If you enjoy visiting unique places, then White Sands National Park in New Mexico needs to be on your list of places to visit. When you think of New Mexico, you likely think desert. And you’d be right. What you’d like NOT expect, is endless white sands as far as the eye can see. That… Is White Sands National Park. And the best part? It’s dog-friendly, and full of soft adventures!
THE WHITE SANDS
The first thing you should probably learn about White Sands National Park before visiting, is what it is? Why is there this oasis of white sand in the middle of the desert? We won’t bore you with a lengthy explanation, but short of it is that the white sand is actually gypsum. “Although gypsum is a fairly common mineral, it is rarely found as sand because it easily dissolves in water, and rivers generally carry dissolved gypsum out to sea. Waters flowing into the basin holding White Sands National Park however, found no outlet and evaporated. Over many years, gypsum crystals deposited in this basin were subjected to freezing, thawing, and wind, and broke down in to tiny grains.” – NASA
WHERE IS WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK LOCATED?
White Sands National Park is located in southern New Mexico. The park is situated in the northern region of the Chihuahuan Desert roughly 20 minutes west of Alamogordo, New Mexico.
DRIVE TIME FROM:
There is only one entrance in to the park, so planning out your route depending on where you’re coming from, should be relatively easy. Here’s the estimated drive time from most of the major surrounding cities.
- Albuquerque – 3.5 hours
- Sante Fe – 4 hours
- Tucson – 4.5 hours
- Phoenix – 6.5 hours
- Salt Lake City – 12.5 hours
- Denver – 8.5 hours
- Dallas – 10 hours
- San Antonio – 9 hours
CLOSEST AIRPORT
The closest major international airport, is Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) which is roughly 3.5 hours away. The next nearest airport is in El Paso Texas: El Paso International Airport (ELP).
MAP OF WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
BEST TIMES TO VISIT WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
First and foremost, you are in New Mexico, which is a desert. So it can get hot. But it can also get quite cold in the evenings as well. Average highs range between 57ºF/14ºC and 97ºF/36ºC, with the lows ranging from 22ºF/-5ºC and 64ºF/18ºC. Like many warm climate places, the spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) months are most ideal.
We’ve visited this park twice, once in late September, and once in early November and the temperatures were quite comfortable both times! That being said, the winds peak during the spring months, so you may want to avoid those times as it could make your visit rather uncomfortable. Unless you don’t mind wind and sand whipping in your face. Another benefit to going in the fall months, is that the Cottonwood plants are usually changing their colors around this time, making the views in the park quite beautiful.
ENTRY TO WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
The park entrance and visitor center is right off of Highway 70 about 17 miles west of Alamogordo, or about 52 miles east of Las Cruces. There is only one road in and out of the park which spans about 8 miles, making it relatively easy to get in and out of. That being said, if you are visiting during a peak season, this also means that parking inside the park can fill up quickly.
Being a National Park, there is an entry fee required in to White Sands National Park. The good news, is not only is it not expensive, but there are also multiple options. A single vehicle pass is $25 and is good for 7 days from first entry. You can also get an annual park pass to White Sands specifically for $45. But if you’re anything like us, and love visiting National Parks, you may want to consider getting the America The Beautiful Pass. This pass gives you free entry to all National Parks in the U.S. for just $80. They do also discounted Senior passes as well as free passes for current U.S. Military.
WHERE TO STAY AROUND WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
When visiting White Sands National Park, there are several options for accommodations. The choice of where to stay really depends on your preferences, budget, and the level of convenience you seek. Here are some options for places to stay when visiting White Sands National Park:
- Alamogordo – Alamogordo is the nearest city to White Sands National Park, located about 15 miles to the north. It offers a variety of lodging options, including hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. Staying in Alamogordo provides easy access to the park and also offers a range of dining and shopping choices.
- White Sands Missile Range RV Park – If you have an RV or prefer camping, the White Sands Missile Range RV Park is located near the park and offers RV sites with hookups. This is a convenient option if you’re traveling with an RV or camper.
- Campgrounds in White Sands National Park – The park itself has a limited number of backcountry camping sites, which allow visitors to camp in the dunes. Permits are required, and it’s essential to check the park’s website for rules and regulations.
- Las Cruces – Las Cruces is a larger city located about an hour’s drive from White Sands National Park. It offers a wider range of accommodations, including hotels, motels, and vacation rentals. If you don’t mind a slightly longer drive, Las Cruces can be a good base for exploring the area.
- El Paso, Texas – El Paso is a larger city located about 80 miles to the west of White Sands National Park. It offers a wide selection of hotels and accommodations. While it’s a bit farther from the park, it can be a good option for those who want to combine their visit with other attractions in the El Paso area.
