The White Sands National Monument is about one hour and 15 minutes east of Las Cruces via Hwy 70. Right after you go through the Border Patrol check stop you'll come to the entrance to White Sands. There is a visitor's center that sells books, White Sands memorabilia, gifts, food and soft drinks. The gift shop has always been too small, but every now and then you'll find something that you just have to buy. I've never seen them carry the sledding disks, which kind of amazes me because they would sell and sell and sell.
Each time I go to White Sands National Monument there is so much anticipation. I cannot wait to drive all the way through the dunes to the very last area where you can park your car, then I get started on my hike on the trail that leads to the western edge of the dunes. Here's the way it works. It's a long, meandering hike, about 4 1/2 miles--up, and over, and along dune after dune after dune. The dunes are undulating, meandering, shifting things. You must keep your eyes on the alert for the trail posts to keep yourself on track.
Sometimes you're walking on the playa lake pavement, other times your on top of the dune leaving the impressions of your footprints, and other times you must negotiate the slip face of the dune. It's a great workout, and you should not attempt this trail unless you are in fairly good physical shape. If you were stressing about things before you started the hike, by the time you get back to your vehicle you'll be cleansed.
It's been a couple years since I hiked this trail and I cannot even remember the name of it. It takes you to the western edge of the park to the White Sands Missile Range area, and its origin, Lake Lucero. If you go to White Sands you'll find the schedules for the Moonlight Walks (very beautiful and romantic) at White Sands, how to make reservations to take the tours through WSMR to get to Lake Lucero, and much more. White Sands is very popular. It's interesting to note that at Thanksgiving and Christmas they have both morning and afternoon tours set up to Lake Lucero to handle the additional out of town guests
New Mexico is home to many great hot air balloon events. White Sands has theirs in the late summer. This is a wonderful way to spend the early morning with friends and family. Be prepared to see balloons from all over the country. It's very cool seeing the balloons lift up above the beautiful white gypsom sand.
What to wear when you go to White Sands? Sunscreen with at least 30 spf, comfortable, play clothes, shoes that will work with you when you're trying to climb up the slippery side of a dune, sun glasses that have UV coating, and a good wide brimmed, well ventilated hat. Bring plenty of water to drink because there are NO drinking fountains.
