Planning to visit New Mexico and looking for fun things to do in White Sands National Park?! Here’s everything you need to know and more! From when to go, what to bring, how to get there, and even all my favorite things to do in the stunning white gypsum sand dunes.
Imagine miles and miles of sparkling white sand stretching as far as the eye can see. A striking landscape filled with shimmering gypsum dust. Dark starry night skies and surreal sunsets. The largest gypsum dunefield in the entire world. That’s White Sands National Park in a nutshell — and it’s 100% worth spending at least a day here!
I’m on a quest to visit all 50 states, and New Mexico ended up being #31! So when we decided to plan out a week-long New Mexico road trip, I instantly added White Sands National Park to the itinerary. And after visiting, I promise there’s plenty of fun things to do in White Sands!
Thankfully, White Sand’s a pretty straightforward and easy-to-get-around park, so you can see the main highlights in a day or even less. Perfect if you only have time for a day trip to White Sands National Park (what most people do)!
Follow this White Sands one day itinerary and, trust me, you’ll see oh so much of the park! Like Death Valley and Joshua Tree (both over in California), you can see the major attractions in a short amount of time. But don’t worry, this doesn’t make the park any less worthy of a visit!
About White Sands National Park
White Sands was originally declared a National Monument in 1933, but redesignated to a National Park on December 20, 2019. A well-deserved upgrade in my book!
It’s known for (of course) its stunning white gypsum sand dunes. And these sand dunes create an otherworldly landscape – oh so white and dazzling and bright!
The dunes cover a whopping 275 square miles (which is about a quarter the size of Rhode Island!). To put things in perspective, San Francisco is approximately 47 square miles, whereas Manhattan is roughly 25. So yup, White Sands National Park is pretty huge – and no, you won’t be able to see every single sand dune!
It’s actually the largest gypsum dune field in the entire world – how cool is that?!
What is gypsum sand anyways?!
What White Sands National Park is made of!
Gypsum sand is often softer and finer than traditional quartz sand (what you find at most beaches). It’s a mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate that has a distinctive bright white color and unique composition (science is cool you guys!).
Gypsum is actually a pretty common mineral, but large gypsum sand dune fields are relatively rare. White Sands National Park in New Mexico is one of the most well-known (!!!) and extensive gypsum sand dune areas in the world (!!!).
How were the gypsum sand dunes created?
Two words – Mother Nature!
Back in the day, rain and snowmelt carried gypsum particles from nearby mountains to a dry lakebed called Lake Lucero. As the water evaporated under the hot desert sun, it left behind gypsum crystals.
Strong winds in the area then swept these crystals away from the lakebed, creating fine sand. Over time, the wind-shaped this sand into the vast dune field we see today. And since the wind is constantly moving the sand around, the dunes are always changing!
Visiting White Sands National Park
Where is White Sands National Park and How to Get There
White Sands National Park is located in the southern part of New Mexico. It’s in the Tularosa Basin in the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert, near the town of Alamogordo. Yes, it’s in a desert – not many people realize this!
And it’s actually entirely located within the White Sands Missile Range! But don’t worry, there won’t be any missiles during your visit (just check to make sure no testing is going on – the road will be closed anyways).
Many people don’t make it down to White Sands National Park because, well, it’s honestly kinda in the middle of nowhere, haha. The closest city is about an hour away, and it’s probably one you’ve never heard of! It’s pretty far from the more popular spots in New Mexico, about 3 ½ hours from Albuquerque and over 4 hours from Santa Fe! But I promise you it’s worth the drive!
By Car: If you’re already in New Mexico (or northwest Texas!), you can easily drive to White Sands National Park!
Distances to Towns/Cities Nearby:
- Alamogordo, New Mexico: This is the closest town to White Sands (about 15 miles northeast), and it’s TINY, although larger than Truth or Consequences, haha)! A great place to stay if you wanna be super close for sunrise the next morning, at only 20 minutes away or so.
- Las Cruces, New Mexico: The largest city near White Sands, Las Cruces is roughly 55 miles west of White Sands, or about an hour or so away. Stop in Hatch, NM on the way down from Albuquerque – it’s the chile capital of the world!
