White Sands National Park is known for its white gypsum sand. The endless rolling desert hills of the park make visitors feel like they’re in an infinite void of white. That feeling is amplified when a strong sandstorm blows through, and the sky matches the dunes for a complete whiteout.
Recently, the park shared images from a windy day:
The sand almost resembles clouds as it lingers over the park’s landscape. The park jokingly referenced Leave No Trace in the post and suggested Lincoln National Forest stole their sand. The New Mexico national forest sits just east of the national park and has a dramatically different landscape of pine trees with an elevation above 9,000 feet.
Like many other national parks, White Sands sees a good mix of weather. In fact, there are dozens of videos documenting sandstorms in the park.
If you’re ever trapped in a sandstorm, which is more commonly called a dust storm, officials recommend you get inside as soon as possible. You should also:
- Covering your nose and mouth.
- Wear a mask designed to block dust particles.
- Avoid driving during windy conditions when windblown dust or sand is likely.
- Pull over and turn on headlights as a safety precaution if you are driving.
Have you visited White Sands before?
