If you have not yet visited White Sands National Park in New Mexico, you may initially assume there is nothing but white gypsum sand dunes to photograph. It might come as a bit of a surprise to see so much greenery growing atop the sand when you first enter the park. Oh, you will see those sparkling, bright white dunes a few miles past the fee booth.

Located in southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve is home to North America’s tallest sand dunes. These dunes, which rise abruptly from the shadow of Colorado’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains, are formed by the interplay of winds funneling through mountain passes and the ongoing recycling of sand via wind. While the star attractions, Hidden Dune and Star Dune, tower approximately 750 feet above the valley floor, one of the park’s extraordinary features is Medano Creek, a seasonal stream that emerges in spring and early summer.

The brisk Outer Banks winds continuously cause the sand to shift on the dune. Northeastern winds of the winter have a greater effect than do the southwestern winds of summer. Accordingly, Jockey’s Ridge actually migrates up to six feet annually in a southwestern direction. Some dune stabilization comes from the surrounding maritime forests and thickets.

A Love Letter to Michigan’s Natural and Cultural Heritage Release & Screenings Filmmaker Keith Patterson’s 50‑minute documentary, The Spirit of Sleeping Bear Dunes, has officially wrapped and is set to debut locally and on PBS. On July 23, 2025, viewers in northern Michigan can catch its premiere at the State Theatre in Traverse City, screening…

The lost city, swallowed by the dunes, is situated on the coast of Lake Michigan near present-day Saugatuck and Douglas. The town’s mills and strategic location along the Kalamazoo River fueled its growth from its 1836 founding.

A weekend of celebration made clear that Cox isn’t the only one who feels this way. Thanks to the determined and consistent efforts of countless individuals, millions of others have come to love and appreciate the park.

Tucked in Idaho’s high desert, Bruneau Dunes State Park is a one-of-a-kind blend of sandboarding, stargazing, and solitude.

A 9-year-old who needed to be rescued after being buried in the sand at Silver Lake State Park is safe thanks to rescue efforts by from several first responders, including eight minutes of CPR to revive the boy.

White Sands National Park / Rebecca Latson