White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, United States of America: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2021]
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Traveling to White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, United States of America? If you're planning to go to White Sands National Monument, here is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to White Sands National Monument
- Important essentials for White Sands National Monument
- White Sands National Monument in January: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in February: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in March: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in April: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in May: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in June: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in July: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in August: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in September: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in October: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in November: weather and what to pack
- White Sands National Monument in December: weather and what to pack
When to go to White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, United States of America
Based on the climate and weather in White Sands National Monument, the best time to go is May. See below for details.
Important esssentials for White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, United States of America
Here are some general tips on what to wear in White Sands National Monument, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
IMPORTANT COVID-19 PACKING ESSENTIALS
- proof of COVID-19 vaccination if you have it
- vaccine card protector
- N95 masks for top protection
- kids' KN95 masks
- hand sanitizer
- touchless thermometer
- travel disinfecting wipes (for plane, etc)
- A plug adapter that supports outlet types A and B. This one should work in most areas, but you may want to check with your hotel.
- A portable power bank, like this one
- A SIM card that works in White Sands National Monument. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some locations you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone
- Appropriate museum wear
- Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere
- Emergency water purifier
- For families with young children:
- White Sands National Monument travelers often do a lot of walking, so a lightweight backpack like this is essential
- Airplane or car necessities:
- Photography items that we like:
- cell phone photography gimbal
- camera drone for outdoor shots
- extra batteries
- extra memory cards
What to wear/what to pack for White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, United States of America by month
January
January in White Sands National Monument is chilly. Temperatures average in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Heavy jacket
- Insulated water bottle
- Warm pants or jeans
- Lip balm
- Gloves or mittens
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Sweaters
- Cold weather footwear
- In addition to standard shoes, it's important to bring snow boots. For travel to White Sands National Monument, we suggest these boots:
- Waterproof jacket that can be used in snow
- Waterproof boots
- A umbrella is something you need here. This one is a great option.
February
February is relatively cool. Temperatures average in the low 60s F (high 10s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Heavy jacket
- Lip balm
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Sweaters
- Insulated water bottle
- Warm pants or jeans
- Gloves or mittens
- Cold weather footwear
- In addition to day-to-day shoes, you should bring snow boots. For travel to White Sands National Monument, we suggest these boots:
- Waterproof jacket that can be used in snow
- Waterproof boots
- A umbrella is something you need here. This one is a great choice.
March
March in White Sands National Monument is mild and dry with little rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Jacket or coat
- Fleeces
- Warm pants or jeans
- Light gloves or mittens
- Lip balm
- Socks
- Standard footwear
April
April in White Sands National Monument is warm and dry with little rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 30s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light gloves or mittens
- Jacket or coat
- Lip balm
- Warm pants or jeans
- Socks
- Fleeces
- Standard footwear
May
If you are traveling to White Sands National Monument in May, you will notice that it is constantly hot and dry with little rain. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- Skirts
- Bug repellent
- Shorts
- Dresses
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof sandals
- Insulated water bottle
- Short sleeve shirts
June
If you visit White Sands National Monument during June, you are likely to see that it can be blisteringly hot and dry with little rain.
Temperatures tend to hover around the high 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 50s F (mid 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunglasses
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion:
- Tank tops
- Skirts
- Insulated water bottle
- Bug repellent
- Light dresses
- Personal cooling fan, such as this
- UV protecting legwear will keep your legs safe from UV rays while also cool. These are our favorites:
- Sandals
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- Light linen shorts
- Lightweight 'harem' pants
July
Traveling to White Sands National Monument in July, you will notice that it can be excruciatingly hot. Daytime temperatures are in the high 90s F (mid 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Insulated water bottle
- Sun protecting legwear will keep you protected from UV rays while also cool. These are our favorites:
- Light linen shorts
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion:
- Sandals
- Light dresses
- Skirts
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- Bug repellent
- Tank tops
- Lightweight 'harem' pants
- Sunglasses
- Personal cooling fan, such as this
- A rain coat to layer with another jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We use these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is a great option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your things don't get wet. We like: this one
August
If you are traveling to White Sands National Monument in August, you will notice that it is sizzling. Daytime temperatures are in the 90s F (mid 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Insulated water bottle
- Sandals
- Tank tops
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion:
- UV protecting pants will keep you safe from UV rays while also cool. These are our favorites:
- Skirts
- Sunglasses
- Bug repellent
- Personal cooling fan, such as this
- Light dresses
- Lightweight 'harem' pants
- Light linen shorts
- A rain coat to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We like these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Wind resistant umbrella. This one is an excellent option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your suitcases don't get wet. We like: this one
September
If you are traveling to White Sands National Monument in September, you will notice that it is really hot. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Shorts
- Insulated water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Bug repellent
- Waterproof sandals
- Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
- A rain jacket to layer with a coat
- Waterproof footwear. We use these:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is a perfect option.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your belongings stay dry. We like: this one
October
October in this region is a perfect temperature and dry with little rain. Temperatures average in the high 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sandals
- Bug repellent
- Shorts or short pants
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Light footwear
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Dresses
- A rain jacket to layer with a jacket
- Waterproof footwear. We suggest:
- A waterproof phone bag; we like this one
- Umbrella. This one is a perfect one to buy.
- A waterproof luggage cover so your suitcases stay dry. We recommend: this one
November
If you go to White Sands National Monument in November, you will notice that it is balmy. Daytime temperatures are in the 60s F (high 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Gloves or mittens
- Sweaters
- Lip balm
- Warm pants or jeans
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Insulated water bottle
- Heavy jacket
- Cold weather footwear
December
December is chilly. Temperatures average in the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Warm pants or jeans
- Sweaters
- Heavy jacket
- Gloves or mittens
- Lip balm
- Heavy socks, such as:
- Insulated water bottle
- Cold weather footwear
- In addition to standard shoes, you should bring snow boots. For visiting White Sands National Monument, we suggest these boots:
- Waterproof jacket that can be used in snow
- Waterproof boots
- A umbrella is vital here. This one is a great option.
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