Why White Sands National Park is Worth a Visit

          Have you been to White Sands National Park in New Mexico? It’s one of the newest National Parks in the U.S.  I recently visited while driving across the country.  It was really high on my list of places to visit because I love sand dunes.  Having grown up next to Indiana Dunes National Park, I am always drawn to dunes.  I was only there for a couple of hours but you don’t really need that much time at this park to make the most of it.  It’s a relatively small park.  I made a few stops and walked out onto the dunes.  

          What makes this park super special is the color of the sand.  It’s difficult to tell in these photos because it’s later in the day when I was there, but the sand is bright white.  This sand is made from gypsum, instead of quartz or other typical minerals.  It is very unusual for sand to be made from gypsum.  This is the largest gypsum dune field in the world.  The dunes span 275 square miles.  This sand also has a different feel than what I am used to.  It kind of reminds me of the sand that is used for ash trays and sand boxes.  It’s really nice to the touch.  You are able to bring a sandboard or sled to use in the park, but the hills that I saw aren’t super tall.  

          If you do visit this park there are a few things to keep in mind.  I read that the road that the park is on will sometimes close when they are testing bombs nearby.  Be sure to make sure the park is accessible before visiting.  Bring plenty of water as well.  Also, check out the official website for more info.  I really enjoyed my time at White Sands and I think it’s worth a visit.