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White Sands National Monument
Nearby Attractions
New Mexico Museum of Space History and IMAX Theater. In Alamogordo, 19 miles from White Sands National Monument.
 
White Sands Missile Range Museum and Missile Park.  35 miles southwest of White Sands National Monument.
 
Lincoln National Forest.  In the Sacramento Mountains east of Alamogordo.
 
Alameda Park Zoo.  In Alamogordo, 16 miles from White Sands National Monument.
 
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. South of Alamogordo, 28 miles from White Sands National Monument.
 
Mescalero Apache Indian reservation. 40 miles northeast of White Sands National Monument.
 
Aguirre Spring Recreation Area (Bureau of Land Management).  39 miles southwest of White Sands National Monument. 
 
 
 
Photo of sand grains  

Did You Know?
The gypsum that makes up the white sands starts out as clear, translucent sand grains. As the wind bounces the sand grains along the ground, they collide and scratch each other. The scratches change the way light reflects off the grains, making the sand appear white.

Last Updated: January 18, 2009 at 14:06 EST