White Sands National Monument 
U.S. Highway 70
Alamogordo, NM 88330
505-679-2599
http://www.nps.gov/whsa
National Park: Bike, Hike, Picnic, Walk
At the northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert lies a mountain ringed valley called the Tularosa Basin. Rising from the heart of this basin is one of the world’s great natural wonders – the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Begin your visit of White Sands National Monument in the historic visitor center. The visitor center and gift shop are open 364 days a year, closing only on Christmas Day. Hours of operation vary by season. Fill up your water containers at the visitor center area of the monument. There is no water available in the dunefield. Restroom facilities and two shaded picnic tables are also located in the visitor center area. White Sands National Monument does not offer any accommodations for those wishing to camp overnight camping in an RV or other vehicle. However, several public and private campgrounds and RV parks are within one hour’s drive of the park. The closest public campgrounds are Oliver Lee State Park, about 24 miles southeast, and Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, about 39 miles southwest. In the summer, the Lincoln National Forest has several campgrounds in the Sacramento Mountains, about 40 miles east of the Monument.