Sunset Strolls
Sunset strolls are a great way to end your day. Enjoy a leisurely one-hour ranger-guided walk through sand dunes and learn about the geology, plants, and animals of this unique area. Program starts at the sign along Dunes Drive about five miles from the visitor center. Programs are offered daily. Program is free; monument entrance fees apply.**
*4:00 pm November 1-January 3, 2016
Step into the Past Journey Through Time at Lake Lucero
Accompany rangers and living history actors from the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum on a journey through the 10,000 years of human habitation in the Tularosa Basin. As you hike to Lake Lucero, colorful characters such as celebrated author Eugene Manlove Rhodes and renowned photographer Ansel Adams, will share the rich history of the basin. Program fee: $8.00 per adult (16 years and older), $4.00 for children. Reservations are required and can be made at www.nps.gov/whsa. All tour reservations must be made through the website. This four-hour program will take place on the Lake Lucero trail. The trail is uneven, rocky, and has a grade of two to three percent. See above-listed website for additional details.
*9:30 am Saturday, November 7, *Reservations open 8 am Wednesday, October 7
Holiday Open House
White Sands National Monument invites you to help us celebrate the holiday season. Enjoy live music, ranger programs, children’s activities, and luminarias around the historic adobe visitor center. Western National Parks Association park store and White Sands Trading gift shop will both offer 15% discount store-wide—bring your holiday shopping list. Visitors are encouraged to bring canned food donations to help supply our local food banks during the holidays.
The visitor center and gift shop will be open until 7:30 pm, and Dunes Drive will be open until 6 pm. No charge for the program. If you choose to drive the Dunes Drive, monument entrance fees apply ($5.00 per person 16 years and older). Activities will be held both indoors and outdoors; please dress appropriately.
*5:30–7:30 pm Friday, December 4
Crafty Kids
Get your hands involved in learning! Join rangers in the visitor center courtyard for a 30-minute craft and interpretive program. Rangers will share surprising facts about the creepy crawlers, amazing adapters, and out-of-this-world geology of White Sands while guiding kids through a take-home craft project. Targeted age range is 6–10 years old. Parents are welcome to stay and participate in the program. Program is free.
*2 pm Sunday, November 22—Saturday, November 28
Skins and Skulls
Join a ranger in the visitor center courtyard for a 20-minute talk about the amazing animals of White Sands. Rangers will have pelts, skulls, and other props to provide you an up-close look and feel of the elusive wildlife of White Sands. Program is free.
*3:00 pm Saturday & Sunday
Tent Talks
Have you ever wondered where all this gypsum came from? Or how animals survive in this harsh environment? Join a ranger under the tent on the Innerdune Boardwalk for a 20-minute program that highlights some of the lesser-known stories about White Sands National Monument. Monument entrance fees apply; program is free.
*11:00 am Saturday & Sunday
Monument Hours *7:00 am–6:00 pm November 1—December 31
Dunes Drive will close to inbound traffic at one hour before the monument will close. The Highway 70 Gate and restrooms will close at the stated monument closing time.