Dec 22, 2019 this week brought with it the news that white sands national monument has become white sands national park. Today, its location between several military bases means the monument is sometimes closed due to missile tests. White sands national monument adventures of the amazon. To establish the white sands national park in the state of new mexico as a unit of the national park system, and for other purposes. White sands national monument and alamogordo, new mexico. Because of its location within that facility, the dune field is closed to the public on days when a missile test is scheduled. This change in its designation might seem relatively minor, but its been in the works for over half a century. National park coffee mugs gifts for national park lovers.
The history of a national monument schneiderhector, dietmar on. On january 18, 1933, president herbert hoover established white sands national monument to protect a portion of the worlds largest gypsum dunefield and additional features of scenic, scientific, and educational interest. Today, white sands national monument in new mexico is studded with dune fields, which are constantly being shuffled and sculpted by the wind. White sands national monument, and staff members bill fuchs, john mangimeli. Located in southern new mexico, the popularity of the monument draws nearly half a million visitors each year to the national park service s southwestern region. Feb 28, 2020 in 2020, white sands became americas newest national park. Jan 08, 2020 white sands national monument has been on my family bucket list for a few years.
Each of the trails in white sands national park is different. His efforts finally bore fruit many years later when 142,987 acres of white sands was designated a national monument by president herbert hoover, april 29, 1934. The worlds largest gypsum dune field, the 275squaremile dunes of white sands national monument are a geologic oddity more than 250 million years in the making. A short history of white sands national monument white. A series of photographs taken in white sands national monument in new mexico. A photographer lovingly documents new mexicos desert national monument. There are also interactive exhibits at the white sands visitors center that will teach you about the geology and history of the park. White sands, new mexico gypsum wonderland download ebook written by emerson kent. The area had already sparked scientific interest with the first published research occurring in scientific journals in 1870. Record group 79 17851990 overview of records locations table of contents 79. White sands national park books and guides national parked.
Into the great white sands photography book and exhibitions. White sands national monument dancing sea horses san antonio, texas hemisfair 68 index roadrunner new stamp free america national geographic school bulletin, may 6, 1968 number 30. An ultimate comprehensive guide to white sands national monument key features. Commercial filming has been happening at white sands national monument since 1950. Otero, to provide law and order by carving out a separate county in the basin.
White sands is located in the tularosa basin, in the middle of the famous white sands missile range. Before visiting, please check with individual parks regarding changes to. Over 10,000 years ago the first people came to white sands national park in search of food, water, and shelter. We also offer some designs that celebrate national parks as a whole. Apr 07, 2020 my husband and i drove through the white sands and were amazed at how beautiful it is. Endless ripples in the shifting sands of white sands national park, new mexico. White sands today throughout the monuments history the national park service has improved visitor access to the dunefield, and continues to strive for this today. White sands national monument is located in southcentral new mexico about 20 minutes south of alamogordo off of us route 70. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read white sands, new mexico gypsum wonderland download. Guide books will be coming with its new status, but for now, this is a great allaround book, focused on photos. Legend has it that the ghost bride, dressed all in white, is still searching for her lover in the dunes. The park service, in contrast, didnt come around until 1916.
Southwestern national monuments monthly reports, 19331967. Included all the available campgrounds list and their information along with. White sands national monument mostly mammoths, mummies. Visitors guide to white sands national monument in new mexico. The history of the newlyminted white sands national park goes back far beyond these presidential decrees, however. The range was originally established as the white sands proving ground on july 9, 1945. You can also browse the bestselling white sands maps and guidebooks on amazon. White sands national park is an american national park located in the state of new mexico on u. White sands to become a national park alamogordo daily news. A unique series of fossilized footprints known as the white sands trackway show that almost 12,000 years ago ancient humans were stalking giant sloths here, hunting varieties of megafauna that died out by the end of the pleistocene. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. The wonder of white sands high country news know the west.
