White Sands National Monument (3209)

On the east side of the White Sands Missle Range is the White Sands National Monument and the town of Alamogordo. A few miles south of Alamogordo was Oliver Lee State Park with very well-maintained campgrounds that provided a good base, but Alamogordo itself was disappointing. With a name that complex, I expected more than just a long strip of chain restaurants and suburban-style housing -- but that seemed to define the town. It was a good base for exploring, but otherwise not interesting.

A few miles west of town, though, are the fascinating dunes of the White Sands National Monument. At the far end of the monument are the largest and most pristine dunes (this picture).

I didn't know it when I was there, or I would have a picture -- that the visitor's center at White Sands was built by the WPA.

Best viewed as part of New Mexico set.