- El Paso, Texas: Yes, Texas ain’t too far away! El Paso is about 100 miles east of the park, which is perfect for those visiting the northwestern part of Texas. Expect the drive to take roughly an hour and a half.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico: About 200 miles away, or 3 hours driving.
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas: About 200 miles away, or 3 hours driving.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico: About 225 miles north, or roughly a 3 ½ hour drive.
- Santa Fe, New Mexico: The capital of New Mexico is about 270 miles north of White Sands. Plan to spend about 4 ½ hours driving between the two.
Note that depending on where you’re coming from, you may encounter a border patrol checkpoint or two. Why? White Sands National Park is prettyyyy close to Mexico, only about 50 miles north or so! We had no problems with these (officers let us right through), but just something to keep in mind so you aren’t surprised!
Also, there’s not a ton of gas stations between Albuquerque and Las Cruces/White Sands, so plan to fill up before making the drive.
By Air: If you’re coming from further afield, you’ll wanna fly into either El Paso International Airport (ELP) or Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), as these are the closest airports to White Sands National Park. Since we were visiting other spots in the state on a week-long New Mexico road trip, we flew into Albuquerque and made our way down.
However, El Paso is significantly closer, so if you’re not interested in visiting Albuquerque or Santa Fe (although you totally should!), flying into Texas is your best bet.
Once you fly in, you’ll need to rent a car as there’s no public transportation to the park.
Weather and When to Visit White Sands National Park
White Sands experiences typical desert climate conditions, characterized by hot, hot summers and chilly winters. With this being said, I highly recommend planning your day trip to White Sands in either Spring or Fall. The summer months are absolutely scorching (and yes, the sand does heat up), while winter is a bit too cold in my book.
And thankfully, White Sands has about 330 days of sunshine a year! That brilliant white sand looks striking against a clear blue sky!
Psst – The park is always more crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in summer. Plan to visit on a weekday or during shoulder season if you’re not a fan of crowds.
Seasons in White Sands
Fall (September to November): A great time to visit White Sands! The temps are milder (with daytime highs ranging from 65°F to 85°F), making it a super pleasant time to explore the dunes!
We visited at the end of November, and although it was a tad chillier and windier than expected (and certainly felt colder than 65°F…), I’d much prefer that than the scorching summer months.
Spring (March to May): Another great time to visit the park! Besides the mild weather (averaging about 75°F or so), the desert plants are starting to bloom!
Spring is also a great time for photography, as the temperatures are moderate, and the park is less crowded than in the summer. But note that spring brings high windstorms up to 50mph — I can’t imagine the park being enjoyable when you’ve got sand flying into your mouth!
Winter (December to February): Winter is a much quieter time in the park (less crowds!), and it’s a great time to avoid the extreme heat of summer.
While daytime temps are manageable around 55°F or so, expect much chillier weather once the sun goes down (we’re talking low 20’s°F people – cold!). Also, beware of the occasional winter storm (it can actually snow here!).
Summer (June to August): In my opinion, skip White Sands in the summer. It’s by far the hottest time of year, with daytime temps often exceeding 100°F (38°C), and some days 110°F – no thanks!
If you do plan to visit during the summer (maybe you don’t have much flexibility in your travel plans), visit either early in the morning or late in the afternoon when temperatures are cooler. Be prepared for the intense heat, and stay hydrated. Bring more water than you think you need, and plan to spend a bit of time in the AC in your car. Heat stroke is a real thing!
And surprisingly, it does rain here in the desert! Summer is technically the rainy season here at White Sands, beginning early July and lasting until late September. Check the weather for late afternoon and evening thunderstorms – they’re more common than you think!
Time of Day
I’m kicking myself we didn’t get to experience a sunrise or sunset here at White Sands National Park – they’re known to be legendary! We were so tired after running around the dunes for a few hours. The soft lighting really enhances the beauty of the dunes, and the long afternoon shadows ensure your photos aren’t flat. So, don’t be like me – stay for sunset!
