The Popular National Park That Made It Illegal To Drink Alcohol Outside Of A Few Picnic Areas

When you ponder national park history, a couple of poignant events might come to mind. One topic you probably won't immediately think of, however, is White Sands National Park's decades-long troubles with intoxicated visitors.

Known as White Sands National Monument before 2019, this New Mexico park began limiting on-site alcohol consumption in the late 90s. The move came after a string of drinking-related issues, which ranged from speeding and littering to assault and a hit-and-run. Amid all of this, one especially chaotic clash is reported to have served as the catalyst for new alcohol regulations across White Sands. According to an account from park ranger Kathy Denton (archived via the Wayback Machine), the occasion in question involved over 60 visitors and numerous charges of driving under the influence and drug possession. "After this particular day," Denton wrote, "Chief Ranger Bob Appling started to look through the violations and citations over the past [10] years." As the story goes, alcohol infractions accounted for 85% of all recorded violations during that period.

Following this discovery, Appling sought to permanently forbid alcohol in the park. As a compromise, the National Park Service's Intermountain Regional Office agreed to enact a ban during seasons most known for problematic drinking. For White Sands, that timeframe spanned from February 1 to May 31. Since then, the park's policy has evolved to prohibit on-site alcohol consumption year-round, except for at a few main locations and in one special events area.

A one-of-a-kind national park with striking scenery, White Sands lays down the law on its "Alcohol Regulations" webpage. Per this official source, you can only consume a stiff drink in five on-site spots. Three of these spaces are the park's only picnic areas: Primrose, Roadrunner, and Yucca. (Note that while the Back Country Camping Loop Trail parking area does host picnic shelters, they do not allow alcohol.) Outside of these locations, drinking is also permitted at the Group Use Area. A reservable semi-private setting, the Group Use Area is described as "a popular meeting place for large gatherings," ranging "from family reunions to weddings to scout jamborees." The fifth and final place where White Sands allows alcohol consumption is the Evening Program Area, but this concession is only made during official park events.

Visitors will find all three picnic areas and the Group Use Area clustered close together around Loop Drive. Each one offers shaded picnic tables, but the Group Use Area also has a larger shaded pavilion. Of the 62 shaded picnic tables spread across Primrose, Roadrunner, and Yucca, only five are listed as accessible for those using mobility aids, such as wheelchairs. Other picnic area features you can expect include grills and vault toilets.

Whether or not you choose to indulge in a few drinks during your White Sands getaway, sightseers who appreciate the great outdoors will surely discover why this destination ranks among New Mexico's five best national parks and monuments. Those searching for other places to explore nearby can also check out Alamogordo, a gorgeous gateway town with endless outdoor adventures.