Experience White Sands National Park by Video

Originally established as a national monument by President Hoover in 1933, White Sands National Park was redesignated as a national park on December 20, 2019. This glistening landscape preserves 275 square miles of gypsum dunes in the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico a few hours south of Santa Fe, making it the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. The story of these dazzling and shifting dunes began 280 million years ago when the Permian Sea covered the area and gypsum settled on the seafloor. Today, you can explore the park’s fascinating history, sled the dunes, camp, hike, and stargaze! Visit White Sands National Park and explore the unique recreational and inspiring opportunities that make this park a one-of-a-kind experience for all visitors.