A bill to establish the white sands national park in the. The park s name is derived from the gypsum dunefieldthe worlds largestwhere the park is located. Adventuring into the surreal landscape of white sands national park in southern new mexico for many. White sands national monument is located in southern new mexico just outside of alamogordo. There are a lot of fun activities for everyone, too, especially kids. Learn more about the oral histories and stories handed down through the generations. Route 70 approximately 15 miles 24 km southwest of alamogordo and 52 miles 84 km northeast of las cruces, in western otero county and northeastern dona ana county. We headed into the visitor center and decided to take our time getting out and into the park.
In 1907, tom charles moved from kansas to alamagordo and, together with local and national attempted to have the white sands designated a national park. Hiking in the evershifting white sands can be exhausting and. See the nations only operating twostory adobe theater built in 1926, plus get additional information at the las. The history of americas national parks the boston globe.
The monument story, however, can be traced to the waning years of the 19th century and is linked to the nationwide growth of the national park idea that followed the establishment of yellowstone national park in 1872. Ranchers also took advantage of the expansive grasslands in the basin until the bombing of pearl harbor during world. The least strenuous and most crowded hiking option is the interdune boardwalk, an easy 0. White sands has been a national monument since 1933, but as of late december 2019, it is now the 62nd national park in the united states, and the second in new mexico, after carlsbad caverns. The trinity site in the white sands national park represents one of the most monumental points in human history. Take university avenue to dripping springs road to get there. White sands national monument rising from the heart of the tularosa basin is one of the worlds great natural wonders the glistening white sands of new mexico. White sands national park is an american national park located in the state of new mexico on. Today i am sharing our best tips for visiting white sands national monument with kids and how to have an awesome visit. White sands trading company gift shop alamogordo 2020. Nice gift shop at white sands national monument this is the gift shop attached to the visitor center at white sands and we found it to contain a surprising number of beautiful, quality souvenirs. Nov 27, 2019 today, white sands national monument in new mexico is studded with dune fields, which are constantly being shuffled and sculpted by the wind. Each piece is preceded by a brief prologue relating to the.
Records of the national park service nps national archives. With such a large dune field to lose oneself in figuratively, of course, you might just get to experience this natural wonder in solitude. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Just 10 miles east of las cruces lies dripping springs trail where you can take a leisurely 2. The park is located within white sands missile range and both the park and road are often closed when testing is taking place. This is a short, highly informative book full of general information about the history and ecology of white sands national monument, which is located in southern new mexico.
Formed by the slow erosion of gypsum from the surrounding. Located in southern new mexico, the popularity of the monument draws nearly half a million visitors each year to the national park services southwestern region. The white sand is dazzling, and makes for great photo opportunities. 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. White sands national monument images of america kindle. The change took place when president trump signed the national defense authorization act for fiscal year 2020. White sands was established as a national monument in 1933 and redesginated as a national park in 2019. May 06, 2017 an ultimate comprehensive guide to white sands national monument key features. We grabbed the junior ranger books, walked through the museum, we watched the short. New mexicos top 10 national and state parks the guardian. Having visited numerous national park service sites, i would rank this gift shop very high on the list of the best, ahead of many. I would definately visit the visitors center, they have lots of photos, books and information about it as well as other attractions such as the missile musuem and the nasa museum.
Apr 07, 2020 white sands national monument is a spectacular attraction to visit in southern new mexico. White sands is a very new national park, though its been a national monument for many years. Visitors are always encouraged to check before making the trek. With all that said, what does white sands national park have to offer for travelers.
Wnps offers a wide selection of custom designed stickers representing national parks and their surroundings, perfect for sticking to your car, laptop, tablet, phone, water bottle, or anyplace else you want to display your enthusiasm for national parks. White sands is the us newest national park lonely planet. Great wavelike dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the. Dec 02, 20 the worlds largest gypsum dune field, the 275squaremile dunes of white sands national monument are a geologic oddity more than 250 million years in the making. You can print the booklets at home or receive them when you arrive. How radar detected prehistoric footprints beneath white. Great wavelike dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the worlds largest gypsum dunefield.
This is a little sneaky, since technically the first national park, yellowstone, dates back to 1872. The stunning gypsum sand of new mexicos white sands national monument has intrigued and inspired generations of visitors since it opened in 1933. Say hello to the united states newest national park. After the conclusion of world war ii, 100 longrange german v2 rockets that were captured by u.
