Lake Lucero

Have you ever wondered how the white sands formed, and why Lake Lucero is often referred to as the birthplace of the dunes? Take a tour to Lake Lucero with a ranger and learn about the formation of the sands. Rangers share the geologic story of White Sands National Monument as you traverse a steep gully down to the lake bed and walk by thousands of exposed selenite crystals, which are critical to the formation of the gypsum sand. Lake Lucero is a dry lake bed that only fills with water when there has been abundant rain or snow in the surrounding area. The hike from the trailhead to the lake and back is 1.5 miles (2.41 km) long over rough desert terrain and washes, and is rated moderate. The Lake Lucero trail is not maintained. It runs down an arroyo where the soil is loose and the terrain uneven, sloping gradually downhill toward the lake, which means the hike back to the vehicles is gently uphill. Participants must be physically capable of walking the entire distance. Leaving the tour early is prohibited, and all guests must enter and leave with the caravan. Tours are offered once a month, November through April, typically on the last Saturday or Sunday of the month.