Rangers and Visitors Bid Farewell to Iconic Cottonwood at White Sands National Park

Wind and rain from recent monsoon storms likely destabilized the roots, and the tree has fallen.

Source: White Sands National Park (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy

White Sands National Park announced the park recently lost an icon. This Rio Grande cottonwood tree has delighted visitors and rangers alike on Dune Life Nature Trail for decades. Wind and rain from recent monsoon storms likely destabilized the roots, and the tree has fallen.

All NPS Photos/ 1 – Mark G (2026, Cover image), 2 – Jack Boucher (1959), 3 – (2012), 4 – Jon Thele (2024), 5 – Jesus B (2021), 6 – no data, 7 – Tammy R. (2024), 8 – Brian P. (2023), 9 – Mark G, 10 – Tharon S. (2023)

The tree was already full grown and well established in a photo taken in 1959, so it is likely at least 10 years older than the photo. In a photo taken in 2012, we see that the roots are starting to peek up above the surface of the sand and have grown thick bark to protect themselves. Since 2012, even more sand has blown out from under the tree roots which grew larger to support it.

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The striking appearance of this tree and its tangle of roots has likely been a subject of thousands of photos over the years. Rangers share some of their favorites. Park representatives invited past visitors to share photos in the comments of their social media account “as we say goodbye to one of the toughest survivors of the Chihuahuan Desert.”

Even though the tree is now on the ground, it can still serve as habitat for a variety of animals. For your own safety, please do not climb on the downed tree.