White Sands National Monument   //   Location   //   How to Get Here   //   What to do at the Sands   //   Maps

Geology   //   Military   //   NASA   //   Spaceport America   //   Hot Air Balloon Invitational   //   Events   //   Photo Gallery

Home // Events

 

White Sands Events

Shadow Dune at White Sands National Monument
Shadow Dune at White Sands, NM
Photo: Yvette Lacroix
 

What's happening at and around White Sands National Monument?

Every last Saturday of the month you can join a ranger guided Tour to Lake Lucero, the origin of White Sands. Here is more info on Lake Lucero.

You can join the White Sands Sunset Stroll Nature Walks daily. See below for details.

Here is a nifty print-out. of the events hosted by the NPS.


And here are the event dates:



 

Event:
White Sands Sunset Stroll Nature Walks

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Daily (there are exceptions)
Call the monument to confirm 575-679-2599 ext 236

Description:
The Sunset Strolls focus on the plants, animals, and geology of the dune field. A great opportunity for photographing the dunes at sunset.

Nature Walks begin at the "Sunset Stroll" sign along the Dunes Drive, about 5 miles from Visitor Center.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Patio Talks

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Every Saturday and Sunday at 1.30 pm


Description:
Join a ranger on the visitor center patio to have your questions answered and pick up tips for enjoying your stay at White Sands national Monument.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, May 26, 2012 - 5 pm

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, June 30, 2012 - 5 pm

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Sunday, July 29, 2012 - 5 pm

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, August 25, 2012 - 5 pm

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

 

Event:
21th Annual White Sands Balloon Invitational

Where:
White Sands / Alamogordo, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday - Sunday, September 14 and 15, 2012


Description:
The festivities begin with a reception for sponsors, pilots and chase crew at the Willie Estrada Civic Center on September 16.

Launch time is 7:00 am on Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. Launch will be from various sites in Alamogordo and also at the White Sands National Monument.

A balloon glow will be attempted the evening of September 13th, again, weather permitting.


More info:
+ Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce

+ Photos, info, and recap of the Hot Air Balloon Invitational in previous years

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Sunday, September 23, 2012 - 9 am

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Full Moon Bike Ride

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Friday, September 28, 2012, 8 pm

(Registration opens August 28, 2012)


Description:
It's a leisurely bike ride with your friends and family through the monument. For these rides, the Dunes Drive is re-opened for three hours after dark for bicycles only.

A special use fee of $5.00 per person is charged for this event. For children 15 years and younger, America the Beautiful Senior pass holders, and America the Beautiful Access pass holders, a $2.50 special use fee is charged. America the Beautiful Annual pass and White Sands Annual passes are not honored for this event.

Reservations are required for these events and are accepted one month in advance of the date of the ride. Reservations will not be accepted by telephone.
 

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Trinity Site Tour

Where:
Trinity Site, White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, October 6, 2012
F
rom 8 a.m. to 2 p.m

Admission:
There is no admission fee for this event.

Description:
Visit the spot where in 1945 the first atomic bomb exploded. This is more of an open house day rather than a guided tour. There are no ceremonies or speakers at the site.

How to get there:
You can enter the Range through the Stallion Range Center gate, which is located five miles south of U.S. Highway 380, off of Interstate 25 at the San Antonio, N.M. exit.

From Las Cruces, take I-25 north and get off at the San Antonio exit. The exit is about 12 miles south of Socorro.

The Stallion gate is open during each open house from 8 am to 2 pm. At the gate, visitors will receive literature about Trinity Site, and will be allowed to drive without military escort the final 17 miles to Trinity Site. The road is paved and will be marked.

Alternatively, you can join the caravan organized by the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce. The caravan forms at the Tularosa High School parking lot in Tularosa. The line-up starts at 7 am and leaves promptly at 8 am. It is an 85-mile drive to the site from Tularosa, and there are no services on the route or at the site. The caravan is led by White Sands personnel once it gets onto the missile range. It is scheduled to leave for the return trip between 12.30 and 1 pm.

