White Sands National Park
NM
Park Alerts (6)
About White Sands National Park
Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.
Things To Do
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Hiking Dune Life Nature Trail
The Dune Life Nature Trail is full of life! This family-friendly, one mile (1.6 km) loop trail is a great way to explore White Sands.
Sledding at the Roadrunner Picnic Area
The Roadrunner Picnic area is an excellent place to go sledding with friends and family at White Sands National Park.
Hiking the Playa Trail
This short, level, family-friendly trail leads to a small playa.
Hiking Backcountry Camping Trail
Are you looking for expansive views of snow-white gypsum dunes for miles? Hiking the Backcountry Camping Trail provides a sense of the magnitude of the world's largest gypsum dunefield.
Hiking Alkali Flat Trail
Imagine yourself surrounded by the spectacular views of endless dunes with few footprints. The Alkali Flat Trail takes you through the heart of the sands, up and over steep dunes to the edge of Alkali Flat.
Sledding at the Alkali Flat Trailhead
The Alkali Flat trailhead parking area has some of the tallest dunes to go sledding at White Sands.
Available Activities
Weather
Temperatures at White Sands vary greatly throughout the year. Summer time temperatures can be very hot. Winters are mild with cool evenings.
Spring time is the windy season. Fall is very enjoyable with mild daytime and night time temperatures.
Getting There
White Sands National Park is located off of US Highway 70 between the cities of Las Cruces and Alamogordo. The park is about 15 miles west of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruces.
Plan Your Visit
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Standard Park Hours
The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
Entrance - Per Person
Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who enter the park by walking and bicycling. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Van
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).