White Sands was established as a national monument in 1933 and re-designated as a national park in December, 2019. White Sands National Park is an American national park located in the state of New Mexico on U.S. Route 70 approximately 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Alamogordo and 52 miles (84 km) northeast of Las Cruces, in western Otero County and northeastern Doña Ana County. Located in southern New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin, at the base of the Sacramento Mountains and near the town of Alamogordo and Holloman Air Force Base, White Sands has been protected as a National Monument since the Hoover Administration (1933 for our younger readers). The redesignation came as New Mexico joined other Western states in tapping into the lucrative outdoor recreation industry. “Our staff are very excited for White Sands to be recognized as a national park and to reintroduce ourselves to the American public,” said White Sands Superintendent Marie Sauter. ALBUQUERQUE — President Donald Trump’s signature on defense legislation enacted by Congress means White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico is now White Sands National Park. Below is the detailed listing of the monument and visitor center opening and closing hours for the current year. U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, a New Mexico Democrat who was among those who pushed for the re-designation, has said he expected the change would boost the local economy and spur more recognition for the unique spot. Sharing all the important information about White Sands National Park in New Mexico along with 10 photos to inspire your trip there soon. There are few written accounts of the famous legend of White Sands, leaving oral tradition left to carry on the Legend of Pavla Blanca. Type at least three characters to start auto complete. On December 20, 2019, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 was signed and the White Sands National Monument's name was "supercharged" and became our 62nd "national park". © 2021 www.lcsun-news.com. The world’s largest gypsum dunes area was designated a … White Sands sees hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, more than any other park service location in New Mexico. Michelle Lujan Grisham earlier this year signed a measure that prompted the creation of a dedicated division in state government to focus on expanding outdoor recreation and related economic development. Take control of your data. If you arrive early, you can snag yourself one of the ten backcountry campsites discreetly tucked between various dunes about a mile's hike from the parking lot. The park encompasses 145,762 acres protecting 115 sq mi of the dunefield, about 41%, while the remaining 160 sq mi are located to the north within White Sands … The National Park Service (NPS) welcomed its 62nd member on Friday, when Donald Trump signed the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act into law. The glistening white sand of New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin has become the newest destination in the U.S. National Park System. The gypsum dunefield is the larges… • The new national park is still surrounded by some of the mightiest military operations in the nation; White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base are significant contributors to our state’s economy. Transitioning from a national monument to a national park in the final days of 2019, White Sands park was forced to shut down just a few weeks later, and was among the last to reopen. The first option will be automatically selected. It was designated as White Sands National Monument in 1933, and on December 20, 2019, it was redesignated as a National Park. Support local Journalism. The world's largest gypsum dunefield is now the United States' newest national park. Here’s a look at the natural wonder. White Sands National Park Visitor Center, gift shop, Dunes Drive, hiking trails, picnic areas, sledding and restrooms opened June 29. Not … On Dec. 20, 2019, legislation transformed New Mexico’s White Sands National Monument into the 62nd national park. Recently searched locations will be displayed if there is no search query. All rights reserved. White Sands became the 62nd designated national park Friday, Dec. 20, 2019 with Trump's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which included a … This 2011 photo shows visitors hiking the shifting dunes of White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo, N.M. White Sands National Monument is now a National Park! 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