Go on a guided full moon hike gorgeous, serene, unusual if youre into that sort of thing definitely go on the ranger guided hike the night before the full moon. Id arrived at white sands the previous evening for its full moon hike, an uber. The white sands national monument is one of the most surreal locations in the southwest. The worlds largest gypsum dune field275 square miles of everchanging hills and valleysglistens under the sun and moon. White sands national park is an american national park located in the state of new mexico on u. Program starts at the sign along dunes drive about five miles from the visitor center. Went on ranger led full moon hike on that trail, very experience to walk on these dunes in the light of the moon. This full moon hikes include a walk around lake nevin loop, with plenty of stops to observe the night sky, discuss nocturnal happenings, and consider our cosmic connections. White sands national monument full moon hike monuments.
Join us as we explore and hike within two areas of bandelier national monument, which encompasses 33,727 acres of volcanic ash known as tuff. We journey northwest of santa fe to visit tsankawi, the story of an ancestral tewa people that began in the 1400s. Follow the orange trail markers with a spade symbol into an area of beautifully varied dunes and vegetation. If youre camping, check the weather, its generally pretty chilly there at night. White sands national park travel guide at wikivoyage. When you take your first full moon hike no flashlights allowed. The wavelike dunes of white sands national park foundation.
White sands national monument and joshua tree national. Programs are offered for a variety of ages and interests. Come with your rv rental, and you will find full hookup sites with 5030 amp service, picnic tables, and charcoal grills. It can be closed due to missile testing and you are advised not to touch unidentifiable objects as they may be unexploded ordinances. Half way up the mountain we stopped at night hawk trail to re. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, camping, and nature trips and is accessible yearround. Full moon hike at white sands national monument, white. Join us as we marvel at the moon, ponder distant planets, and explore creatures and features on our portion of planet earth.
Visiting white sands reminded me that there is so much here to explore, and i want to see it. Participants should bring an extra layer, water, and a flashlight. Explore white sands national monument, white sands visitor. This region of glistening white dunes is in the northern end of the chihuahuan desert within an internally drained valley called the tularosa basin. If you visit white sands with children, pick up an adventure pack at the visitors center. To access the park from any location, youll take route. These popular nocturnal adventures are a fun way to explore the parks and wildlife as you seek out the best views of the full moon. White sands national monument new mexico visit las cruces new. Apr 30, 2018 back in 2011, i wrote an article on photographing white sands national monument based on my first visit. Sep 28, 2018 these include additional adventures like the full moon hike, lake lucero tour, or sunrise photography walk. Grab a saucer and some wax from the gift shop to slide down the dunes on.
Bring something to sled on, you dont want to miss out on the fun. New white sands workshop september 37, 2017 natures. Full moon night programs are held in the amphitheater evening program area, which is a 7mile 11. The otherworldly experience you get when you scuba dive a giant kelp forest. Efforts to preserve the areas brilliant gypsum dunes had begun in the late 1800s, but it was the enthusiasm of local booster tom charles that finally led to the parks creation. If you make a day trip, nothing special except white sands. A full moon night at white sands is the kind of experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. Air force photo by airman 1st class aaron montoya released. Desert beauty in 2020 white sands new mexico, nature, land. White sands is home to a 176,000acre gypsum dune field, the worlds largest. Bring a light source flash light, head lamp, phone light. Dune life nature trail closed new mexico alltrails. Started the hike at the dune life nature trail parking area.
The lincoln nf around carlsbad check out last chance canyon and if you are up to it crosscountry in desert, think theres a loop with some neighboring trails, etc is actually desert but with the recent rains, there may be slightly more than a trickle of water. Surreal gypsum white sand desert surrounded by mountains. In addition to full moon night events, white sands national monument is hosting full moon hikes on the evening before each months event. Reservations for the hike have to be made one month prior. As the hike takes place in a conservancy, no dogs are allowed. White sands became a national monument on january 18, 1933 by order of president herbert hoover. White sands national park is an american national park in the southeastern region of the state of new mexico. Although there isnt a true trail for much of this loop, the sand portions of this route is wellmarked with orange posts buried in the sand. Join a ranger for a full moon hike and see firsthand the dunes in a whole new light. Full moon hike up black mountain leash your fitness. Jan 30, 2020 spent a great 24 hours at white sands in new mexico a couple of weeks ago. New mexicos white sands countrys newest national park. The magnificent pure white dunes provide excellent recreation opportunities. Sunset strolls are presented every night of the year, while lake lucero and full moon guided hikes are offered multiple times a year.
