White Sands

White Sands National Park received its designation in 2019, the 62nd National Park to be established. Located in southern New Mexico, the park is known for its white sand field made up of nearly 5 billion tons of gypsum crystals. The sand field is the largest of its kind on earth, with dunes reaching up to 60 feet high. The northern tip of the Chihuahuan Desert extends into the park and is home to over 800 animal species, including nearly 250 species of birds. Visitors can best explore the park on foot by marked hiking trails, while adventure seekers can ride sleds down the dunes.