White Sands National Park Service

Department of the Interior

White Sands National Monument

Desert Safety

It is easy to become disoriented in the 

dunefield. Have a plan. Tell someone, who is 

not with you, where you are going and when 

you plan to return. Stay with companions 

while hiking. Separation can mean getting lost. 

Always keep your children in sight. Do not 

allow them get a head of you or fall behind.

Use park trail markers. Carry a park map 

and compass. Orient yourself to landmarks 

such as mountains or a water tower. GPS 

can be unreliable here. Have a fully charged 

cellphone. Bring a portable charger if you have 

one. No outlets for electricity are available 

at the monument. Turn your cell phone off 

while hiking. Conserve battery power for 

emergencies. Be prepared for the unexpected.

White Sands National Monument is a beautiful and pristine landscape. At times, however, that beauty can be deceiving, masking the potential for serious injuries that can befall the unwary. It is up to you to make sure you understand the nature 

of the environment you are entering and to be aware of hazards you may encounter. It is critical to be prepared and to know your 

limitations. Regardless of how much time you plan to spend at White Sands National Monument, please take a few moments to 

familiarize yourself these safety guidelines.

Food and Water. The most critical factor 

for survival in a desert environment is 

access to water. Desert heat and low 

humidity can quickly lead to dehydration. 

Always carry extra water with you during 

all activities, such as hiking and sledding. 

Especially in the summer, at least one gallon 

(4 Liters) of water per person per day is 

recommended. Fill up water containers 

at the visitor center. There is no water 

available in the dunefield.

Staying Found

Stop do not wander!

You will need more water than you think 

you will. Sweat evaporates quickly in the 

desert giving the false impression you are 

not sweating when in fact are sweating and 

loosing water rapidly. When your water 

is half-gone, go back to your car. Food is 

also important to boost your morale and 

your energy. Keep emergency food with 

you such as fruit, nuts, energy bars and 

electrolyte replacement drinks or powers.

Be Prepared

If you become lost, stop and sit on top of 

a dune. Wandering can endanger your life 

and make finding you more difficult. Use 

a mirror or piece of aluminum foil to flash 

sunlight toward potential rescuers. 

If you have cell service, call 911. Describe 

your location to the dispatcher in as 

much detail as possible and your starting 

location. Data and cellular signal strength 

can vary drastically in the monument. You 

may be able to text for help to a friend 

who can call 911 for you. Each year, park 

rangers respond to dozens of search 

or rescue incidents in the monument. 

These frequently involve heat exhaustion, 

dehydration, and injuries.

Be Mindful Sun/UV Rays - When planning your day be 

aware that the sun reflecting off the white 

sand is intense year round and can cause 

severe sunburns. Your best protection against 

the sun’s harmful UV radiation is protective 

clothing, shelter, and time of day.

Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen with 

an SPF of 15 or higher, sunglasses, and 

lightweight loose-fitting clothing. Long 

sleeves and long pants help protect your skin 

from the sun. Sunburn reduces the skin’s 

ability to release excess heat, making you 

more susceptible to heat-related illness. 

Shade is a rare commodity in the dunefield. 

There are picnic areas with sheltered tables 

along Dunes Drive. You can also bring 

your own sun shelter or sun umbrella. 

Take breaks in the shade.

Exposure to full sunshine can increase 

heat index values by up to 15°F (9°C). The 

sun’s UV rays are the strongest at midday. 

Plan to your visit for early morning or late 

afternoon when the sun is lower.

Heat Exhaustion - Heat exhaustion occurs 

when the body loses more fluid than is 

taken in. Signs of heat exhaustion include 

nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headaches, 

pale appearance, stomach cramps, and 

cool clammy skin. If a member of your 

party begins to experience any of these 
Revised 3/24/2016

symptoms, stop your hike immediately. 

Rest in a shaded area if possible, drink water 

slowly, loosen tight clothing, and apply cool 

wet cloths to the skin. If heat exhaustion 

symptoms persist, seek medical help.

Heat Stroke. Heat stroke is an advanced 

stage of heat exhaustion. It is the body’s 

inability to cool itself. Symptoms include 

confusion, disorientation, behavioral 

changes, and seizures. If you believe that a 

member of your party is suffering from heat 

stroke, it is imperative to cool them using 

any available means and obtain immediate 

medical assistance.

Hypothermia. Hypothermia occurs when 

the body is cooled to dangerous levels. The 

most dangerous conditions are subtle ones 

cool but not cold. When temperatures are 

between 40°F to 60°F (4°C to 15°C), light 

winds of 5mph to 10mph (8kph - 16kph), 

and rain or mist. 

