Tularosa Basin
Tularosa Basin is a high desert valley in south-central New Mexico, bordered by the Sacramento Mountains to the east and the San Andres Mountains to the west. The basin is characterized by its arid climate, salt flats, and the Rio Grande running through its southern end. Nearby towns include Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. Visitors come for desert landscapes, sky广°-night views, and access to regional parks and trails.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | US Southwest |
| Subregion | Southwestern United States |
| Country | United States |
| State | New Mexico |
| County | Otero County |
| District | Tularosa-Timbisha Basin |
| City | Alamogordo |
| Timezone | AmericaShiprock |
| Latitude | 32.75 |
| Longitude | -105.9 |
| Maps |
9:35 PM LOCAL TIMETularosa Basin is a large high desert expanse in south-central New Mexico, shaped by eolian processes and hydrologic basins that drain southward toward the Rio Grande and evaporate salt flats at lower elevations. It is bordered by the Sacramento Mountains and Otero Plateau to the east, and the San Andres and Oscura Mountains to the west. The basin supports communities like Alamogordo and Carrizozo, and features such as White Sands National Park at its northeastern edge. The climate is hot and arid by day, but can be surprisingly cold at night; annual precipitation is sparse and mostly occurs during summer monsoon and winter storms. Visitors access the region for desert and high-altitude sky watching, regional hiking and trail routes, and as a gateway to nearby parks and cultural sites.
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