Check Out White Sands Missile Range’s Full Moon Nights All Summer Long

Just up the road about an hour or so is the White Sands National Monument. You can see miles and miles of gypsum sand that covers 275 square miles of the desert.

Going to White Sands during the summer is a sure way to spontaneously combust in the heat generated from all that white sand, but going at night is really a treat. The sand reflects the light of the moon, and through the summer and fall, White Sands will host Full Moon Nights. You can check out the sunset and see some of the animals that come out in the evening.

You can check out the Full Moon Nights events for free, but there is a $5 entrance fee per person over 16. You can use your National Park passes during event days.

There are hikes during the evening before each Full Moon Nights event. You will need to make reservations for the hike one month before you want to attend because space is limited. Log on to recreation.gov to register. It’s $8 per adult and $4 per child.

The next Full Moon Night will be June 28, from 8:30 - 10:30 p.m. There will be a Full Moon Hike on June 27 from 8 - 9 p.m. on the Dune Life Trail.

July 26 - Full Moon Hike, 8 - 9 p.m., Dune Life Trail. July 27 - Full Moon Night, 8:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Aug. 25 - Full Moon Hike, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m., Dune Life Trail. Aug. 26 - Full Moon Night, 8 - 10 p.m.
Sept. 23 - Full Moon Hike, 6:45 - 8:30 p.m., Dune Life Trail. Sept. 24 - Full Moon Night, 7 - 9 p.m.
Oct. 23 - Full Moon Hike, 6 - 7 p.m., Dune Life Trail. Oct. 24 - Full Moon Night, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.