Getting wet is the quickest way to lose body 

heat. Avoid cotton clothing. It provides no 

insulation when wet. Eat high energy food 

before you are chilled. Bring extra clothes 

for layering. The signs of hypothermia 

include uncontrollable shivering; stumbling 

and poor coordination; fatigue; and 

confusion or slurred speech.

Be Mindful

Keep Your Eye on the 

Weather

Wind. During our windy season, February 

through May, dust storms can move in fast and 

reduce visibility, greatly increasing the chances 

of becoming disoriented. Do not hike out 

during a windstorm or rely on your footprints 

to return to your car. Wind can erase your 

footprints in just minutes. Dust storms can 

also cause eyes injuries and damage breathing 

passages. 

Heat. From May through August, daytime 

temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) and 

drop to approximately 65°F (18°C) at night. 

June is usually the hottest month of the year. It’s 

recommend that you do not start a hike if 

the temperature is at or above 85°F (30°C). 

Storms. July through September is 

monsoon season. Storms can quickly build. 

Lightning often occurs in the desert during 

thunderstorms even if there is no rain. 

Remember, when thunder roars go indoors. 

If you see a gathering storm or hear thunder, 

take cover in a building or vehicle with your 

windows rolled up. Lightning often strikes the 

tallest object in the area. Avoid high points (top 

of a dune) and ground currents (tree roots). 

If you’re unable to avoid a thunderstorm, find 

an open low space on solid ground. 

Make yourself a small target by crouching 

on your toes, hands covering your ears, and 

head between your knees. 

Crouch down on a sleeping pad, pack, or 

other non-metal material to insulate yourself 

from ground currents. Touch the ground 

as little as possible; the ground conducts 

electricity. Do not lie flat. Remove all metal 

objects and electrical devices from your 

body. Space yourself at least 15 feet from 

your hiking companions.

Cold. From November through February 

early morning and nighttime temperatures 

are frequently be below freezing. Daytime 

temperatures can range from 30°F to 60°F 

(-1°C to 15 °C). Dress in and carry extra 

layers that can easily be removed or added as 

needed. A coat, hat, scarf, gloves, and warm 

boots are a good start. Since days are shorter, 

be mindful of the time and make sure you 

are back at your vehicle before it gets dark. 

Do not forget to drink water! No matter 

the temperature, it is easy to get dehydrated 

while exploring the monument. Sunblock is 

still necessary even in the winter. 

Venomous Creatures Rattlesnakes, scorpions, black widows, 

and harvester ants are only a few of the 

venomous animals found in New Mexico. To 

avoid a bite, be mindful of where you walk, 

put your hands, or sit. Follow established 

trails and open sand, do not walk through 

vegetation where visibility is poor. 

Never try to pick up, touch, or tease snakes 

and scorpions or handle spiders and 

insects. If bitten, seek immediate medical 

attention. Bring a photo of the animal 

along for identification if possible. Keep in 

mind that a dead rattlesnake can deliver a 

lethal bite.

Other Things You Need To 

Know

Pets. Pets are welcome in the monument. 

They must be on a six-foot (2 meters) leash 

and under physical control at all times. 

Carry plastic bags to clean up after your pet. 

Remember that your pet will also need water. 

Carry a bowl and extra water. Please do not 

leave your pet in the car during extreme 

temperatures.

Sledding. Pick a safe place to go sledding. 

Choose a dune that does not lead into the 

road or the interdunal plant area. Dunes 

freeze in the winter. They are much harder 

than during the summer. This makes 

sledding faster, and it increases your chances 

of more serious fall or injury. 

Dangerous Digging. Digging holes in the 

dunes is fun. Keep in mind that the dunes 

move and the sand is heavy. Holes can collapse 

on you. This can lead to suffocation.

Driving. Always wear your seat belt. All 

state traffic laws apply. Obey posted speed 

limits. Be aware that speed limits vary 

throughout the monument from 45mph 

down to 15mph (72kph - 24kph). Use 

the pullouts for parking on the gypsum 

road. Be prepared for changing weather 

conditions. The gypsum road can be 

slippery when wet especially in the winter. 

It may also be harder to spot frozen water. 

For your safety, decrease your speed and 

brake gently to avoid skidding. If you 

have vehicle trouble, please do not leave 

your vehicle overnight without notifying 

a ranger.

Unexploded Ordnance. We are 

surrounded by an active missile range. 

From time to time, debris from missile 

tests falls into the monument and is buried 

by sand. If you see any strange objects, do 

not touch them as they may still be able to 

detonate. Make a note of their location and 

tell a ranger what you found and where you 

found it by going to the entrance station 

or visitor center. The ranger will dispatch 

appropriate personnel to remove the 

object in question.

Know the temperature before you hike. 

It’s recommend that you do not start 

a hike if the temperature is at or 

above 85°F (30°C). 

To learn more about White Sands, visit http://www.nps.gov/whsa