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White Sands National Monument is a unique preserved area containing the largest gypsum sand dune field in the world. Massive sand dunes that resemble ocean waves cover 275 square miles of New Mexico’s desert. Much of the sand dune field is contained within the National Monument.
The park also provides an opportunity to see the unique plants and animals that call the area home. Other activities include camping in the backcountry, bicycling, driving the scenic drive, hiking, horseback riding and more. White Sands Missile Range also occupies the area and conducts regularly scheduled missile tests. Dunes Drive, which is the only way to access the dune field, may be closed for several hours with as little as a day’s notice so check for road closures before driving in.
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