Quick & Easy Guide to White Sands National Park
Plan the perfect trip to White Sands National Park with this complete travel guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including when to visit, what to bring, top things to do, & much more.
After exploring the underground cave of Carlsbad Caverns we arrived to our 4th National Park of our epic summer trip, WHITE SANDS. This massive gypsum dune field is less than 10,000 years old and can be seen from space!
59% of the park is occupied by the White Sands Missile Range which conducts research, development, testing, and evaluation of weapons and space systems. The remaining 41% of the park features 9 miles of hiking trails, backcountry camping, sledding, ranger programs, and dunes as far as the eye can see.
We stayed at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park in Alamogordo and the scenic mountain views and blooming desert plant life made for an unforgettable experience. If you have just one day or a few days to spare, White Sands National Park is a great place to visit.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
About White Sands
Getting to White Sands
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
Top Things to Do
One Day Itinerary
ABOUT WHITE SANDS
White Sands is a 145,000 acre National Park located in south central New Mexico. It was established in 2019 and contains 4.5 billion tons of gypsum sand making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world. It’s home to over 300 species of plants, 250 birds, and 45 endemic species, such as, the Apache Pocket Mouse, White Sands Wood Rat, and the Bleached Earless Lizard.
No reservations are required to enter White Sands National Park.
ENTRANCE FEE
$25 per vehicle which is valid for 7 days. You can also use the America the Beautiful Pass to enter for free.
PET POLICY
Pets must be leashed at all times and no longer than 6 feet in length. They’re allowed on all hiking trails, picnic areas, and the dune field. Always pick up their waste.
GETTING TO WHITE SANDS
White Sands National Park is located in South Central New Mexico in the Tularosa Basin. The park is situated off Highway US 70 between the cities of Las Cruces and Alamogordo. The San Andres Mountains surround the park on the west and the Holloman Air Force Base to the east.
Alamogordo - 17 minutes or 16 miles
Las Cruces - 1 hour or 52 miles
El Paso - 1.5 hours or 95 miles
Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 3 hours or 181 miles
Albuquerque - 3.5 hours or 224 miles
NEAREST AIRPORTS
El Paso International
WHEN TO VISIT
White Sands is open year round with the best time to visit being October to May.
SPRING & SUMMER
Average highs are in the mid 70s with frequent windstorms. Full Moon Hikes are available once a month from March to November. Summers bring extreme heat with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees. Rainy season in White Sands is mid July to October bringing late afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
FALL & WINTER
September to November is an ideal time to visit. Sunny days bring warm temps with an average high in the 70s and 80s. Daily temps average high 60s and the low 20s with occasional snow.
The park will occasionally close in the morning for missile testing. Always check for current conditions before visiting White Sands National Park
WHAT TO BRING
Plenty of Water
White Sands National Park is high desert which means hot and dry especially in the summer. Be sure to pack extra water and stay hydrated while exploring. We love adding LMNT’s electrolyte packets to our insulated water bottles to stay hydrated for the whole day.
Sun Protectant
There is no shade on any trails in the park so it’s best to bring your favorite sunscreen and wear sun protectant clothing when exploring.
Lunch / Snacks
It is highly recommended to pick a lunch and snacks when visiting White Sands. There are several covered picnic areas providing a scenic lunch experience.
Sled or Sand board
To enjoy the dunes. You can bring your own or purchase from the gift shop.
AMENITIES NEARBY
IN THE PARK
VISITOR CENTER
Open year round and a great place to start your adventure in White Sands National Park. Load up on info, pick up a park map, and get exploring. Here you can also find water filling stations, restrooms, gift shop, museum exhibit, and the park film.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPGROUND
10 backcountry sites are available among the white gypsum dunes. The campground is currently closed for rehabilitation. No reopening date has been set.
TOWNS NEARBY
LAS CRUCES
The second largest city in New Mexico. Las Cruces sits in the Organ Caldera, 3,900 feet above sea level on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert providing a unique landscape of desert plants and towering mountains.
LODGING
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Hampton Inn & Suites
Hacienda De Mesilla
Courtyard by Marriott
Staybridge Suites
Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces
Lundeen Inn of the Arts
Hilton Garden Inn
Comfort Inn & Suites
Home 2 Suites by Hilton
Ramada by Wyndham
Drury Inn & Suites
RV PARKS
Las Cruces KOA Journey
Sunny Acres RV Park
Hacienda RV Resort
Siesta RV Park
FOOD
Albertsons
Walmart
Target
Lowes Fiesta Foods
Sprouts Farmers Market
Toucan Market
Natural Grocers
Renoo’s Thai Time
Moongate Cafe
Los Mariachis
Chilitos
El Javalito Restaurant
ALAMOGORDO
A small tourist town located 15 minutes Northeast of White Sands National Park. Known for the Holloman Air Force Base, Pistachio Land, and White Sands National Park. Sits in the Tularosa Basin of the Chihuanhuan Desert.
