September White Sands Full Moon Nights: Get Up Close Look at the Harvest Super Moon

White Sands National Monument is hosting its next Full Moon Nights on Friday, September 29. And, bonus, you’ll get an unobstructed view of the Harvest Moon.

Added bonus: September's full moon is the fourth and last supermoon of 2023.

A Supermoon is when we have a full moon at the moon’s closest orbital point, making the full moon appear up to 30 percent brighter and 14 percent larger than a regular full moon.

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What is White Sands Full Moon Nights?

Park closing times are extended by several hours on Full Moon Nights giving park-goers a different perspective of the national monument and its wildlife.

Most creatures that call White Sands home are nocturnal and only come out in the evening, so any other time you may not catch of glimpse of them.

The entire dunes area will be open, so you can still play in the gypsum sand when the sun isn’t at peak skin-melting degrees, and you can still experience the beautiful sunset, then chill under the magical glow of a Southern New Mexico full moon.

See the Harvest Moon

Harvest Moon is not only one of the most beautiful, most romantic songs Neil Young has ever written, it’s also one of the brightest early evening full moons of the year.

The Harvest Moon is the name given to the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox, more commonly known as the first day of fall.

The name dates back to before electricity, when farmers depended on the full moon’s light to harvest their summer crops late into the night.

Entertainment in the Amphitheater

September's Full Moon Nights has an outdoor concert added to mix. Tap your toes in the sand to the music of The Rio Grande Revelers Dixieland Jazz Band, a seven-piece band from Las Cruces.

The performance will take place in the park’s natural outdoor amphitheater seven miles past the entrance station. The parking lot will open at 6 p.m., the music will start at 7 p.m. The program is free.

Seating is not provided at the amphitheater, but attendees can set up camp chairs, blankets, and coolers with food and drinks on the dunes that surround the natural amphitheater.

Entrance Fee

White Sands Full Moon Nights park hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Normal park entrance fees apply. No advanced reservations or tickets are required.

How to Get There

White Sands National Monument, located southwest of Alamogordo off U.S. Hwy. 70, is about a 90-minute drive from El Paso.