As of December 20, 2019, White Sands National Monument is now White Sands National Park. This outstanding natural feature in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico is certainly deserving of National Park status.
The new designation comes with additional land being added to the park, and some land was traded with the military so that the park no longer needs to be closed to the public on days of missile testing at the nearby base.
Three things that I hope will happen now that White Sands is a National Park: (1) Hours will be extended so we can enter early enough for sunrise photography and stay late enough for dusk; (2) It would really be nice if a drive-in campground was established, perhaps in the newly added area; (3) the place doesn’t become overrun and trashed due to increased popularity and visitation. I do realize that #1 and #2 could possibly lead to #3, but I hope that all visitors will adhere to #NatureFirst principles and help preserve this amazing place.
For additional photos of White Sands National Park, and to order prints, check out this photo gallery.
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Hurray! Was hoping El Trumpo wouldn’t back out on this one. White Sands is certainly one of the crown jewels of national parks and monuments in NM. Next one I’d like to see elevated to a park from a historical monument is Bandelier, one of my favs with its CCC buildings, its tufa caves, and its little stream meandering the canyon floor,
Yes, Bandelier is also certainly a wonderful place, well deserving of our highest level of protection.