Deserts are often associated with a hot climate, unrelenting sunshine, a vast landscape, and very little rainfall. However, if you live in a desert climate like I do, you know that it can get quite cold! In the late fall and heading into winter, once the sun goes down, the air can be freezing. Dressing in layers and having a warm jacket, a hat, and gloves on hand is necessary. Did you know that one of the coldest deserts in North America is located right here in New Mexico? It’s true and it’s a fascinating piece of trivia!

White Sands National Park is home to a mesmerizing landscape of pure white desert made of gypsum crystals. Covering an expanse of 275 square miles, there's no other place quite like it on Earth.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
Just like any desert, White Sands sees an extreme swing in temperatures throughout the year. During the summer months, for example, temperatures can range between 95 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit as the high, while the lows are between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
The winter months, of course, bring about much cooler temperatures. Here at White Sands, you can enjoy an average daytime high of 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
White Sands National Park/Facebook

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Then, when the nighttime sets in, the temperatures tend to drop below freezing. The average low is 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Now that's cold!
White Sands National Park/Facebook
White Sands is considered one of the coldest deserts in North America. If you happen to find yourself here in the light of the early morning or sometime after dark, expect it to be cold!
White Sands National Park/Facebook
Bringing layers to keep you warm is essential for your visit to White Sands National Park during the winter. So, bundle up and hit the sand of one of the most incredible places on the continent!
White Sands National Park/Facebook

Did you know that White Sands is one of the coldest deserts in North America? I hope you find that as fascinating as I do! To learn more about White Sands National Park and to plan your visit, head to the National Park Service website. You can also give the White Sand National Park Facebook page a follow.

If you plan on spending time in the desert during the coldest months of the year, make sure you bundle up and wear layers! Check out REI for a wide selection of outerwear and gear to keep you warm.

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White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA