5 Tips when visiting White Sands National Monument, NM

I've lived in NM all my life and I had never been to White Sands before. It was surreal. White sand blanketed the Earth and the sun was beaming heavily on it. The sand glistened like a million diamonds beneath our feet. We ran up and down the hills, attempting to sled down some. We sat and played while running the soft sand through our fingers. We watched the sun set into the night and the rest is history.

White Sands is a must see! Due to COVID-19, we weren't allowed to camp there but the evening was nothing but magical regardless. We are patiently waiting for our next opportunity to visit and this time, camp overnight to enjoy the night sky on felt like "mars".

TIPS

1. VISIT IN THE FALL OR WINTER so the weather is nicer. We went in September, and it was scorching hot. I had to pour water over Kai's head to keep him cool and we took frequent breaks in the Jeep with the air conditioner on full blast. It was just too dang hot to enjoy an entire day there. We stayed for maybe two hours and then decided to leave.

2. TAKE LOTS OF WATER! Think you have enough? Take more! There are not many stores or gas stations nearby so take food as well.

3. TAKE A SLED OR TOBOGGAN! Rolling down the white sandy hills is so much fun.

4. IF CAMPING IS ALLOWED, CAMP! Due to COVID-19, camping was not allowed when we went but once they lift that restriction, we will be returning to camp! I would have loved to have camped in our Jeep tent to watch the stars and hear the wildlife nearby.

5. WATCH THE SUNSET! We stayed for the sunset, and it was just beautiful. So many people came and went and did not even enjoy the one of kind sunset.