If you’re looking to get out of El Paso for day trip or an overnighter, consider visiting White Sands National Park during a full moon this summer.

Full Moon Nights is underway with summer dates scheduled through mid-August.

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Park closing times are extended by several hours on Full Moon Nights giving park-goers a different perspective of the glistening white, wave-like dunes.

But while the monument’s popular series will provide visitors late-night access to the park, there will not be any live entertainment, ranger programs and other events like there were pre-covid.

However, the entire dunes area will be open, so you can still play in the gypsum sand when the sun isn’t at peak skin melting degrees, and you can still experience the beautiful sunsets, see the moon rise, and chill under the magical glow of the full moon as before.

Full Moon Nights 2022 Summer Dates

Brian Burghart/White Sands National Park Facebook
Brian Burghart/White Sands National Park Facebook
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• Tuesday, June 14
Park Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Wednesday, July 13
Park Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Friday, August 12
Park Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Go on a Sunset Stroll Too

White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park
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Get there an hour or two earlier and go sledding down a dune, take a few selfies, photograph the birds and plants that call the park home, and sit and watch one of the more glorious sunsets you’ll ever see.

Entrance Fee

White Sands normal park entrance fees apply. No advanced reservations or tickets are required.

White Sands National Park Facebook
White Sands National Park Facebook
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How to Get There

White Sands National Monument, located southwest of Alamogordo off U.S. Hwy. 70, is about a 90-minute drive from El Paso.

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