We started out at sunset and the views of the sunset were beautiful. Only four tiny, isolated populations of this fish species exist on the planet, and they are all found within white sands national monument. Additionally, the monument offers tours and activities such as the sunset stroll nature walk, full moon night programs, special events, and tours of lake lucero. Though backpackers hike the trail most frequently, it is also open to visitors who want a shorter hike through the heart of the dunes. White sands, new mexico moonrise moonset time timebie. White sands national monument and joshua tree national park. Full moon rises over yuccas near sunset at white sands national monument, new mexico. White sands national park is the home of the worlds largest gypsum dune field. Offered only once a month, on the night before the full moon, from april through october. Explore white sands national monument, white sands visitors. White sands backcountry trail closed new mexico alltrails. Located just north of las cruces, nm, white sands is about a 45 minute drive from the city of las cruces. Once known as white sands national monument, this site was designated white sands national park on december 20, 2019. White sands national monument visit las cruces new mexico.
It was a beautiful night and we were hiking above the fog. Visiting white sands national monument with your dog. The alkali flat trail is the longest and most strenuous at white sands, the countrys newest national park. Thus, the full moon white sands class will represent an opportunity to move and align with the moon and to reenergize for the seasons change. Reservations required park entrance fee and program fees apply enjoy the peace and serenity of this elusive environment and. For more information on the park and upcoming programming and events visit in. The magic and beauty of the white sand dunes in the last light of day and under the bright full moon inspire a powerful sense of communion with nature. White sands national monument also has some trails, like. There is no guarantee that we will see the full moon.
The park contains the worlds largest gypsum sand dune field275 sq mi 710 km 2 of fine white sand, formed by the prevailing winds into large ridgelike dunes. Ranger programs are the perfect way to learn more about white sands national monument and the amazing diversity found here. This 224squaremile protected area of rolling gypsum dunes in southern new mexico is. Youll forget youre in new mexico surrounded by mountains when you get to white sands. More than 600,000 visitors stop in annually to admire its shifting, sparklingwhite dunes, which can travel as much. Our store will be closed but we are here, and all transactions will be processed through the front window during normal business hours. This 224squaremile protected area of rolling gypsum dunes in southern new mexico is the truest embodiment of the states catchphrase as the land of enchantment. Trip planning guide to white sands, new mexico lifes incredible. Wavelike dunes of pure white gypsum sand engulf 275 square miles of new mexicos tularosa basin, creating one of the worlds most impressive natural wonders. So when you visit white sands national park, be sure to ask about white sands national monument guided tours like the rangerled sunset stroll. White sands national monument protects the worlds largest gypsum dunefield, and the unique plants and animals that survive in this otherworldly place.
July events at white sands national monument visit las. Moonrise, moonset time and moon phases of white sands, new mexico in coming days. Bring a tripod and your nice camera, this place is amazingggg. Top 25 alamogordo white sands koa, nm rv rentals and. Get ready for a truly otherworldly experience as the sun goes down and a full moon guides this magical hike. There are several gently sloping dunes in the amphitheater. Join us on this special threehour guided hike to experience the trail in a whole new light and discover the. Ian parker 2006 white sands national monument new mexico that sand looks so soft. Mar 29, 2018 visiting white sands reminded me that there is so much here to explore, and i want to see it. White sands is located in south central new mexico. Last nights full moon hike up black mountain in san diego was so much fun we began the hike at 7. Given the remoteness of the site, the nature of the environment and the fact that it is a national monument, its not something to be undertaken lightly, or should i say moonlightly. White sands national monument to host full moon night series.
Sun set strolls, a full moon hike, a walk into the past, skins and skulls and tent talks, but they change there trails depending on the month and operating hours. Full moon hikes are offered once a month from juneoctober. Full moon at white sands is a special time in a special place, and a trip there should involve some special planning. The park is situated at an average elevation of about 4,000 feet 1,219 m in the tularosa basin and comprises the southern part. Sun set strolls, a full moon hike, a walk into the past, skins and skulls and tent talks, but they change there. See 91 photos and 19 tips from 1157 visitors to white sands visitors center. May 07, 2020 whites sands national monument offers a monthly full moon hikes program. A concert about the wonders of national parks will take place during an upcoming white sands national monument extendedhours full. Bernheim at night programs provide ample opportunities to celebrate the heavens and the earth.
Alamagordo, new mexico theres a reason they call it the land of enchantment. The backcountry camping trail is a moderate, 2mile 3. They are available on a first come, first served basis and include binoculars, an animal track guide, compass, and a. Covid19 advisory for the health and safety of meetup communities, were. Temps in the 60s, gorgeous sunrise and sunset and because i hiked into the remote campground back in the dunes i got the place pretty much to myself for a moonlight stroll on the night before the full moon. Full grain moon hike connecting people with nature.