HARVEST HOSTS
Do you have a RV or a camper? Then Harvest Hosts is easily the best $100 spent. Harvest Host is a network of over 2,500 locations around the U.S., Canada and Mexico that allow you to stay at overnight at no additional cost*. The best part? These locations are wineries, breweries, distilleries, farms, museums and more! Imagine opening the door to your camper or RV to morning views over a vineyard. Or sipping delicious beer at a local brewery. This is the life you could be living. So if you aren’t already a member, trust us, click on the banner and sign up!
There are a number of locations located in both Alamogordo, and Las Cruces. So definitely take a look!
*It is highly recommended and encouraged to spend at least $20 when staying at a winery, brewery, or distillery to help support the business
IS WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK DOG-FRIENDLY?
YES! This is one of THE most dog-friendly parks we’ve been to. Dogs are allowed throughout the entire park, and on every single trail. As long as they are kept leashed and picked up after. We brought Junior with us on every trail we hiked, and he absolutely LOVED it! There are some rules to keep in mind though:
- Pick up after your pet
- Keep pets on a leash
- Give pets plenty of water
- Do not bring pets inside the visitor center
- Do not leave pets unattended, especially in vehicles
- Service animals are allowed in all facilities
With how hot it can get in the park, it is critical to keep yourself and your furry friend hydrated and safe. So please adhere to these rules. Check the NPS website for more information.
THINGS TO DO IN WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
Despite being “just” a vast ocean of white sand, there are actually a number of activities one could do in White Sands. The most likely activity though, would be hiking. There are 5 different hiking trails, most of which we would consider relatively easy to moderate for anyone. Between our 2 visits, we tackled 4 out of the 5 trails (The Backcountry Camping Trail was closed), and we are confident that almost anyone can do these 4.
HIKE THE TRAILS
PLAYA TRAIL
The first trail you’ll come across is the Playa Trail. This short and easy 0.4mi/650m out and back trail, leads you to a playa, or dry lake bed. Along the trail, you’ll find easel signs with information about what this area of the park looked like millions of years ago and how it transformed in to what it is today.
- DIFFICULTY – Easy
- LENGTH – 0.4mi/650m out and back
- PET FRIENDLY – Yes
- SOFT ADVENTURE APPROVED – Yes
DUNE LIFE NATURE TRAIL
Just across the street (and walking distance) from the Playa Trail, is one of the most popular trails in White Sands, the Dune Life Nature Trail. This trail, much like the Playa Trail, is designed as an interpretive nature trail, with informational signs and exhibits along the way. These signs provide details about the park’s flora, fauna, geology, and the challenges of surviving in the unique white gypsum dune environment. It’s an excellent place to learn about the plants and animals that have adapted to the extreme conditions of the gypsum sand dunes.
- DIFFICULTY – Easy to moderate
- LENGTH – 1.0mi/1.6km loop
- PET FRIENDLY – Yes
- SOFT ADVENTURE APPROVED – Yes
INTERDUNE BOARDWALK
The Interdune Boardwalk is a short, accessible trail that provides an opportunity to walk among the dunes without leaving a significant footprint. It’s a great introduction to the park’s unique environment and offers interpretive signs explaining the flora and fauna adapted to the dunes.
- DIFFICULTY – Easy to moderate
- LENGTH – 1.0mi/1.6km loop
- PET FRIENDLY – Yes
- SOFT ADVENTURE APPROVED – Yes
ALKALI FLAT TRAIL
The Alkali Flat Trail is a more challenging and longer hike, but also the most beautiful and rewarding. While the full trail itself is just under 5.0mi/8km round trip, it is somewhat of a “choose your own adventure” type trail. It takes you into the heart of the white sand dunes, offering a more immersive experience. It’s important though to be prepared with plenty of water and proper sun protection, as the gypsum sand can reflect the sun’s rays.
We hiked about 1.0mi/1.6km out and found the dunes to be absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset.
- DIFFICULTY – Moderate to hard
- LENGTH – 4.4mi/7km loop
- PET FRIENDLY – Yes
- SOFT ADVENTURE APPROVED – Yes (but not if you do the full loop)
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING TRAIL
If you’re interested in a more adventurous experience, the park allows backcountry camping, and there are no designated campsites. Visitors can choose to camp in the dunes and are required to pack out all waste. Amongst the backcountry camping area, is a 1.8mi/2.9km looped trail that takes you in and around the dunes. This is a great way to get out in to some of the more remote areas of the dunes.
- DIFFICULTY – Moderate
- LENGTH – 1.8mi/2.9km loop
- PET FRIENDLY – Yes
- SOFT ADVENTURE APPROVED – Yes
One thing to keep in mind, this IS sand. So it will get everywhere.