Where to Stay Near White Sands National Park
While there’s no accommodations within White Sands National Park itself, there’s thankfully a few options for staying nearby! I love cute, boutique hotels, but found most of the hotels to be your typical standard hotel chain – perfectly fine for a night and definitely within budget (our splurges were in both Albuquerque and Santa Fe).
Here are some hotel options near White Sands National Park:
Alamogordo, New Mexico: This is the closest urban area to White Sands (about a 20 minute drive), and a common base for visitors to the park. It’s a relatively small town, although it does have some hotels, motels, and restaurants.
Plus The Museum of Space History, and even PistachioLand (with homemade ice cream) a few miles north! Definitely check out Rockin’ BZ Burgers in town for dinner!
Hotels include: Hampton Inn Alamogordo, Days Inn by Wyndham Alamogordo, and Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alamogordo.
Las Cruces, New Mexico: Las Cruces is a vibrant city nestled in the Mesilla Valley, and another solid choice not far from White Sands National Park (about 50 miles west). It’s way larger than tiny Alamogordo, so a great place to stay if you’re looking for more restaurants and things to do.
Whatever you do, you NEED to grab some frozen yogurt sundaes from Caliche’s, basically an institution around these parts. Head to The Shed for breakfast or lunch, and La Posta De Mesilla for dinner.
For reference, we decided to spend the night in Las Cruces at Holiday Inn Express Hotel Las Cruces, and it was perfect for a one-night stay (plus under $150 and included breakfast). Other options nearby include: Comfort Suites Las Cruces, La Quinta by Wyndham Las Cruces, and Staybridge Suites Las Cruces.
El Paso, Texas: Flying into El Paso?! You can certainly make a day trip to White Sands from over here! El Paso is located about 85 miles west of the park, and is a much larger city with tons of hotels and restaurants. Check out hotels in El Paso here.
Psst – backcountry camping was once possible within the park itself, but it’s currently closed indefinitely.
What to Bring and Wear (Being Prepared in the Desert)
- Slather on that sunscreen, the sun is strong over here. And on that note, I always like to take along some SPF lip balm to protect my lips as well.
- Keep your eyes protected from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses (the sun reflects off the white sand like it does with snow)
- A picnic lunch with some salty snacks (helps your body replace electrolytes that you lose from sweating; there’s no food at White Sands)
- At least one gallon of water per person, per day, preferably in a reusable water bottle so you can fill up at the visitor center if absolutely needed
- Closed toe shoes, as the sand can get extremely hot
- A camera to take lots of pretty photos!
- Your National Parks Pass if you’ve got one, of course!
- A sled if you plan to do some dune sledding (you can purchase them in shops in Alamogordo and Las Cruces, or at the White Sands Visitor Center)
Other Important White Sands FAQs and Things to Know
Beware of road closures: White Sands National Park is surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range. From time to time, they perform missile testing. When these military tests are in progress, Dunes Drive (the only way to access the park) is closed to all traffic for 2-3 hours or so. Highway 70, the road that connects both Las Cruces and Alamogordo to White Sands, may also be closed as well.
Check in advance to see when the road is closed (park rangers usually find out 2 weeks ahead of time or so, but may be given only 24 hours notice).
On that note, sometimes debris from missile tests fall into the park and get buried by sand. Yes, this can and does happen on occasion. If you see any strange looking objects, never touch them – they may still be able to detonate. How scary! Tell a park ranger ASAP!
PLEASE leave no trace and do your part to protect the park and all its natural flora and fauna! This means staying away from wildlife (obviously no petting, feeding, or disturbing animals in any way), mutilating or defacing any natural/cultural objects, and packing out whatever you bring in (including garbage when there is no trash bin).
There’s zero food in the park. And when I say zero, I mean absolutely nothing. No food facilities at all (kinda like at Lassen Volcanic National Park in NorCal and Joshua Tree in SoCal). I recommend bringing along a picnic lunch if you think you’ll be there all day, plus some snacks too.
Is there cell service in the park? Don’t count on it. We had absolutely zero cell service, besides a bar or two at the visitors center. I actually turned my phone on airplane mode because it was practically useless (besides for taking photos of course!).
