Interesting facts about White Sands

White Sands National Monument in the state of New Mexico, United States of America is a massive field of dunes made of gypsum crystals. Trying to remember when you last heard about gypsum? Yeah right! Chalks, those blackboard chalk materials, and this is a huge field making it look like a paradise. Don’t try to eat all of it though :D. It is the newest National Park, added to giants like Yosemite and Grand Canyon recently, so get to the park before everyone else does. Here are a few interesting facts about White Sands, the largest gypsum dune in the world :

1. Gypsum grains make it look like snow-land, thus creating one of a kind views.

Planning a visit? Extreme caution is advised on I-10 while traveling from Texas at night as roads are too narrow and are a playground for rabbits and deer all the way.

2. Dunes are cold at any time of the day/year as gypsum doesn’t absorb heat but reflects sun rays making them look white. Let’s just call it snow.

Spring is the time for heavy winds and you don’t want to be in winds here.

3. You will be standing yards away from atomic bomb detonation.

Watch out for periodic closings due to military installations before visiting.

4. Craving to watch UFOs? This is the place. Just kidding but some people claim there have been sightings. Only those know 😀

Carry proper ID/passport. Multiple checkpoints in New Mexico check resident status.

5. Rent snow saucers at the park gift shop to sled down the dunes at designated locations for hours of fun.

6. Lovely place to catch sunrise or preferably sunset. There are even tours on full moon day. Watch out for lizards.

The visitor center is a beauty itself, an old historical Spanish architecture with several exhibits.

7. Fan of Transformers? You will recognize this place instantly. Transformers 1 and 2 war scenes are shot right here.

And check!

Hope you enjoyed these interesting facts about White Sands National Park. Are you traveling already?