Place · Southeast NM
White Sands National Park
The world's largest gypsum dunefield — 275 square miles of white sand, sunset strolls, and ranger-led full-moon nights near Alamogordo.
National Park
Holloman Air Force Base is a U.S. Air Force installation established in 1942 in the Tularosa Basin of southeastern New Mexico, adjacent to White Sands National Park and six miles southwest of Alamogordo.
Holloman Air Force Base sits at 4,093 feet elevation in Otero County, sharing a boundary with White Sands National Park. The base has served as a key site for aerospace testing and training since World War II.
Explore White Sands National Park with its gypsum dunes via the Dune Life Nature Trail or ranger-led programs. Join one of the Moonlight Hikes or Lake Lucero Tours offered in the area for evening adventures under the high-desert sky. The Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle Area offers camping options nearby.
The base lies along U.S. Route 70, about 10 miles west of Alamogordo and 90 miles north of El Paso, Texas.
Clear skies and mild temperatures make spring and fall ideal for outdoor activities at the dunes. Summers bring monsoon storms while winters offer crisp days averaging around 60°F.
It is a major Air Force base focused on testing and training, established in 1942 and located next to White Sands National Park.
Yes, the park shares a boundary with the base and offers tours including Lake Lucero and moonlight hikes.
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The world's largest gypsum dunefield — 275 square miles of white sand, sunset strolls, and ranger-led full-moon nights near Alamogordo.
White Sands National Park rises from the heart of New Mexico's southeastern Tularosa Basin, showcasing one of the world's great natural wonders — vast fields of glistening white gypsum sand dunes. Hiking is the permitted use, and photography is allowed throughout. Trail length, difficulty, and duration details are not specified in this listing; visit the park website for current route information and entry requirements.
Every fact below was independently verified against the cited source.
Red Sands Off-Highway Vehicle Area in southeastern New Mexico features primarily mesquite coppice dunes with over 100 miles of user-developed OHV trails. The area is used for organized motorcycle races and permits cross-country travel. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM for current access conditions, event schedules, and any fee or permit requirements.
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