PHOTOGRAPHY THE WHITE SANDS
The activity we were most excited about, was photographing the park. One might think, “How much could there be to photograph? It’s just a ton of white sand”. It’s the exact opposite. The part is actually incredibly picturesque, especially at sunset (and we imagine sunrise also, but we’ll get to that later). We’d seen White Sands National Park photos on social media and other travel blogs, and knew we HAD to photograph this park. During sunset, the sky turns an incredible blueish purple, with beautiful yellow and orange ranges peaking over the mountains off in the distance. Combine this beautiful sky, with the unique white sand everywhere and you have yourself a perfect place for some incredible sunset photography.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
In addition to these, you can also ride horses, bicycles, do backcountry camping, and you can even pick up some sleds at the visitor center and go sledding in the sand! How fun is that?!
Do you like visiting National Parks? And do you like keeping track of all of the parks you’ve been to? US TOO! This can also be one of the fun activities you do in the park. We have a scratch map from Newverest that has all of the National Parks, and you can scratch them off as you go! If you haven’t already, check out our blog post on 7 Fun Ways to Track Your Travels.
WHAT TO BRING
This really depends on what you plan on doing while in the park, but at the bare minimum, you’ll want to bring proper clothing based on the weather and time you’re visiting, good footwear if you plan to hike or camp, and plenty of water and snacks. Dogs and pets are allowed, but please make sure you follow the same health and safety measures for your furry friends. They can get heat exhaustion and dehydration just like we can, so make sure you keep them safe! If you plan to photograph the park you’ll definitely want your camera all charged up and ready, and drones are NOT allowed in the park due to military airspace regulations.
The park website also notes making sure you bring a fully charged phone in case of emergency. We’d hope this is common sense, but wanted to call it out just to be safe!
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Missile testing. That’s right, you read that correctly. Missile testing. Right next to the park is the White Sands Missile Range. And the park sometimes shuts down as a result of the missile testing that is going on nearby, so make sure you check the NPS site for shutdown info. The park website does also note that debris can fall and land in the park from time to time and to report this immediate to park rangers so they may notify the appropriate people. So there’s that.
For most part, you really just need to exercise common sense when in the park. Bring plenty of water and snacks if you plan on hiking or spending long amounts of time there. The weather can change rather drastically, so plan for wind, hot temperatures, storms etc. And lastly, being a desert you may find desert animals and insects in the park. So watch your step and be aware of your surroundings. You can view more of the safety info on the park website here.
HOW LONG SHOULD YOU SPEND AT WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK?
White Sands National Park is a perfect 1-2 day visit. If you’re adventurous and want to tackle all of the hiking trails in 1 day, it is absolutely doable. We did all but the Backcountry Camping Trail in 1 day, and had plenty of time to rest and relax in between. But if you prefer to take things slowly, 2-3 days would be perfect! But it is really up to your preferences.
IF YOU COULD ONLY DO ONE HIKE…
If you only have time to pop in to the park and do one thing, our recommendation would hands down be the Alkali Flat Trail. This will give you the absolute best views of the dunes and the park. Plan to spend an hour or two exploring and you’ll leave a happy traveler.
LEAVE NO TRACE
This park is full of unique landscapes and fragile environments, both for plant life, and animals alike. So it is incredibly important to practice the 7 Principles Of Leave No Trace. And follow the posted signage and guidelines of the park. If you aren’t familiar with Leave No Trace, here’s a breakdown:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impact
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of others
There are additional and more in-depth details of what each of these means on the LNT website, so make sure to take a look at that!
10 HIKING ESSENTIALS
Similarly, because of how harsh the weather conditions can be, and the lack of cell-phone service, it is important to hike with the 10 Essentials of Hiking. If you aren’t familiar, here’s a breakdown:
- NAVIGATION – maps, guides, compass, GPS locator
- HEADLAMP – flashlight and extra batteries or charger
- SUN PROTECTION – body sunscreen, lip sunscreen, and clothing protection
- FIRST AID – including animal and bug repellents
- KNIFE – as well as knife repair kit
- FIRE – matches, lighter, tinder and striker
- SHELTER – tent, cover, or anything to protect and cover you
- FOOD – snacks and extra meal
- WATER – more than the minimum recommended amount
- CLOTHES – enough to handle night-time elements
Interested in knowing what gear we use for all our adventures? Check out our Rock Porch lockers which list all of the gear we use, and where to shop it!
We hope this helped give you some insight, and ultimately helps you plan your own visit to White Sands National Park. If we missed anything, or you have any other recommendations, let us know below!
And if you’re looking for some other National Park inspiration, check out some of our other articles:
- 9 MUST VISIT NATIONAL PARKS FOR SOFT ADVENTURES
- 10 SOFT ADVENTURES IN GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
- 10 OF THE MOST EPIC U.S. SOFT ADVENTURES
- TOP 10 OUTDOORSY THINGS TO DO IN ARIZONA
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Thanks for stopping by!
Ryan & Katy
