anywhere in the park. The only requirement is that you use designated parking areas for your vehicle. If you hike off the trails, you must use caution. Many of the sand dunes look alike and it is easy to get lost.

The white sand dunes are a truly impressive site to see. One of the things that I enjoyed the most when I visited these dunes is viewing animal tracks. Even small tracks from insects create an interesting pattern in the sands.

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