White Sands National Park

Overview

About

White Sands National Park is in southern New Mexico. It was protected as a national monument in 1933 and became a national park in 2019.

Visitor map

Travel tips

Getting there: White Sands National Park is in southern New Mexico, about 24 km southwest of Alamogordo and about 84 km northeast of Las Cruces, with US 70 between them. The nearest commercial airport is El Paso International in Texas, about 137 km away; a rental car is needed.

In the park: the visitor center, built in adobe in 1938, is at the entrance. From there Dunes Drive runs about 13 km deep into the dunes. There is no shuttle, so you drive yourself.

Walking: the park has five marked trails, about 14 km in total, off Dunes Drive. The route is marked by posts on the sand, and it is easy to lose the way.

Sand sledding: plastic sleds are used on the dunes and can be bought or returned at the visitor center store. The dunes turn pink at sunset, which is a popular time to visit.

Closures: the park adjoins White Sands Missile Range. During tests the park and US 70 can close; Dunes Drive may close for up to about three hours, and hiking, sledding and camping are not allowed meanwhile.

Season: spring is windy with blowing sand; summer is hot, though the gypsum sand stays cooler than ordinary sand; winter days are pleasant but mornings and evenings are cold. The sun is strong, so carry water, a hat and sun protection.

Camping and lodging: there is no regular campground, only ten backcountry sites reached on foot. Hotels are in Alamogordo and Las Cruces.

Nearby: Alamogordo has the New Mexico Museum of Space History; Carlsbad Caverns National Park is about three hours' drive to the south-east.

Map