Gleaming white sands cover an area of approximately 275 square miles (712 square km) of desert in New Mexico. White Sands National Park is the world’s largest gypsum dune field. An otherworldly landscape, the area reaches temperatures over 100ºF (38ºC) in the summer months, dropping to around 65°F (18°C) at night.
According to the National Park Service, White Sands became a national monument “in 1933, during the last days of President Herbert Hoover’s administration.” The change to a national park only happened in December 2019, when President Donald J. Trump made the park the “62nd designated national park in the National Park System.”
Extreme caution must be exercised if one hikes in the area. Without landmarks to guide you, one can very easily get lost. Although the area appears inhospitable, it is home to rattlesnakes, scorpions, black widows, and many other animals.
The structures shown in the first photo are shelters along the drive in the park. There are several of those.
Those are the stories behind the shots. If you liked these photos, you might also be interested in other posts featuring Landscapes, National Parks, New Mexico, and the Sunday stills challenge. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
For Terri’s Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: A Whiter Shade of Pale.
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Anne Sandler
This is a beautiful and great introduction to this National Park Egidio.
Egidio Leitao
Anne, indeed it’s a beautiful and different park. Thanks for writing, as always.
Tomi Rovira
Very surprising!
Egidio Leitao
Isn’t it! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Wow, this is just fascinating, Egidio! I’d never heard of White Sands NM. It really is otherworldly. Amazing shots you took. Great to see your post for Sunday Stills.
Egidio Leitao
Terri, White Sands Nat Park is really amazing. It’s so odd to have those dunes in the middle of New Mexico. Thanks for writing and for the great challenge.
bushboy
What are the things in front of the picnic shelters? Where you tie up your horse?
Egidio Leitao
Brian, I laughed hard when I saw your note. If it were in Texas, I’d say it could serve as a place to tie your horse. In reality, though, it’s a barbecue grill.
bushboy
Thanks for that Egidio
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Che paesaggio unico…
Egidio Leitao
Davvero!
Leanne Cole
Definitely a place where you need sunglasses, must be amazing.
Egidio Leitao
You’re right about the sunglasses. It’s also better to go there in cooler weather.
margaret21
Oh wow. Other-worldly indeed.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Margaret.
restlessjo
Surreal, don’t you think?
Egidio Leitao
Indeed!