Introduction

Welcome to the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. White Sands Missile Range is the Department of Defense’s largest, fully instrumented, open-air range. The installation provides the military, allies and defense technology innovators with research, development, test, evaluation, experimentation and training facilities to ensure our nation's defense readiness. White Sands Missile Range's population includes approximately 5,350 civilian and military personnel. For a full list of organizations at White Sands Missile Range, visit the installation's website. Continue reading for our in-depth guide on White Sands Missile Range so you can get to know your new post and its surrounding community. 1. Where Is White Sands Missile Range? 2. Google Map View 3. Getting There – Directions to the Post 4. Entering White Sands Missile Range and Post Amenities

• Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel
• White Sands Missile Range Visitor Center
• White Sands Missile Range Gate Hours
• White Sands Missile Range DEERS Office
• White Sands Missile Range Commissary
• White Sands Missile Range PX
• White Sands Missile Range Barber Shops
• White Sands Missile Range Post Office
• White Sands Missile Range Finance Office
• White Sands Missile Range Legal Office
• White Sands Missile Range Library
• White Sands Missile Range Hotels

5. Where Should I Live Near White Sands Missile Range? 6. What Schools are Near White Sands Missile Range? 7. What’s the Weather Like in White Sands Missile Range? 8. Things to Do Near White Sands Missile Range

Where is White Sands Missile Range?

Visitor Control Centers

El Paso Gate

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Las Cruces Gate

Owen Road White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

White Sands Missile Range Map

Directions to White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range is in the Tularosa Basin of south-central New Mexico’s Doña Ana County. White Sands Missile Range is about 20 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico; 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas; 40 miles southwest of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico; and 50 miles southwest of Alamogordo, New Mexico.

El Paso International Airport

The closest airport is El Paso International Airport, which is about 45 miles from the installation.

Driving Directions From El Paso International Airport

1. Turn right onto Airway Boulevard.
2. At the second stoplight, turn right onto Airport Road.
3. Continue on Airport Road to state Highway Spur 601. Use the left two lanes to take the state Highway Spur 601 west ramp. Merge onto state Highway Spur 601.
4. Use the right two lanes to merge onto U.S. Highway 54 east toward Alamogordo, New Mexico.
5. Take Exit 31, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
6. Use the left two lanes to turn onto Kenworthy Street.
7. Continue onto Farm to Market Road 3255/Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
8. Continue onto State Road 213 north. At the traffic circle, continue straight on State Road 213 north/War Road.
9. Follow War Road approximately 30 miles to the White Sands Missile Range gate.

White Sands Missile Range Transportation Office

Getting ready for a PCS move and in need of some help? Call the White Sands Missile Range Transportation Office. For more military moving contacts and information, visit Move.mil, the official DOD customer moving portal.

White Sands Missile Range Transportation Office

Building 143, Room 216 White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 678-3506

Entering White Sands Missile Range and Post Amenities

If you do not have a valid military ID, you may have to stop at a visitor control center to gain installation access. Click here for more information on the visitor control centers at White Sands Missile Range.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

Incoming soldiers should report to the Military Personnel Office in Building 465, Room 134. Bring five copies of your orders with amendments, your military personnel file (with SGLV and DD-93), a copy of your latest record brief, your promotions packet if you are an E-4 or E-5 in promotion status and all other medical, dental and financial records for in-processing. Contact your assigned unit for specific in-processing procedures and requirements. For more information on checking in, visit White Sands Missile Range's website for newcomers.

White Sands Missile Range Visitor Center

The installation's visitor control centers issue temporary vehicle passes and can provide directions and information on the installation. For more information on the installation, call the post operator at 1 (575) 678-2121.

Visitor Control Centers

El Paso Gate

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Las Cruces Gate

Owen Road White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Visitor Control Center Hours

• Both gates are open 24/7 but are subject to closures during missile testing. Check local broadcasting networks or the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range Facebook page or call 1 (575) 678-1178 for the current gate status.

White Sands Missile Range Gate Hours

• Las Cruces (Main) Gate:

  Owen Road, open 24/7.

• El Paso Gate:

  Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, open 24/7.

White Sands Missile Range DEERS and ID Cards

White Sands Missile Range Personnel Services Office

465 Dyer St. White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 678-5739

White Sands Missile Range Personnel Services Office Hours

• For more information on making an appointment for ID card services, visit the MyArmyBenefits website.

White Sands Missile Range Commissary

262 Picatinny Ave. White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 678-2313 or 1 (575) 678-1029

White Sands Missile Range Commissary Hours

• Tuesday through Thursday -

  1000 to 1900.