I highly recommend picking up a map at the Visitor Center before entering the park so you know where you’re going and what order the trails are in (although it’s super hard to get lost on the one main road, haha)!
BRING WATER! And more than you think you need. Staying hydrated is absolutely crucial in the desert – you don’t wanna pass out! Remember that the visitor center is the ONLY place to refill your water in the entire park.
If you’d rather not head back to the visitor center time and time again, bring loads of water with you – at least one liter per person, especially in the heat of the blazing summer months.
Even the picnic areas in the park have zero water, including in the bathrooms! Since we were visiting the end of November and the weather was pretty chilly, we were fine with a small water bottle each.
Don’t get lost: Sounds obvious right?! But getting lost in the sand dunes is way easier than you probably think! One of the beauties of White Sands National Park is that you’re allowed to freely walk on the dunes up until a certain point.
This means you’ll always wanna keep landmarks in sight – it’s super easy to get lost in the dunes (hey, they all start looking the same after a few minutes).
Never rely on footprints to get you back to your car, and always wander around with someone else. Oh, and remember your water!
How to get around: You’ll need your own vehicle in order to see White Sands National Park. There’s no public shuttle or bus system to take you around. Driving around yourself is the only way. Thankfully, it’s hard to get super lost since there’s only 1 main road throughout the park (Dune’s Drive).
Can you drive on the sand dunes? Nope – off-roading or driving directly on the dunes is strictly prohibited (in order to protect the delicate ecosystem and preserve the natural landscape of course). The park does have a designated loop road, called the Dunes Drive, where the last few miles are actually packed gypsum.
How long to spend at the park? Most people visiting White Sands find that one day is enough – there’s honestly not TONS to do and it all kinda looks the same after a while. We spent a few hours in the park and that was sufficient for us.
If you’re a photographer, you may find you’ll wanna dedicate two days to White Sands since conditions can be tough at times (wind in the spring, rain storms in the summer, cold fronts in the winter).
Hours of operation: Unlike other National Parks, White Sands has strict operating hours – yes, there’s a curfew!
While gates always open at 7am, closing hours change with the seasons. The park closure time will be posted at the entrance. When we visited in late November, the park was set to close at 6pm, about an hour after sunset. Don’t be late because once the gates close, you’re stuck with a fine (although I heard the park rangers are pretty chill… but you never know!). Check opening hours here.
You can apply for a paid permit if you wanna enter early (for sunrise!) or stay late (for the starry night sky).
Luckily, White Sands National Park is open daily year-round except for Christmas Day.
Plants and wildlife: I was super surprised to learn that there’s actually quite a bit of plant life and wild animals over here at White Sands! Who knew animals could thrive in these desert, sandy conditions?!
Expect to find lots of pink sand verbena and yucca plants, and look out for small lizards, pocket mice, and even kit foxes (while they only come out at night, look for their tracks during the day!).
Entrance fees: Like most National Parks, you’ll need to pay a fee to enter. These passes are good for multiple entries over the course of up to 7 days, so keep your receipt if you think you’ll be heading back soon.
- Vehicle – $25.00
- Person – $15.00
- Motorcycle – $20.00
- Annual Vehicle Pass – $45.00
Of course if you have the America the Beautiful pass, that’ll work here as well! Highly recommended if you’re planning on visiting at least 3 national parks a year.
Are pets allowed? Yes, on leash, but not in the visitor center. We saw quite a few dogs while visiting White Sands National Park, and I could tell they just loved burying their noses into the soft sand! I bet Kona would have just loved it, but he was back home in California.
Things to do in White Sands National Park
The main beauty of White Sands is the fact that the main attraction really is the massive gypsum sand dunes! There’s not really tons of things to do in White Sands National Park, haha. And I don’t say that in a negative way. Meaning it’s super hard to have FOMO here… there’s no set itinerary I recommend as we kinda just wandered around.
It’s not a park with a checklist of sights to see (like Yosemite, Death Valley, or even Joshua Tree). You’re there to enjoy the glistening white gypsum sand and feel like a kid again.
