If you are on your way to Carslad Caverns via Las Cruces, you must stop and see White Sands. It is just an amazing place. The sand is as white as snow, and it goes on for miles and miles. Let me put in a plug for southern New Mexico. My wife and I both agree that it is among the most beautiful places we have ever visited. White Sands is best described as unique. My folks saw the place 50 years ago, and I'm glad I got to see it this summer, unchanged by time. Please take the time to visit.

~30 balloons launched from a parking lot and flew only about a mile or so due to poor wind conditions. Spectators brought their chairs, blankets and picknick lunches and set up on the dunes above the lot. Kids brought plastic tobogans and slid down the dunes. The white sands make a great back drop for the bright colors of the balloons and the 7 am launch means it was still nice and cool (may want to bring a fleece). The white dunes look unique but not something you'd normally spend more than an hour or so exploring.

We have traveled to a number of National Parks and Monuments and thoroughly enjoyed this one. Stealth Fighters flying overhead, sand that is compact and easy to walk on, who could ask for more? The dunes are as white as snow and we felt as though we were driving on freshly plowed snowy roads. One family even brought a saucer sled and took pictures of their children sledding down the dunes. We had a great time and will definitely go back.

Beautiful place. Nice to visit for the novelty; a day trip for a picnic. If you've climbed one large dune you've climbed them all. Pay attention to where you're at so you don't get lost in the dunes and don't forget your sunglasses, sunscreen and water.