White Sands National Park

Our newest National Park! As of last month, New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument received the official designation as our 62nd National Park. As its name implies, this striking park is home to fields of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals, and it also contains the world’s largest collection of Ice-Age fossilized footprints. Lace up those hiking shoes and explore the world’s largest gypsum dunefield or hop on a sled and slide down powdery, white gypsum dunes (yes, like on snow but it’s actually sand!). With a permit, backcountry camping is allowed, and thanks to little light pollution from the surrounding cities, stargazing is optimal. Time to plan a visit to White Sands National Park, the newest addition to the U.S. National Park Service.