LODGING
Hampton Inn
Quality Inn & Suites
Home2 Suites by Hilton
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Fairfield Inn
The Classic Desert Aire Hotel
Super 8
Days Inn
RV PARKS
White Sands RV Park
Boot Hill RV Resort
Alamogordo/ White Sands KOA Journey
Holloman Lake Campground
Dog Canyon Dispersed Campground
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
FOOD
Albertsons
Walmart
Lowe’s Signature Market
Dollar General
Bry’s Lunchbox
Our Country Kitchen
Johnny Carino’s
Applebee’s
CJ’s Si Señor Restaurant
Hi-D-Ho Drive In
La Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Our site at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
TOP THINGS TO DO
VISITOR CENTER & EXHIBIT
Start your exploration of White Sands at the Visitor Center. Grab a park map & check out the park exhibit. Stop at the restroom and get the latest scoop from the park ranger. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir at the park store. If you didn’t bring your own sled you can purchase one here.
8 MILE DUNES DRIVE
Enjoy a scenic drive like no other on this 16 mile round trip loop through White Sands National Park. The drive features the parks most sought after attractions, such as, hiking trails, picnic areas, and access to the dunes. The last 3 miles of the road are on hard packed gypsum sand as you make your way around the dunes. This will surely be a drive you won’t forget.
PLAYA TRAIL
The Playa Trail in White Sands is a easy, flat half mile round trip loop through Playas, a shallow depression in the ground that fills with water after a rainstorm. On the trail, there are several outdoor exhibits showing how this dry lake bed blooms full of life after a storm. It’s a great way to learn about the plant and animal life that call White Sands National Park home.
INTERDUNE BOARDWALK
The Interdune Boardwalk is a half mile elevated boardwalk that takes you through the dunes and provides exhibits on the science and geology of White Sands National Park. The path is wheel chair accessible and also offers shaded canopies to sit and enjoy the nature of White Sands.
DUNE LIFE NATURE TRAIL
The Dune Life Nature Trail is a moderately challenging 1 mile loop that explores the edge of the dune field where desert scrub meet the gypsum dunes. The trail is indicated by blue trail markers and is a great way to learn about the foxes, badgers, birds, rodents, and reptiles that call this area home.
ALKALI FLAT TRAIL
For a more in depth exploration of White Sands National Park, take the strenuous 5 miles hike out into the heart of the dunes. This trail is indicated by red trail markers guiding you up and over dunes with 360 degree views of white gypsum sand. Best if done in the morning, evening, on a chilly day, or if there’s cloud coverage. Avoid this hike in the heat of the afternoon and make sure to bring plenty of water.
SLEDDING
For a fun family adventure, slide down the steep dunes on sled or sandboard. Sledding works best with a well waxed plastic snow saucer or sand board. There are several areas to sled on the dunes found at the end of the Dunes Drive. Sleds and wax are for purchase at the park gift shop if you don’t want to bring your own.
ENJOY A SUNSET
Complete your day in the park with a breathtaking sunset over the white sand dunes. For a ranger guided walk, join a hour hike across the dunes and learn about the nature and geology of White Sands. Sunset Stroll Ranger Program is offered on weekends year round.
SEASONAL PARK PROGRAMS
Several different programs are offered at different times of the year providing a unique experience of White Sands. In the cooler months, take a tour around Lake Lucero to learn how White Sands National Park was formed. In the summer take an evening walk over dunes on a Full Moon Hike offered the night before the full moon.
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
If you’re not able to plan a visit to White Sands National Park then this is great way for you’re kids to still learn about the park without actually being there. The Virtual Junior Ranger Program consists of a series of videos and activities to complete with a Virtual Badge to be given at the end.
PARKS AS CLASSROOMS
What better way to learn then by bringing the classroom to the park! The National Park System provides a series of curriculum covering topics such a math, science, social studies, and language arts for elementary and middle school learners. A great option for homeschooling or field trips.
ONE DAY ITINERARY
Stop 1. Check out the Visitor Center, watch the park film, & purchase a sled if you didn’t bring one.
Stop 2. Walk the Playa Trail.
Stop 3. Dune Life Nature Trail.
Stop 4. Interdune Boardwalk.
Stop 5. Sled on the dunes & have a picnic.
Stop 6. Alkali Flat Trail.
Stop 7. Sunset Stroll on the dunes.
Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever been to White Sands National Park.
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WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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