White Sands National Monument + Carslbad Caverns National Park
November 18, 2018
The last two days in New Mexico we have explored places that feel like you are on another planet; White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
We drove into White Sands National Monument on Friday right as the sun was setting and everything was glowing. We couldn’t believe our eyes or thef timing. The pure white sand hills go as far as the eye can see with rocky mountains on the horizon. We parked and I ran out of the car barefoot. The sand was icy cold and began to hurt quickly but we continued to run all over the place. We left the park before it got too dark. They close the gate shortly after dusk. You are able to camp in a designated area at White Sands but must get a permit beforehand, which we had not done (next time!).
We decided to sleep at a KOA campsite down the road (not something we usually go for because they are a bit pricier), but we were so pleasantly surprised and felt it was worth it in the end. We walked into the lobby area and there was a circle of 5-8 older men playing music together and singing folk music, we learned this is something that takes place every Tuesday and Friday evening at the campground. There were also big and clean bathrooms with hot showers and unlimited water. Life on the road hasn’t been easy or glamorous but it’s special. The next morning we got complimentary coffee and cocoa in the lobby and saw that they have sleds that are free to borrow for White Sands. We got two and went back to the park.
First we drove around looking for a good spot to take Explore product photos. It wasn’t easy to find sand that looked untouched but I was determined since it looked so cool with the geometric lines that ran through it. We spent a while photographing the pieces and Dan did an excellent job.
Afterwards we set out to find the perfect sledding hill. After parking again, we realized we were hungry and set up the stove on the back hatch to make pasta with veggies. In the distance we could see a bride and groom dressed up taking wedding photos on this beautiful sunny day. We ate and moved on to a steeper hill. It was so fun going down backwards, I kept running up to do it again. Dan had some trouble getting the hang of it and got tons of sand down his pants and shirt and in his hair.
That afternoon we made our way to Guadalupe National Park hoping to camp there but the small campground was full. We got caught trying to sleep in the parking lot while making dinner and had to leave after eating. We drove 10 miles to a rest area on the side of the road and slept in the parking lot.
The next morning was cold and hazy. We arrived at Carlsbad Caverns National Park then got changed and ready in the visitor center bathrooms. We got our passes for the self guided tour through the natural entrance- a big hole that a trail of switchbacks leads into. In the summer you can watch thousands of bats leave and enter the cave through this hole at the amphitheater. Once you enter the cave you continue on switchbacks down as it gets darker and darker with little spotlights on the walls highlighting the speleothems.
We took the elevator back up the 800+ feet. You are able to take it down as well but it’s so fun walking down the trail and entering the cave from outside, I highly recommend going that way. As we went up, others in the elevator talked about the few times the elevator had broken. One being when the Obamas had visited and they had to hike back out.
We found dispersed camping up a dirt road off the highway. There was a little stone fire pit built and we finally burned all the wood we had been carrying around but hadn’t been allowed to burn in the dry conditions. I’m freezing right now in the car but we’ve definitely had colder nights.
The next day we took a guided tour of the Kings Palace. These tickets must be bought in advance and are able to be purchased online or at the visitor center. After doing the self guided tour the day before we felt like we had seen so much and considered not going on this tour but I’m so glad we did. You get to see even more delicate parts of the cave closed off to the public and learn the history of how the cave was discovered and how it has evolved. Having an expert there to give you all the info and answer questions is priceless in this amazing place. This has definitely one of the coolest places I’ve ever been and a must see in my book.
