White Sands declared new national park in America

The well-known White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico, USA has now been declared an official US national park. The popular tourist destination and photographer’s haven has since been renamed White Sands National Park and is the United States’ 62nd official national park. The Park is the world’s largest gypsum dune field – a common rock material that reflects light – and wind erosion over the years has created the wavy dunes we see today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This is White Sands National Monument in New Mexico. The first time I saw photos of it, I literally thought the sand was snow. When I finally had the chance to see it in real life, it was even more surreal than I expected. And I don’t know, I find that there’s something supremely calming about being submersed in these more minimalist landscapes. Been craving it a lot lately. ✨ – If you ever make it to White Sands, I highly recommend backcountry camping. Here’s some info if you’re interested: – There are 10 primitive backcountry camping sites available on a first-come first-serve basis. – To camp, you must obtain a backcountry camping permit in person at the visitor center between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm only. A specific campsite will be assigned when the permit is issued. – Backcountry camping is the only type of camping allowed, and it requires hiking at least one mile to a designated campsite. – Do not camp on top of the dunes. – And of course, try and leave a place better than you found it whenever you’re outside enjoying nature. ☺️✌️ – photo: @everchanginghorizon

A post shared by J E S S (@jess.wandering) on Oct 16, 2019 at 8:10am PDT

Popular activities in the park include horse riding, backcountry camping, hiking, sledding and driving on Dunes Drive, where the unique landscape can be viewed. According to nationalparks.org, White Sands is home to a variety of creatures that have been able to adapt to the harsh conditions in the desert. Toads, road runners, and more than 600 species of invertebrates call this protected land their home, as well as some hardened desert plant life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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White Sands National Park! Spent the night between the gypsum dunes of our country’s newest national park 🌞 #whitesandsnationalmonument #whitesandsnationalpark #nps #nationalparks #nationalparkservice #nationalparksusa #optoutside #natgeo #natheotravel #natgeoyourshot #backcountry #wildernessculture #theoutbound #keepitwild #simplyadventure #lifeofadventure #liveoutdoors #beautifuldestinations #roamtheplanet #discoverearth #exploremore #destinationearth ##exploringtheworld #welltraveled #staywild #photooftheday #newmexico #newmexicolife #natgeoadventure @nationalparkservice @rei @natgeo @natgeotravel @natgeoyourshot @national_park_photography @whitesandsnps @natgeoadventure

A post shared by Michael Miller (@travelin.on) on Jan 20, 2020 at 10:52am PST

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Darkling beetles are one of the more common insects found in the dunes. Do you know the other common name of this beetle? #whitesandsnationalmonument

A post shared by White Sands National Park (@whitesandsnps) on Oct 11, 2016 at 4:41pm PDT

Interestingly, the nearby White Sands Missile Range regularly conducts missile tests, during which time the park is closed to visitors, according to its website. Image: Instagram/Iamjackmoran