White Sands National Monument in New Mexico Sets 2023 Full Moon Nights Dates

White Sands National Park is getting ready to host their annual Full Moon Nights beginning in May. The 2023 full moon series begins Friday, May 5, and will continue each month on the full moon until October 29.

And this year, the monument’s popular series will not only provide visitors late-night access to the park, but live entertainment, ranger programs, and special guest presenters will return on selected dates.

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What is ‘Full Moon Nights’?

Park closing times are extended to 11 p.m. giving Full Moon Nights 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 going any other time you may not catch of glimpse of them.

And the entire dunes area remains open, so you can still play in the gypsum sand when the sun isn’t at peak skin melting degrees, experience a beautiful sunset, see the moon rise, and chill under the magical glow of the full moon.

2023 ‘Full Moon Night’s Nights

Extended Park Hours Nights/Hours/Full Moon Name

• Friday, May 5: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Flower Moon)
• Monday, July 3: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Buck Moon)
• Wednesday, August 2: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Blue Moon)

Program Nights/Program Start Time - Entertainment in the Amphitheater

• Sunday, June 4: 8:30 p.m. - Live Snake Program presented by Bob Myers from the American International Rattlesnake Museum (Strawberry Moon)
• Friday, September 29: 7 p.m. - TBA (Harvest Moon)
• Sunday, October 29: 6:30 p.m. - Randy Granger Concert (Hunter’s Moon)

Reservations or tickets are not required for any of the Full Moon Nights and the programs are free, however normal park entrance fees apply.

How to Get to White Sands National Monument

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