2020 Map of Garton Lake

About this map

White Sands National Monument dominates this desert landscape, where the shifting gypsum sands meet the heavy military presence of the Tularosa Basin. The map details the interface between public recreation and restricted federal lands, notably the sprawling White Sands Missile Range and Holloman AFB. Visitors to the monument can trace Dunes Drive as it winds into the white dunes, passing the Dune Life Nature Trail and the controlled entry at the White Sands Gate. Water is a scarce but defining presence in this arid environment, represented by the ephemeral Lost River and small oases like Bradford Spring, Hurtz Spring, and the eponymous Garton Lake. These features reveal the unique hydrological and administrative boundaries of this modern New Mexico landscape.