After visiting The Very Large Array, we drove south to see White Sands Natl. Monument. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. As you scroll down, you may think "ok, white sand; more white sand." And that's the thing! It's acres & miles of white sand!!
As you begin the drive into White Sands, you'll see more spots of vegetation but it becomes sparse the farther in you go.
They scrape the road as if this was snow and I guess the sand just keeps packing down. This reminds me of driving through Rocky Mountain Natl. Park when the snow has been plowed into hills along the road.
We walked to the top of this dune.
And this is looking down to where the car is parked. My husband went to get his sunglasses.
Although it's named "White Sands" it's actually gypsum sand. It's origin is nicely explained in this short article.
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Photos top & bottom are taken from the top of the dune.
These people are getting ready to sled ride. The first time in my life I tell my husband we'll stop at the visitor on the way out. Which we did and discovered they sell sledding discs! Urgh! He wanted to sled so badly.
We got back in the car and continued the 16 mile drive through the dunes.
The sky was such a brilliant blue and the puffy clouds looked like they were touching the white dunes.
One of the Transformer movies filmed some scenes here!
White Sands Missile Range is nearby and sometimes the park is closed due to testing. People are advised to check in advance to make sure it's open.
I really recommend a visit here if you're going to be nearby. And make plans to stay a couple hours. I had no idea it would be this beautiful and only planned a drive through. Bring a cooler with plenty of water, a tent or shade umbrella, sunglasses & sunscreen, get your sledding disc and have a great time. Also be sure to visit their website first and study out the native critters - it warns that rattlers & scorpions could be hiding in the vegetation.
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