• Friday -

  1000 to 1800.

• Saturday -

  1000 to 1600.

• Sunday -

  1100 to 1600.

White Sands Missile Range PX

White Sands Missile Range PX Troop Store

Building 260 White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 674-2498

White Sands Missile Range Troop Store Hours

• Monday through Friday -

  0800 to 1930.

• Saturday and Sunday -

  1000 to 1800.

White Sands Missile Range Barber Shop

Building 260 White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 674-2040

White Sands Missile Range Barber Shop Hours

• Monday through Friday -

  0900 to 1700.

White Sands Missile Range Post Office

153 Jollet White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 674-2257

White Sands Missile Range Post Office Hours

• Monday -

  1100 to 1300 and 1400 to 1600.

• Tuesday through Friday -

  1000 to 1300 and 1400 to 1600.

White Sands Missile Range Finance

If you're looking for financial advice or assistance on money matters, the talented and professional counselors of the post’s Army Community Service can help. Army Community Service 250 Rock Island Ave. White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 678-6767

White Sands Missile Range ACS Hours

• Monday through Friday -

  0700 to 1630.

White Sands Missile Range Legal Office

Phone:

1 (575) 678-1263

White Sands Missile Range Legal Office Hours

Some legal assistance is available by appointment only. Visit the installation’s legal assistance website for more information on walk-in and appointment services.

White Sands Missile Range Library

Building 465, Room 113 Dyer Street White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002

Phone:

1 (575) 678-5820

White Sands Missile Range Library Hours

• Monday through Friday -

  0900 to 1700.

Hotels Near White Sands Missile Range

There are many hotels near White Sands Missile Range, so you're sure to find one to fit your budget. For a full list of military lodges and affiliated resorts in the area, visit the Department of Defense Lodging website and the IHG Army Hotels website.

IHG Army Hotels Buildings 501, 502, and 506

Check in at: Building 501 Aberdeen Avenue White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002 Phone: 1 (575) 288-3220

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide's White Sands Missile Range Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near White Sands Missile Range?

Cities Near White Sands Missile Range

While many military family members call post housing their home, others choose to live in nearby communities. Organ, Las Cruces and other neighboring communities provide housing, employment and other services for White Sands Missile Range military families.

Suggested Read:

White Sands Missile Range Housing: 4 On-Post Options

Best Places to Live Near White Sands Missile Range

Las Cruces

White Sands Missile Range is about 20 miles east of the city of Las Cruces. The city has a population of approximately 103,000 people. Las Cruces offers residents a host of recreational and outdoor opportunities. The city is home to the Dripping Springs Natural Area and the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. More outdoor adventures can be had at the city's parks, swimming pools and athletic fields. And don’t forget to check out the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum and the Museum of Nature & Science.

Hot Tip: Look for White Sands Missile Range homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

White Sands Missile Range Schools

There are many options for your child's education near White Sands Missile Range. New Mexico offers traditional public schools, as well as public charter schools and private schools. For younger children, there are a variety of local daycares and child care programs on and off the installation. Children who live on post may attend schools in the Las Cruces Public Schools district. There are no DoDEA schools on the installation. The White Sands Missile Range School Support Services website has more information on area school districts, home schooling in New Mexico, special education resources and the youth sponsorship program, which matches incoming students with a fellow student who can guide them in their new community. The website also has contact information for the installation's school liaison officer, who can provide information and guidance on area schools as well as educational resources for your children.

White Sands Missile Range Weather

White Sands Missile Range has a desert climate. In the summer, temperatures can soar to the 90s, with average lows in the 60s. In winter, average highs are in the high 50s and low 60s, with average lows in the 30s. White Sands Missile Range only gets about 11 inches of rain and 1 inch of snow annually.

Things to Do Near White Sands Missile Range

White Sands Missile Range and the surrounding region are home to many historical sites, parks, museums, art venues, theaters, great restaurants and breweries, and vibrant shopping districts. On post, there are a multitude of recreational opportunities, including arts and crafts, bowling, camping, disc golf, skeet and trap, swimming and more. Outside the gates, with the Las Cruces and El Paso nearby, there's no shortage of things to do. Get out and explore!

Suggested Reads:

17 Of the Best Things to Do Near White Sands Missile Range and 15 of the Best Restaurants Near White Sands Missile Range

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for White Sands Missile Range at MyBaseGuide.

Conclusion

Moving to a new post comes with challenges, but White Sands Missile Range is a great place to call home. Head to local hangouts, spend the day exploring Las Cruces or El Paso, and discover other area gems to experience everything this region and world-class installation have to offer you during your time here.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.