White Sands National Monument to raise pass prices

White Sands National Monument will raise entrance fees in January to offset infrastructure costs.

The National Park Service (NPS) announced service-wide fee increases for all parks managed by NPS that charge entrance fees last April.

The National Monument will incorporate NPS' new entrance fee schedule to provide additional funding for "infrastructure and maintenance needs to enhance the visitor experience" according to a WSNM news release issued this week.

Funds from the entrance fees remain with NPS but 80 percent of revenue generated by White Sands National Monument stays with the Monument.

The new increase will go into effect Jan. 1, 2020 and the new entrance fees to the park will be as follows:

• $25 per vehicle
• $15 per person
• $20 per motorcycle

The price of the White Sands National Monument Pass will be $45, however, the America the Beautiful National Parks, the Federal Recreational Lands annual pass and the Lifetime senior pass will remain $80.

Currently, Monument entrance fees are $20 per vehicle, $10 per person, $10 per motorcycle and $40 for an annual pass, according to the WSNM website. 

The Access Pass and annual passes for U.S. Military will remain free.

Entrance fees paid will be valid for entry into the park for seven consecutive days from date of purchase.

According to the Park Service, revenue from the entrance fees at White Sands National Monument has made the rehabilitation to the park's accessible Interdune Boardwalk Trail possible, as well as the restoration of the porch poles of the historic Spanish pueblo adobe Visitor's Center in front of the entrance to the park.

That revenue has gone toward completely rehabilitating the monument's 1930's-era sewage system and the park's water tower was revitalized in 2019. Repairs to the park's water delivery system were also conducted. 

The entrance fees have been used to update and repair park facilities, such as picnic areas, and toward the exhibits on display at the Visitor's Center museum. More information about park projects funded by entrance fees can be found at the National Park Service website.

The fees have also contributed to public programs led by NPS park rangers.

The park is one of 165 sites managed by the National Park Service, that charges an entrance fee and White Sands National Monument has charged an entrance fee since 1937.

The 254 U.S. National Parks are free to enter. 

For more information about passes, visit the National Parks Service website. Visit the Monument website for park information, hours and entrance fees at www.nps.gov/whsa.

Cristina Carreon can be reached at ccarreon@alamogordonews.com, 575-437-7120 or on Twitter @Cris_carreon90.