The Land of Enchantment is full of unique and stunning landscapes. One of the most striking and iconic places was made worthy of national park status in 2019. White Sands National Monument became the country’s 62^nd and newest national park. It's the newest national park in New Mexico and there are plenty of reasons to visit it. Check it out:

On December 20, 2019, the landscape filled with white gypsum dunes joined the likes of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and other exceptionally famous national parks.

And for good reason: not only is this a stunning landscape of glimmering gypsum sand, but it’s also the largest of its kind in the world.

The designation into a national park added an additional 4855 acres of protected lands to the park, is expected to improve and add infrastructure, and increase visitation.

The process of preserving White Sands National Monument has been more than a century-long process.

As early as 1885, the landscape was under threat of mining the gypsum for a variety of uses, including drywall and medicine. It became a national monument in 1933 under the Antiquities Act to help protect a segment of the dunes for future generations.

While photos of White Sands National Monument tend to focus on the glaringly desolate and harsh landscape, it still contains a fair amount of life.

Hardy desert vegetation such as yucca and creosote emerge from the gypsum, surviving both freezing and blazingly hot temperatures. These plants help stabilize the dunes…

...as well as provide food and shelter for the equally tough wildlife who call these dunes home.

Ground squirrels, roadrunners, beetles, and lizards are just a few of the more than 800 species living in the area.

When do you plan to visit the newest national park in New Mexico?

White Sands National Park is located about 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo via US-70.

The national park is open daily but is closed on Christmas Day. For details on seasonal hours, fees, and tours, visit the national park website.

Website: National Park Service

Facebook: White Sands National Park

Phone: (575) 479-6124

Carlsbad Caverns is another incredible national park right here in New Mexico. If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit, read all about the park in One Of New Mexico’s Most Beautiful Attractions Is Hiding Deep Underground.