White Sands National Monument reopens to visitors today. The visitor center, bookstore, gift shop, Dunes Drive, trails, and picnic areas are open to the public. White Sands has been closed since October 1 due to the lapse in Congressional appropriations.
“We look forward to having visitors back in the park and enjoying the dunefield,” said Superintendent Marie Frías Sauter. The cottonwoods are starting to turn a golden hue and provide a striking contrast to the dunes. Fall is a wonderful time to visit the monument.
The monument will host the full moon bike ride, which is scheduled for tomorrow, October 18th, starting at 8 pm. If you have reservations for the bike ride, please come out and enjoy the full moon bike ride. This is a reservation-required event, and the ride is full. The next full moon bike ride is scheduled for April 12, and reservations open one month in advance of the ride.
Full moon night takes place on Saturday, October 19th at 6:30 pm. Chautauqua speaker Rosalia de Aragon spins her story of La Llorna, holding you spellbound with this chilling legend. Program will be held in the amphitheater. There is no charge for the program; monument entrance fees do apply.
Reservations for the October 26th Sunrise Photography program, which is a ranger-led early morning program focused on amateur sunrise photography, will be available starting October 18th. Reservations are required and must be made on the monument website (www.nps.gov/whsa).
Sunset Strolls will resume this evening. The strolls begin at 5:15 and lasts for approximately one hour.