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National park in New Mexico, United States
Photo: Copyright 1999, Ryan Holliday (Wrh2). The original image can be found at [1]., CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
White Sands National Park is an American national park in the southeastern region of the state of New Mexico. The park contains the world's largest gypsum sand dune field— of fine white sand, formed by the prevailing winds into large ridge-like dunes.
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From mid-April to mid-June desert wildflowers can be often be seen in bloom. The claret cup cacti bloom from late April through mid-May, while cholla cacti start blooming in mid-May. Some wildflowers bloom in Fall, usually from mid-August until as late as November.
This annual balloon festival sees numerous balloons rising over the monument.
(0.2 mile, 0.3 km round-trip). A very short trail to a dry lakebed.
(1 mile, 1.6 km round-trip). A self-guided nature trail.
(0.4 mile, 0.6 km round-trip). A wheelchair-accessible nature trail.
(4.5 mile, 7.2 km round-trip). A backcountry trail through the heart of the dunes. This trail is marked by posts with orange tape on them and may be difficult to follow for inexperienced hikers.
By plane
The closest major airport is in El Paso, Texas, from which the park may be reached via Interstates 10 and 25 and U.S. Route 70/82, with Las Cruces en route.
By bicycle
The dunes drive is an easy ride for individuals on bicycles. During full moons the park service offers reservation-only full moon bike rides, during which the drive is opened after-hours to bicycles.
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Las Cruces · Regional · LRU
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