All adults must show a photo ID when entering the missile range. All vehicles are subject to search and should be carrying proof of insurance and current registration papers. Weapons are prohibited on White Sands Missile Range land.

Food and souvenirs are sold at the site.



More info:
+ Trinity Site

+ White Sands Missile Range Public Affairs Office (575) 678-1134

+ White Sands Missile Range Web Site

+ Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce contact number (575) 437-6120

If you wish to take the bus to Trinity Site, call this number for bus ticket price and more info.

 

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, October 27, 2012 - 9 am

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Dunes at Dawn Hike

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, November 10, 2012 at 7:15 am - Registration will open on October 27, 2012


Description:
Come join a ranger to see the first rays of the morning sun push over the Sacramento Mountains and learn about the formation of the sands and the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes on this early morning hike.

The hikes are scheduled once a month from November through April. Reservations are required and is limited to 40 participants. Group size per reservation is limited to no more than 5 people.

The registration period will open two weeks before each scheduled hike and the registration form will be available for download during that time until the hike is full. Once capacity has been met, the form will no longer be available.

Please bear in mind that these events can be very popular and often fill up within just a few hours after registration opens. Reservations are taken in the order in which they are received. To improve your chances of obtaining a place on the hike, submit your form as early as possible.


More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour - 2 Tours!

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, November 24, 2012 -
10 am AND 2 pm

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Dunes at Dawn Hike

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 7:15 am - Registration will open on December 1, 2012


Description:
Come join a ranger to see the first rays of the morning sun push over the Sacramento Mountains and learn about the formation of the sands and the special plants and animals that live in and around the dunes on this early morning hike.

The hikes are scheduled once a month from November through April. Reservations are required and is limited to 40 participants. Group size per reservation is limited to no more than 5 people.

The registration period will open two weeks before each scheduled hike and the registration form will be available for download during that time until the hike is full. Once capacity has been met, the form will no longer be available.

Please bear in mind that these events can be very popular and often fill up within just a few hours after registration opens. Reservations are taken in the order in which they are received. To improve your chances of obtaining a place on the hike, submit your form as early as possible.


More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Lake Lucero Tour - 2 Tours!

Where:
White Sands, New Mexico

Event dates:
Sunday, December 30, 2012 -
10 am AND 2 pm

Description:
A three-hour trip to the gypsum crystal beds of Lake Lucero. See where all the white sand comes from.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ NPS.gov

 

 

Event:
Bataan Memorial Death March

Where:
White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico

Event dates:
March ?, 2013

Description:
Choose between two routes, 26.2 miles or 15.2 miles. The 22nd annual Bataan Memorial Death March is conducted in honor of the World War II veterans who defended the Philippine Islands.

Reservations required.

More info:
+ Military at White Sands / Bataan

Online registration and everything:
+ Bataanmarch.com

 


 

To the best of our knowledge all information is current.

If you know of an event that should be listed here, please drop us a mail.

If you should discover any errors, however, please let us know via mail[at]white-sands-new-mexico.com. Thanks!

 

 

Menu


White Sands National Monument New Mexico

VISIT WHITE SANDS
Where is White Sands located?   ::   How to get there?    ::   Where to stay?   ::   What to do at the Sands?  
What else to do in the area?   ::   Nightlife   ::   Filming a Movie?   ::   Weather at the Sands

ADDITIONAL INFO
General info   ::   Geological info   ::   Info on the dunes   ::   About Gypsum   ::   History of the Monument
Lake Lucero   ::   Military   ::   NASA    ::   Spaceport America    ::   Tularosa Basin    ::   Alamogordo
Otero County    ::   Doņa Ana County   ::   New Mexico   ::   Chihuahuan Desert
Hunting and Fishing in New Mexico    ::   UNESCO World Heritage Site   ::   Hot Air Balloon Festival

Visitor's Guide   ::   About Us   ::   Support   ::   Downloads   ::   Maps   ::   Events   ::   News
Photo Gallery    ::   Submit Your Photo   ::   Featured Content

 

© 2012 Emerson Kent. All rights reserved.
Contact Us