Interdune Boardwalk - White Sands National Monument

While trying to stay out of the early season rains during our May 2015 visit to White Sands National Monument, we walked the 1000 foot Interdune Boardwalk to enjoy the views and learn about the plants native to the monument. The boardwalk is accessible to all visitors with composite decking and sturdy handrails. A pavilion with bench seats is located about halfway along the boardwalk. The interdune area is a transition zone between the larger, shifting dunes and the rest of the Tularosa Basin. Numerous plants tend to slow the movement of the dunes in this area compared to the heart of the dunes near the loop area of Dunes Drive. The boardwalk is located about 4.5 miles from the visitor center. Although Dunes Drive is paved at this point, the parking area is hard-packed gypsum sand. While there is no water available beyond the visitor center, a vault toilet is located at the parking area. For visitors without much time or the stamina to walk across the dunes, this is an excellent stop along Dunes Drive to view the landscape and learn about the area.

Hopefully the rain on the horizon will hold off while we walk

Roadside sign

Beginning of boardwalk

Sand Verbena

Rubber Rabbitbrush

View from the boardwalk

Plants help stabilize the interdune areas

Soaptree Yucca

The boardwalk ends with a large viewing platform

A viewing bench with space for a wheelchair

Covered seating area for Ranger Talks

Looking back at the covered seating area

View from the end of the boardwalk

Alkali Sacaton

Most plants grow on the floor of the dunefield with only a few on the dunes

A Skunkbush Sumac pedestal

Looking back toward the parking area from the end of the boardwalk

The previous band of showers has moved out of the area

Another band of showers is heading toward us

An entrance fee of $3 per person is required to enter the dunes. The fee is valid for seven days. Other options include a White Sands National Monument Annual Pass for $20, an Interagency Annual Pass providing access to most national park, national forest and BLM fee areas for $80 and a lifetime Interagency Senior Pass for those age 62 and older for $10. Special events such as Lake Lucero tours, full moon bike rides and full moon hikes require reservations and additional fees of $8 per person.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm.

Mid-Day on Dunes Drive - White Sands National Monument

As the day wore on during our May 2015 visit to White Sands National Monument, clouds started forming and rain showers popped up in many locations across the Tularosa Basin. The light and shadows played out across the dunes in many varied and beautiful ways.

An entrance fee of $3 per person is required to enter the dunes. The fee is valid for seven days. Other options include a White Sands National Monument Annual Pass for $20, an Interagency Annual Pass providing access to most national park, national forest and BLM fee areas for $80 and a lifetime Interagency Senior Pass for those age 62 and older for $10. Special events such as Lake Lucero tours, full moon bike rides and full moon hikes require reservations and additional fees of $8 per person.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm.

Morning along Dunes Drive - White Sands National Monument

Our May 2015 visit to White Sands National Monument continued with morning views of the gypsum dunes from various locations close to the graded sand portion of Dunes Drive. The approximately 4.5 mile paved portion of Dunes Drive begins at the visitor center, passes the fee collection station and continues past both the Playa and Dune Life Nature Trails before arriving at the Interdune Boardwalk. During our visit and currently, the first 4 miles of Dunes Drive is designated as a Road Safety Corridor with no stopping or slowing permitted. This designation has also closed the Playa Trail and the Dune Life Nature Trail. The pavement ends just beyond the Interdune Boardwalk, but the road continues for about two miles as a graded gypsum sand road through the dunes before branching to form a 2.4 mile loop through the dunes. This road is open to all vehicles without restrictions. We saw everything from bicycles and motorcycles to Class A motorhomes towing smaller vehicles on the road.

The maintenance department at the monument employs an excellent motor-grader operator who regularly grooms the sand portion of the road like an artist. Because of his skill, this was the smoothest dirt road I've ever driven on.

There is no water available beyond the visitor center, but there are covered picnic tables at one location and vault toilets at several locations around the loop.

Morning shadows

Wind ripples

Sacramento Mountains (25 miles distant)

Twin Buttes (11 miles)

San Andres Mountains

An entrance fee of $3 per person is required to enter the dunes. The fee is valid for seven days. Other options include a White Sands National Monument Annual Pass for $20, an Interagency Annual Pass providing access to most national park, national forest and BLM fee areas for $80 and a lifetime Interagency Senior Pass for those age 62 and older for $10. Special events such as Lake Lucero tours, full moon bike rides and full moon hikes require reservations and additional fees of $8 per person.

The park website is http://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm.