Welcome to White Sands National Park!

Park History

White Sands National Park was established as a national monument in 1933 by President Herbert Hoover and was later redesignated as a national park in 2019. The park is home to the world's largest gypsum dune field and preserves a unique geological environment and the adapted flora and fauna.

Early History:
The Tularosa Basin, where White Sands National Park is located, has a long history of human habitation, dating back over 10,000 years.

Indigenous peoples, including the Jornada Mogollon, inhabited the area, followed by Spanish explorers, miners, and ranchers.

In the early 20th century, commercial interests attempted to mine the gypsum sand, but were unsuccessful.

Monument Designation:
In 1933, President Herbert Hoover established White Sands as a national monument through Presidential Proclamation No. 2025.

This proclamation set aside 142,987 acres of land for its scenic, scientific, and educational value.

Redesignation as a National Park:
White Sands National Monument was officially redesignated as a national park on December 20, 2019.

The designation was prompted by the discovery of diverse, nationally significant historical, archaeological, scientific, and natural resources within the park.

Military History:
White Sands National Park shares a boundary with White Sands Missile Range, a military installation used for testing and training.

The park and the range have a joint use area, and the park's location near military installations has a long history of military activities.

Evidence of the Cold War period, such as the Northeast 30 Askania cinetheodolite structure, can be found in the park.