Trip Through White Sands Nat Monument

[xkaes]

That's interesting. I've never heard of a Park letting you in earlier for a "fee". How did you find out about that?

And you better not ask for ideas in Arizona or you'll open up a volcano.

[seabee1999]

I did some exploring on the website and saw that you could apply for a photo permit. When I began reading the form, I noticed that they had a start time and end time. Conceivably, I could ask for a time to enter the park before sunrise. To confirm this idea, I called the park office and more or less confirmed what I had thought. It’s expensive for only 2 extra hours of time but I’ll enter the park before sunrise. That’s what I wanted and what I am hoping for. If it doesn’t work, well then, I’m out $100. But if it does, well, I’ll come away with some nice images.

Just look at the link below. I recognize that it’s for commercial photography but what the heck, it’s was worth a shot to apply for probably a once in a lifetime opportunity.

https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvis...andphoto21.htm

[xkaes]

OK. This makes sense. Everyone and their mother wants to do "over-the-top" photography/videography in the Parks. Most start out without a permit assuming that it's not a problem. But it's created such a public nuisance, that "the management" has had to step in an regulate things. I guess one small benefit is that special access can be granted, such as getting into the Park early -- at a price, of course. But, if you want to go down the Grand Canyon in a raft, you have to wait for several years and pay hundreds of dollars.

Here's hoping you jump through all the hoops, and have "photographic" weather.

[Drew Wiley]

White Sands has been in the news quite a bit recently for another reason - oldest human evidence in the Western Hemisphere. Many many distinct human footprints up to 23,000 years old in ancient lakeshore deposits, along with footprints of Ice Age mammals. Totally off limits to the public of course; but would that would sure make some interesting view camera photography!

[Leszek Vogt]

In the older days of the monument, they'd allowed you to camp there over night....so I thought.....for a fee. As a natl pk things could be different. Went there in Oct 2014 and had a great experience. Actually the entire SW is easier to deal with when it's cooler, lower sun, etc., IMO. I've used pola filter and have some nice texture shots of the sands, plants (few), etc. In case no one mentioned, the AFB nearby works closely with the park and occasionally the access to the park is shut down due to military activity....hopefully you are not there on that date. I've camped in the wild near Socorro (not far from Basque del Apache Wildlife Refuge) and found that place interesting photographically, as well. Good luck on your trip.