CITY OF ROCKS Extension
September 18-19, 2008
2 days/1 night (camping) $225.
Why settle for 2 or 3 stars a night, when you can have billions of them when camping under a star-studded night sky? Enjoy this night in the wilderness of New Mexico!
You provide your own transportation.
NOTE: You may also book this extension as a stand-alone trip, without White Sands - in that case it will end at City of Rocks.


Thursday(D)
Your adventure begins as we caravan from Albuquerque to City of Rocks (a three-hour drive) on a very scenic road via Hillsboro and Kingston and through the forested Mimbres Mountains range. If time allows, we may stop by horse-grazing pastures as we ride by the rolling hills of the small villages of San Lorenzo and San Juan.

In City of Rocks we each choose one of the many campsites developed by the Park among the huge rock formations and set up camp (tent or car camping). Formed of volcanic ash 30 million years ago and sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks, City of Rocks is a photographer's paradise. We have time to explore, enjoying the late afternoon light, then we gather at the tour leader's site for a picnic dinner and a digital presentation of selected work taken at City of Rocks.

City of Rocks is one of the few US locations with the darkest nights. The night sky is quite awesome, with the Milky Way clearly visible and millions of stars shining like diamonds against black velvet. Great opportunity to photograph star trails.

Friday (B,L)
Up before dawn to the sound of howling coyotes (far away), we're ready to capture sunrise light, a mesmerizing light that gives great texture to the rocks and paints them with golden hues. Wild sunflowers in bloom at that time of year can be found in abundance in the park, as well as various cacti, ocotillos and yuccas. The rock formations are so unique they are only known to exist in six other places in the world. We'll explore at sunrise, looking for the best composition, light and shadows, learning to see details as well as the big picture.

We then enjoy breakfast in this beautiful natural setting, serenaded by wild birds and observed by curious squirrels while long-eared jack-rabbits scurry about.
We leave City of Rocks by mid morning and head to Alamogordo with lunch en route.

Extension Cost: $225
Reservations: Full payment is due with your White Sands weekender balance, at least 30 days before start date.
Cost includes : Park entrance and campsite (no electricity); meals as indicated (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner); services of tour leader; all taxes.
Bottled water will be available at all times.

Cost does NOT include: Transportation to/from your home city; ground transportation in NM (you provide your own transportation - own vehicle or rental), alcoholic beverages, items of personal nature and incidentals.

Camping: This is a unique park with unique campsites arranged among the rock formations. Some sites are electrically equipped (for an additional fee not included) and can accommodate RV's. Each site has a table/benches and grill. You bring your own tent and set it up. We also have two light tents available for rent ($10 per tent - on first-come, first served basis) if necessary. Whether you decide to sleep in tent or in your SUV, please bring your air-mattress, bedding and towels as necessary. The park is equipped with showers.
Weather: Average high temperature: 87F; Average low temperature: 60F. Bring appropriate clothing and bedding for camping night out.

For complete details, see our General Information page.