White Sands Missile Range, NM

Across the Organ mountains, to the east of Las Cruces, is one of our local treasures - White Sands Missile Range. It is the largest army base in the United States, spanning 3200 square miles and stretching through 5 counties in Southern and Central New Mexico. Established in 1945, its mission as a bombing range and testing facility has seen its share of history, including the detonation of the world's first atomic bomb at the Trinity Site in July of 1945.

The main post of White Sands consists of on base housing for families and contract workers, a commissary and PX, chapel, school, movie theater, education center and more. It's a small posting but the views are amazing.

This is the 'backside' of the Organ Mountains from post.

Visitors to post are restricted in what they take pictures of and where they can go. Just inside the gate is the WSMR Museum and Missile Park. Admission to the museum is free and is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm, 10 to 3 on the weekends. The Missile Park is open from dawn til dusk.

The museum holds many historic displays including a model of the McDonald Ranch where the atomic bomb was 'built', ancient pottery found on the post, different contol systems as well as various models of rockets launched on the range.

TO GAIN ACCESS TO POST:
If you are not active or retired military, you MUST have a valid driver's license, registration and insurance. Each passenger must have an ID as well. You'll be required to get a visitor's pass from the Visitor's Building. That is located to the right of the main gate, just before you enter post.

Photography away from the Missile Park is strictly prohibited. If you have any questions of where you can and can't take pictures, please ask someone in the Museum. They will be glad to assist you.

OF NOTE:

Highway 70 (known as Main Street in Las Cruces) runs between Las Cruces and Alamogordo. During range launches, it will be closed for an hour at a time at different points along the road. If you are planning on traveling from Las Cruces on 70, it's best to check with White Sands before heading out. That can be done by calling 678-1178 for a recorded message. There are different 'points' for each roadblock and they are color coded:

Red Roadblock is at San Augustin Pass
Blue is just east of the main post access road
Black is at the Dona Ana/Otero county line
Brown is about 14 miles west of White Sands National Monument
Yellow is about seven miles west of White Sands National Monument

If in doubt, a call to one of our local radio stations will help you.

Also please note that White Sands Missile Range and White Sands National Monument are two different locations.

On July 16, 1945 the world changed with the explosion of the first atomic bomb. The explosion took place at Trinity Site which is on what is now White Sands Missile Range.

(Not my video. The music is a little annoying but this gives you a nice tour of the area.)

Trinity Site is only open twice a year - in April and in October. Getting there isn't too hard but it does take a little travel time. What most folks do is join up with a caravan. It's much easier than trying to get there on your own if you've never been there before.

When you arrive, you're going to see Ground Zero - where the bomb was exploded - as well as a display of Trinitite - green glass that was formed when the desert sand fused during the explosion. You are not allowed to remove any from the site. You'll also have a chance to visit the McDonald House where the plutonium core was assembled. The house is filled with photographs, machines and other historical documents about the experiment and the people involved.

Things to keep in mind when planning a visit:

*You are traveling onto a military base so make sure to have your driver's license, proof of insurance and registration. Passengers should carry their ID as well.
*Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and sunscreen.
*Bring refreshments and snack with you. The last time I visited, there were no refreshment stands.
*You may bring your cameras but photography is strictly prohibited and monitored on other areas of White Sands Missile Range.

More information - maps, history and more - is available at the White Sands Missile Range website.