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White Sands National Park is an amazing place to spend a day. It’s a huge field of white sand dunes located in southern New Mexico.

White Sands National Park in New Mexico
White Sands National Park

 

History

White Sands National Park was originally designated a national monument on January 18, 1933. It was redesignated a national park on December 20, 2019. The park is completely surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. It has been used as a filming location for several feature films, and is the world’s largest gypsum dune field.

White Sands National Park in New Mexico
White Sands National Park

 

Entrance Fee

The entrance fee to White Sands National Park is US$25 per vehicle (as of September 2024), or free for holders of an interagency pass. The park is open year-round except Christmas Day. It opens at 7am while closing hours vary depending on the season. Ranger-guided programs are offered throughout the year, some for an additional fee.

White Sands National Park

 

Lodging and Camping

There’s no lodging in the park, but there is primitive backcountry camping. Unfortunately, it’s currently closed due to rehabilitation of camping sites (as of September 2024). Several public and private campgrounds are within an hour’s drive of the park. The nearest cities with hotels are Alamogordo (13 miles) and Las Cruces (50 miles).

 

Visitor Center

The visitor center at White Sands National Park is a historic building constructed between 1936 and 1940. It contains a museum, gift shop, and snack bar. There’s also a 17-minute film running every half hour. Opening hours vary by season.

Museum at the visitor center at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Museum at the visitor center

 

Dunes Drive

Dunes Drive is the only road in the park. It runs for 16 miles round-trip with a short loop at the end. All trailheads are located along Dunes Drive, as well as outdoor exhibits, picnic areas, vault toilets, and parking areas.

Picnic area at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Picnic area

The first five miles are paved and the last three are hard-packed gypsum. The drive takes about 45 minutes to complete, without stops for hiking, sledding, or picnicking.

Dunes Drive at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Dunes Drive

 

Hiking

There are five hiking trails at White Sands National Park. They are the Interdune Boardwalk (0.4 miles round-trip, accessible); Playa Trail (½ mile round-trip, easy); Dune Life Nature Trail (1 mile loop, moderate); Backcountry Camping Trail (2 mile round-trip, moderate); and Alkali Flat Trail (5 miles, strenuous).

Interdune Boardwalk at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Interdune Boardwalk
Scenery on the Interdune Boardwalk
Scenery on the Interdune Boardwalk at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Scenery on the Interdune Boardwalk

While we only allocated enough time to do the Interdune Boardwalk, all of the trails at the park allow visitors to explore the geology, flora, and fauna at the dunes. There’s no shade, and it’s recommended not to hike if the temperature is above 85 ºF (30 ºC). Take plenty of water and use sunscreen.

Interdune Boardwalk
Scenery on the Interdune Boardwalk
White gypsum sand on the Interdune Boardwalk

 

Sledding

Sledding is by far the most popular and enjoyable activity at White Sands National Park. You can bring your own sled or purchase a plastic disc sled from the gift shop with a “sell it back” option. Blocks of wax are also for sale.

Sledding at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Sledding
Standing at the top of a sand dune
Sledding
Sledding at White Sands National Park in New Mexico
Sledding

We stopped at a few sledding spots off the loop on Dunes Drive. It was the highlight of our trip to the park, and I can’t wait to go back and do it again!

Gönül sledding down the dunes
Gönül sledding down the dunes

Author

Owner of Paisadventure. World traveler. Chicago sports lover. Living in Colombia.

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