White Sands National Park truly is one giant playground, and we had SO MUCH FUN climbing the dunes and running around. My husband even proclaimed it his third favorite National Park of all time (after Rocky Mountain NP in Colorado and Banff NP in Canada).
Stop by the Visitors Center
You’ll wanna start your day at White Sands National Park at the visitors center! Not only is it literally the only place to refill your water in the ENTIRE park (don’t forget that!), but it’s designed in a pueblo revival style! Super cool to see if you haven’t already seen pueblo architecture up north in Albuquerque or Santa Fe.
Pick up a map, ask the rangers which hikes they recommend based on your preferences, and take a touristy photo at the entrance sign. One of the quickest things to do in White Sands, but a very important stop!
Take a Scenic Drive along Dunes Drive
Have you ever ridden on a gypsum sand road before?! Probably not! Dunes Drive is the primary route for exploring White Sands National Park – and spoiler alert, it’s actually the only road in the park. Dunes Drive goes straight through the heart of the vast dune fields, but you’ll 100% wanna get out to explore further.
There’s a few marked trailhards (lots more info below), with additional picnic areas to stop and appreciate the unique landscape.
And don’t worry, the road is accessible to all vehicles – cars, motorcycles, RVs, buses, etc. While the first five miles of Dunes Drive are paved, the last three miles are a hard-packed gypsum sand road. We were driving a Nissan Murano and had no problems at all navigating on the sand road – it honestly feels paved, it’s that hard-packed.
Dunes Drive typically opens every day at 7 am, and closes at different times depending on the season (earlier in winter and later in summer). Note that Dunes Drive may be closed during missile tests by the White Sands Missile Range for visitor safety.
Go “Hiking” on the Sand Dunes
I put “hiking” in quotes because it’s really just navigating the sand dunes on a set path, haha.
And some of these designated trails are HARD, despite the trail facts saying minimal change in elevation. You’re constantly walking up and down dunes, which is such a tough workout if the sand is soft. Two steps forward, one step back. Also, the elevation at White Sands is 4,235 feet (1,291m), so you may be hiking at higher elevations than you’re used to.
Keep in mind the trails have little to no shade, so bring enough water and know your limits.
While you can honestly just wander off trail and explore the dunes to your liking yourself (yes, we asked the rangers at the Visitors Center), here’s the established trails and boardwalks found at the park:
Playa Trail: The Playa Trail is super family friendly and relatively short, leading visitors to Lake Lucero, a dry lakebed at the southern end of the park. Make it a point to hike this ½ mile trail to learn about the park’s geology and the formation of the gypsum sand dunes.
It only takes about 15-30 minutes or so, and the trail is mostly flat, compacted sediment (so not very difficult at all).
Interdune Boardwalk: Being the only accessible trail in the park, The Interdune Boardwalk is an elevated boardwalk taking visitors to a scenic view of the dune field and the gorgeous Sacramento Mountains in the distance.
I loved reading the interpretive signs about the plants and animals adapted to the environment along the boardwalk – I had no clue roadrunners and raptors are found here! A super short stop if you wanna get off the actual sand for a bit.
Dune Life Nature Trail: The first trail you’ll come across on Dunes Drive, and it was our first taste of White Sands National Park! It’s a short moderate loop trail (1 mile round trip) great for all ages, although we admittedly formed our own path after a few minutes, whoops!
What’s most interesting about this trail is the fact that it’s where two diverse ecosystems meet – the desert scrub community and the gypsum sand dunes. Meaning you should totally look out for animal tracks; kit foxes, rodents, reptiles, and even coyotes live in this area. Spoiler alert — we saw none.
Backcountry Camping Trail: This was one of my favorite spots in the park! You get the gorgeous sand dune landscape with the stunning San Andres Mountains to the west. The trail is a 2 mile loop, and rated moderate-strenuous since you’ll be climbing some 40-50 foot dunes (on loose gypsum sand!) throughout. Expect the hike to take an average of 2-3 hours to complete.
Along the way, look out for bleached earless lizards (yes, they’re a real thing!), tall soaptree yucca plants, and white moths.
