Why I Love White Sands National Park | New Mexico Van Life

Welcome to White Sands National Park, where endless rolling dunes of white gypsum sand create an otherworldly landscape. In this video from January 2023, I explore and photograph the surreal beauty of this natural wonder.

Trek through sand, climb towering dunes, and experience the stunning colors of mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets as the sand turns shades of pink, orange, and purple. I witnessed some of the best sunsets of my life here.

This sandbox has history — it's home to the oldest human footprints in North America (23,000 years old!), only discovered in 2018 along an ancient lake bed revealed by sweeping winds and shifting sands. A darker history exists as well, with the outskirts of the park having the Trinity test site, where the world's first nuclear weapon detonated just one month prior to the atomic bombings of Japan.

If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can go sledding down the dunes or camping under the starry desert sky (assuming they re-open backcountry camping! The park service paused the permitting process in April 2022)

Whether you're a nature lover, history buff, or just looking for an unforgettable experience, White Sands National Park is not to be missed. I hope you enjoy!

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00:00 Beauty of White Sands
00:53 Dunes Drive & Hike
02:58 Morning Snow
03:42 Hiking Backcountry Trail
05:00 Magical Sunset
06:17 Why White Sands Has A Time Limit
07:42 Glorious Sunrise
09:17 5-Mile Dune Hike (Alkali Flat Trail)
13:01 Why This Exists & Oldest Footprints
14:55 A Final Look


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