Travelers who like to visit America’s national parks now have an added destination — White Sands National Park near Alamogordo, N.M. Previously a national monument, the world’s largest gypsum dunes area — covering 275 square miles — was designated the nation’s 62nd national park on Dec. 20, 2019.
Visitors will find hiking, cycling and sledding opportunities, along with a visitor center, nature programs, native plants garden and small back-country, primitive campground (permit required). White Sands also has the world’s largest collection of Ice Age fossilized footprints.
Winter temperatures average 30-60 degrees F; summer temps can top 100 degrees. Spring days are often windy, and white-out conditions can result from blowing sand and dust.
Details: nps.gov