Alkali Flat Trail: Expansive views over here! This is the trail to take if you wanna see miles and miles of gypsum sand dunes without many footprints.
It’s here that you’ll get into the heart of the dune field – it is the most challenging hike though, a 5-mile up and down loop (climbing steep dunes of up to sixty feet in loose gypsum sand). Don’t be fooled by the name – the Alkali Flat Trail is anything but flat!
Definitely take lots of water (especially in summer), as it takes an average of 3-5 hours to complete. And for safety, if you don’t see the next trail marker, turn around and go back to the trailhead. It’s super easy to get lost over here.
Psst: It’s highly recommended to not start a hike if the temperature is at or above 85°F (30°C). It’s just too hot to safely enjoy the trail!
Go Sledding on the Sand Dunes
One of the most popular things to do in White Sands National Park is to go sledding – yes, sledding! There’s no snow here, but there’s a whole lotta sand! Although unlike snow, sand is not slippery and sledding down a dune takes practice.
You can buy a sled at the park’s visitors center or in shops in nearby Las Cruces or Alamorgado for about $20. You can sell the sled back for a few bucks, which I hope they reuse for others! There’s also wax available for purchase, although I heard that it honestly doesn’t really do too much in terms of speed or anything.
Just remember, you’ll need to climb up the side of the dunes time and time again if you wanna keep sledding! Quite the workout! And it’s way harder than it looks (although tons of fun) – we saw a few people get stuck mid-dune, and have to fight with the sand to make it all the way down. Make sure you choose a dune that’s steep enough to hopefully avoid this!
You’re allowed to sled in the loop portion of Dunes Drive, away from the road, and where there is little or no vegetation. Look out for no sledding signs – there’s a few!
Looking back, I kinda regret not getting a sled – next time for me!
Photograph the Dunes
One of my favorite things to do in White Sands National Park was to photograph the dunes and patterns in the sand! The park has such unique photo opps (I mean, the landscape is stunning…), so make sure to bring your camera.
The stark contrast between the white sand and the clear blue sky is absolutely stunning!
I loved photographing the soaptree yucca plants (New Mexico’s state flower!), the crazy sand formations and patterns, and from up high and low. Capture different angles and you’ll have so much fun!
Sunrise and sunset are super popular with photographers, as are the golden hours before/after sunrise/sunset. The long shadows ensure your photos aren’t flat looking, and the soft colorful hues are absolutely gorgeous.
Looking back I totally wish we stayed for sunset, but clouds were rolling in and sunset wasn’t for another few hours… so we left! Of course the sky was clear in Las Cruces that night (and the colors were poppin’), so was probably clear at White Sands as well (although no guarantee). Oh well! No regrets!
Also, if you want clean photos of the dunes (without any human footprints), watch where you walk! If you walk through the middle of dunes it’ll mess up the patterns and lines in the sand, and ruin the opportunity to photograph that dune! I made sure to walk around the dunes I wanted to photograph, and made sure my husband did as well, haha. Once I was happy with my photos, you know I made a beeline for the dune and ran right through it, haha.
Make sure to protect your camera from the elements when you’re in the dunes, particularly to avoid sand at all costs. Tiny grains of sand can scratch your lens, ruin the internal electronics, and even clog buttons and dials. You mayyyy wanna put your camera away during a dust/sand storm, and be especially mindful when and where you’re changing your lenses.
Go Stargazing!
I’m always on the lookout for starry night skies – and White Sands is actually designated as an International Dark Sky Park (just like Borrego Springs). Meaning its an excellent location for unobstructed views of southern New Mexico’s night skies and galaxy! Including the Milky Way!
Since White Sands is kiiinda in the middle of nowhere (hey, it’s true!), the lack of artificial light pollution means easier visibility of stars and clear views of the night sky. For the best stargazing, plan to go during a new moon phase since that’s when there’s the least light! Full moons emit way too much light for stargazing.
Just remember you’ll need to obtain a permit to stay late into the night, as the park typically closes an hour after sunset.
Hope that helps you plan a visit to White Sands National Park! Are you headed to New Mexico soon?!
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