Jan 03, 2014 white sands national monument rests in a war practice zone. White sands national park 48 tips from 36 visitors. Several national parks, including bryce canyon in utah and rocky mountain national park in colorado, offer full moon ranger hikes or walks. Experience full moon nights at white sands newmexi. Dune life nature trail hiking trail, holloman air force base. These include additional adventures like the full moon hike, lake lucero tour, or sunrise photography walk. Road trip to the largest gypsum dunes in the world, white sands, new mexico. A page dedicated to uniting full moon hikers around cape town and surrounds. Full moon, white sands january 9, 2015 by kenny fries leave a comment the late poet reginald shepherd called kenny fries a poet of the luminous moment and. White sands national monument hosts a monthly full moon night event where different guests and activities are planned for the guests to enjoy under a rising full moon. Join park staff for a guided full moon hike along the south loop equestrian trail. Full moon hikes rotate through the trails, taking each of them twice a year. Sep 18, 2017 so when you visit white sands national park, be sure to ask about white sands national monument guided tours like the rangerled sunset stroll.
Whites sands national monument offers a monthly full moon hikes program. At white sands national monument, dunes of white sand ripple across a vast expanse of open desert, ceasing only at the feet of the towering sierra blanca mountains. The 5mi alkaline flats hike is no joke even for fit people. Red rocks full moon hike once in a blue moon, we feel like going out in the middle of the night for a hike. When you enter the white sands national monument, this is your first opportunity to hike on the sand. One of new mexicos natural marvels, the white sands national monument, is the closest star attraction when youre camping at alamogordowhite sands koa. White sands national monument offers a variety of ways for you to explore the beautiful dunes. Full moon hikes are offered once a month, april through october, on the night before the full moon. Watching the moon rise on the white sands national monuments full moon hike, held each month during the full moon. May 05, 2017 full moon hike, white sands national monument, alamogordo 7. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. Other park rangerled activities include the full moon hike, lake lucero tour, and sunrise photography walk. To access the park from any location, youll take route 70, and from las cruces its one straight shot to the entrance. Enjoy a leisurely onehour rangerguided walk through sand dunes and learn about the geology, plants, and animals of this unique area.
It will take approximately 40 minutes for the full round trip drive, but leave time for walking, hikes, and photographing the stunning and surreal scenery at the many pullouts. Hiking tour in bandelier national monument heritage. Sunscreen sunglasses, with all that white it gets pretty bright out there. Each month during the summer, white sands has a full moon night where the park is kept open an extra hour or two. Here is a complete list of maps to download before heading to the park. You can click the link here if you would like to see the article. Dune life nature trail hiking trail, holloman air force. The reason i wrote that particular article, is that fact i learned a lot of hard lessons from my trip to white sands and i wanted to help other photographers from my mistakes. Jan 12, 2020 the alkali flat trail is the longest and most strenuous at white sands, the countrys newest national park. Tour checkin begins 30minutes before the program start time at the dune life nature trail. Back in 2011, i wrote an article on photographing white sands national monument based on my first visit. The silky gypsum dunes may cover 275 square miles of new mexicos desert, but only 5 established trails have been developed in the monument.
White sands national park new mexico scenic drives on. Fortunately, a blue moon will illuminate beautiful red rock state park in sedona. A glimpse of kais adventure into the backcountry trails of white sand dunes. Sep 15, 2014 white sands national monument hosts a monthly full moon night event where different guests and activities are planned for the guests to enjoy under a rising full moon. Every time a full moon comes around, the park rangers put together a moonlight hike to learn about the animals that survive in the white sands, and experience them like never before. A single fish speciesthe diminutive white sands pupfishekes out a precarious existence in tiny springs and pools. This white sands full moon hike in new mexico is otherworldly.
This month white sands was host to ernie dogwolf lovato, a musician, story teller and native new mexican. Overnight backcounty camping full moon at white sands national monument wsnm. Tips for photographing white sands national monument part. Whether participating in a rangerled tour on foot, an overnight excursion at a backcountry campsite, an afternoon picnic on the sand, an eightmile scenic dune drive, or sledding on the steep faces of the dunes, you are sure to enjoy your time spent. So the moon will not be out until close to the end of the hike. Stepping out of your vehicle onto fine gypsum crystals is the closest thing to walking on the moon that most of us will ever experience.
Indigenous amphibians spend most of their lives beneath the sand, but emerge to breed in great numbers during the summer monsoon season. One of the states most popular parks, its draws include hiking, sledding down dunes, bicycling, photography, and backcountry camping. White sands national monument scenery, landscape, white. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. White sands sunset and moonlit hike to alkali flat meetup. Tips for photographing white sands national monument part 2. White sands was established as a national monument in 1933. This vegan soft serve is the best we have had and their mixins send it over the moon. Its impossible not to be struck by the starkness and grandeur of white sands national monument.