WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT
Situated in south-central New Mexico, White Sands National Monument protects a huge area of white sand dunes which are up to 60 feet high.
Activities: Hiking is allowed, but aside from a one-mile nature trail, the area is largely trailless. Most travel must be cross-country.
Camping Regulations: Primitive camping is restricted to a single backcountry camping area, one-third of a mile from a parking area. A free permit must be obtained from the visitor center. No campfires are allowed. Water must be carried in. A missile range is located nearby, and permits are not issued during the occasional times when testing takes place.
For Further Information: White Sands National Monument, P.O. Box 458, Alamogordo, NM 88311; (505)479-6124.
NEW MEXICO CAMPING RESOURCES
ORGANIZATIONS WHICH OFFER WILDERNESS
CAMPING TRIPS
New Mexico Mountain Club, P.O. Box 4151, University Station, Albuquerque, NM 87196. This club schedules a number of backpacking and other camping trips, including an occasional Beginners’ Backpack.
USEFUL GUIDEBOOKS
50 Hikes in New MexicoEvans, Harry. Pico Rivera, CA: Gem Guides Book Co. 1984.
Hiker’s Guide to New MexicoParent, Laurence. Helena, MT: Falcon Press.
Hiking the SouthwestGanci, Dave. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1983.
Hiking the Southwest’s Canyon CountryHinch-man, Sandra. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books.
The Sierra Club Guide to the Natural Areas of New Mexico, Arizona, and NevadaPerry, John and Jane. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1985.
INFORMATION ABOUT STATE PARK CAMPGROUNDS
New Mexico State Parks and Recreation Division, 408 Galisteo Street, Sante Fe, NM 87504; (505)827-7465.
STATE HIGHWAY MAP AND TRAVEL INFORMATION
New Mexico Tourism and Travel Division, Joseph Montoya Building, 1100 St. Francis Drive, Sante Fe, NM 87503; (505)827-0291/ (800)545-2040.
