There are places we enjoy and there are places that change us, make us richer for the experience. Welcome to White Sands National Park located a few miles south of Alamagordo, New Mexico. Just imagine, 275 square miles of massive, bright particles that shine, glisten and sparkle a brilliant white.
An artists pallet. A writer’s muse. A photographer’s dream. For outdoor enthusiasts, a connection with nature.
The experience of White Sands is more than walking on ‘cool to the touch’ sand. It’s greater than seeing dunes white as snow as far as the eye can see. Lines and texture create more than memories and invoke more than imagination.
You feel connected to something larger, brighter but at the same time you know that your time here is short lived.
White Sands National Park: A Vastness of White
Entering into the park, grasses, desert shrubs and terrain line roads and hillsides. Slowly, the terrain shifts to a vastness of pure white. Coming from Michigan, it reminds us of fresh snow covered grounds on a sunny day. Yet, you know you’re in the desert. Stepping outside of the car, the higher elevation air is warm, while the sands are cool to the touch.
Lines, curves and shapes in shades of white surround us into the distance. Desert grasses, channels where rains and waters settled and dissipated disrupt the arrays of whites.
Throughout the park people hike, kids sled down hills and many capture moments with their cameras.
Overall, the park is quiet. As we’re near the military base of White Sands Missile Range, bold sounds pierce the sky at various times of the day.
Start with What You Want to Leave With: Memories
With the big blue skies overhead and shades of whites, it’s time to try and capture the art and spirit of White Sands. I want to take home more than an image or even a portfolio. I want the memory of connection and gratitude for this place at that moment to stay ingrained.
Across every hilltop, with a right or left turn, diverse topographies await. And as much as there’s diversity, there’s a constant. Knowing that through rains, winds, these gypsum particles shift and create new dunes and crests. Changing light creates shadows and rearranges shapes.
As I pull out the camera throughout the light shifts of the day, it’s hard to know where to start and when to stop. The play of light changes the desert from near blinding brights to cool tones and shadows. Midday, heat and white light. Evening, cool blues and grays. Then morning brings soft whites and sky blues.
So much to take in and photograph. My go to lens for this park was my 24-70mm f/2.8 wide to mid-range zoom lens (available on Amazon, see my review of this lens). During the brights of the day I popped a circular polarizer on my lens to reduce glare. However, the few images I didn’t use the polarizer midday in this case I actually preferred.
What’s Behind the Name of White Sands National Park?
The name of “white sands” is a tiny bit misleading. Why? Here’s a few facts:
- It’s not sand: The “sand” in these ever changing dunes is not composed of silica like most inland sand. White Sands is almost pure gypsum, a mineral. Gypsum is different from many other rocks because it is soluble. In mountains, when rains fall, gypsum dissolves and flows down with the water. In the Tularosa Basin, the dunes are completely enclosed, keeping the gypsum within the park.
- Your feet stay cool: Gypsum does not absorb heat and stays comfortable on your feet. With a hot sun overhead, the dunes remain cool to walk on. However, this is very deceptive. When sun is at peak, particularly on hot days, dehydration is a real risk factor. There are certain areas where warning signs are very visible about the risk and the need to take a significant amount of water with you if you hike into the dunes. Take these to heart, to ensure you, your family and friends enjoy a safe hike.
- It looks white, but it isn’t: Even though it’s called White Sands, the Gypsum is not white. The color is actually clear. Gypsum appears white from the sun rays reflecting off of the surface.
- National Park or National Monument: President Herbert Hoover initially designated White Sands National Park as White Sands National Monument in January 1933. In 2019, it was changed to a national park by Congress and signed into law December 2019. Within the park visitors explore via a main drive, picnic areas, hiking trails (they’re marked), sane dune sledding and backcountry camping.
- Sand needs plowing: During my morning shoot, the sound of a plow (I know that sound well living in Michigan) echoed through the silence. There, along the main road was a driver plowing the sand that covered the road the night before.
- A big, unique ecosystem: In addition to White Sands National Park holding the largest gypsum dune field in the world, there is a vast ecosystem of plants and wildlife in the Chihuahuan Desert (and unique to this area). For plant, wildlife and nature viewers, there’s much to see more than a sea of white.
Where to Stay & Eat
As we’re traveling with Sheen’s Bean (nuCamp Tab 400 Boondock) throughout the west, we’re experiencing diverse camping areas. KOA, local and remote camping and boondocking at Harvest Hosts. KOA’s RV park in Alamogordo, New Mexico resides close to the main road leading to White Sands, restaurants and grocery stores.
There’s a Harvest Host, Tularosa Vineyard that’s north of White Sands that offers a quiet stopover after staying in town for a few days.
Since we’re in New Mexico again, it’s time for more green chile cheeseburgers. The Hi D Ho Drive fires up fresh and juicy burgers smothered with green chiles and cheese. More napkins, please.
White Sands National Park – Know Before You Go
The experience at White Sands is one of my favorite National Parks. The days we hiked and photographed were calm with mild temperatures. Before visiting, we confirmed wind and weather forecasts. Trying to photograph and hike the sands on a very windy day is not a good idea. Between sand in your eyes, protecting your gear, my recommendation is to wait for a calmer day.
I highly encourage a hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, long sleeves to protect your skin from the harsh, dry elements. Footwear? I walked through the desert barefoot, and yes, it was awesome!
As noted above, the gypsum feels cool on the feet which is a bit misleading during the heat of the day. Taking plenty of water is necessary to prevent dehydration in the heat and higher elevation (over 4200 feet).
White Sands is a special and unique place. Go, explore and enjoy the journey!
