Travelers from Carlsbad Caverns to southern Arizona can follow U.S. 82 through the scenic Sacramento Mountains to White Sands National Monument. No public transportation serves the park. Cars may be rented in Alamogordo or Las Cruces. Snowfall is infrequent, but heavy snows have occurred on occasion. May. The prevailing southwesterly winds blow unimpeded across the desert and at times reach gale force.
Wind storms can last for days in the spring.
This is the time of the greatest dune movement, when living conditions for dune animal and plant communities become extremely harsh. Accessibility All facilities in the visitor center and picnic areas are wheelchair accessible. The sand dunes themselves are accessible to wheelchairs to a limited degree. Getting Around An eight-mile scenic drive leads from the Visitor Center into the heart of the dunes. Wayside exhibits at pullouts along the drive provide information about the natural history of the park.