Todays redesignation recognizes the added significance of the park for its natural and cultural resources. Into the great white sands book launch national parks. Visitors can hike across the soaring, powdery mounds. The culture history of white sands national monument. Enjoy a digital exhibit of photographs, buy a book and support npcas work to protect national parks. That work is collected in his new book, into the great white sands. National park service, white sands national monument, the pleistocene trackways of white sands national monument, 20.
Jan 23, 2014 new mexicos top 10 national and state parks. We grabbed the junior ranger books, walked through the museum, we watched the short film and then did some shopping. White sands superintendent dennis ditmanson trace the parks history as. White sands national monument by doug sturgess blurb books. Guadalupe mountains national park national geographic trails illustrated. Complete offline map and offline data camp ground details. Tips for visiting white sands national monument with kids. Nov 20, 2018 language english tags white sands national monument, new mexico. Lose yourself in the white sands travel smithsonian magazine. White sands national park western national parks store. We were in albuquerque and it was well worth the 4hour drive oneway.
You are welcome to walk anywhere within the park as long. White sands national monument official collectibles. No matter the date, im all for more celebration of americas beautiful spaces, historic sites. White sands missile range wsmr is a military testing area operated by the united states army. On august 25, 2016, the national park service celebrates its 100th anniversary. These books are great resources in the classroom for teachers and would be an interesting read for students as well. White sands national park service department of the interior white sands national monument local history recommended reading list for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers. How radar detected prehistoric footprints beneath white sands.
White sands national park nanpa north american nature. You can explore the various areas and features of the dune field, so have an adventure and enjoy one or all of the park s four trails. It has a total area of 750,852 acres 303,859 ha 1,225 sq mi. White sands, new mexico gypsum wonderland download by. But you can bet things are about to get a whole lot busier because last friday white sands officially became our nations newest national park. The range of films covers the spectrum from movies such as transformers and the book of eli to music videos with artists pink floyd, boyz ii men, and puff daddy, along with many documentaries and commercials. Each park specific design draws from that respective park s history or geology. White sands national monument is a unique destination that people travel from around the world to experience and is deserving of national park status. Given national monument status in 1933 by president herbert hoover, white sands is located in the tularosa basin of southern new mexico. Welsh illustrated html at national park service items below if any are from related and broader terms. Official national park service approved patches, pins, magnets, passport stickers, and more from white sands national monument.
Recommended reading middle and high school white sands. Say hello to the united states newest national park, white. Our boys loved playing in the huge white sand dunes of white sands national monument. Apr 01, 2020 endless ripples in the shifting sands of white sands national park, new mexico. I read this book while visiting the monument this weekend, and these pages definitely contain more information than what you will find in the park monument brochure, or in. Show your support for national parks and your adventures in them by starting, or adding to your mug collection today. Here is the official white sands national monument map 1. The white mountain national forest wmnf is a federally managed forest contained within the white mountains in the northeastern united states. Deserts, the encroaching wilderness, oxford university press, n. The world s largest gypsum dune field, the 275squaremile dunes of white sands national monument are a geologic oddity more than 250 million years in the making. Explore the natural anomaly of white sands national monument, which offers a striking mix of white sands and clear blue skies, as well as the quirky neighboring town of alamogordo. White sands, 18981933 continued finding the legacy of billy the kid less romantic than later generations of novel readers, moviegoers, and tourism promoters, the town organizers petitioned the territorial governor, miguel a.
White sands national monument local and regional history books. The moment i saw the white sands with the desert brush i gleaned. Photography guide to white sands national monument. Witness and learn the unique history of the park from prehistoric times to the atomic age and its. In more recent times, spanish explorers and miners came to the basin in pursuit of salt, gypsum, and other resources. A history of white sands national monument 1995, by michael e. A bill to establish the white sands national park in the state of new mexico as a unit of the national park system, and for other purposes.
The white sands dunefield fit the description of what the national park service sought in prospective sites. It was established in 1918 as a result of the weeks act of 1911. In early 2019 we had an opportunity to visit and it was breathtaking. You are welcome to walk anywhere within the park as long as you use an established pullout or parking area.