White Sands National Park is one of the most surreal and stunning places in the United States with wave-like dunes. Located in southern New Mexico, this natural wonder is home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world! It honestly looks like snow, but it’s a warm and powdery sand!
Originally established as a national monument in 1933 by President Herbert Hoover, it officially became the 62nd National Park in December 2019, thanks to President Donald Trump. Since then, it has become a must see destination for road trippers, photographers, families and outdoor lovers alike.
⚠️ Important note: The park is located between active military bases and missile tests may cause temporary closures of the main road (US-70). Always check the official park website or Facebook page for current conditions before you go!
Basic Visitor Info
🎟️ Entrance Fees (valid for 7 days)
- Vehicle: $25 | Motorcycle: $20 | Individual (walk/bike): $15
- White Sands Annual Pass: $45
- America the Beautiful Pass: $80 (Annual)
🕒 Park Hours
- Open daily year-round except Christmas Day (December 25).
- Gates open at 7 a.m.; closing time varies by season so always check online before visiting
🐶 Pets
Dogs are allowed and welcome! Just keep them leashed (6ft / 2 meters max), bring lots of water and never leave them in a hot car. They’re not allowed inside the Visitor Center.
🏛️ Visitor Center
The White Sands Visitor Center (built in 1936) is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. You will find restrooms, museum style exhibits, park info & maps, gift shop with sleds and souvenirs and National Park Passport stamps.
⚠️ Safety Reminders
- Missile debris can get buried in the sand so if you see something odd, don’t touch it
- Drones and metal detectors are prohibited
- Don’t take sand home! It’s illegal and can result in a fine up to $5,000 or 6 months in jail!
How to Get to White Sands National Park
🚗 By Car
The easiest way to reach White Sands is by car since no public transportation is available. The park is located about 15 miles from Alamogordo, NM, 52 miles from Las Cruces, NM, and 98 miles from El Paso, TX. Car rentals are available in all three cities.
💡 Heads up: There’s a U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint on US-70. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, carry your immigration documents just in case because they stop every car.
✈️ By Plane
The closest major airport is El Paso International Airport (ELP), which is about 92 miles from the park. There’s also a small regional airport in Alamogordo, about 13 miles from the park.
Best Things to Do at White Sands National Park
🛻 Drive the Dunes Drive
Take the Dunes Drive, a 16-mile round-trip scenic drive that cuts straight into the gypsum wonderland. It takes about 45 minutes but I recommend you taking at least 1-2 hours to explore the dunes, go sledding, take some photos and truly enjoy the views.
- First few miles are paved then it becomes a hard-packed gypsum sand road (still suitable for most vehicles). The speed limit varies from 45 mph to 15 mph. You can read more about driving the Dunes Drive here. Watch for people sledding and crossing the road and maybe join them!
🛷 Go Sledding!
Yes, like snow sledding… but on sand! Bring your own sled or buy one at the Visitor Center ($19.99 new / $15 used) and get some sled wax ($1.99) for better speed.
🥾 Go for a Hike
There are five hiking trails, each with different views and difficulty levels:
- Interdune Boardwalk – This trail is an elevated boardwalk that leads you through the fragile interdune area to a scenic view of the dune field and the Sacramento mountains. 15-30 Minutes.
- Playa Trail – This short, level, family-friendly trail leads to a small playa. 15-30 Minutes.
- Dune Life Nature Trail – This family-friendly, one mile (1.6 km) loop trail is a great way to explore White Sands. 45-60 Minutes.
- Backcountry Camping Trail – This trail provides a sense of the magnitude of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. 2-3 Hours.
- Alkali Flat Trail – This trail takes you through the heart of the sands, up and over steep dunes to the edge of Alkali Flat. 3-5 Hours.
📸 Take Stunning Photos
The white dunes are a photographer’s dream! Go during golden hour for incredible light and wear colorful clothing to pop against the sand. Don’t forget your tripod if you want wide landscape shots or sunset silhouettes
🧺 Picnicking
There are 62 shaded picnic tables in three areas: Yucca, Roadrunner, and Primrose. They are first-come, first-served and each has an elevated grill.
- TIP: Use colorful plates and cups (white and clear plastic get lost in the sand!)
🚴♀️ Bicycling
You can bike the Dunes Drive! Just be mindful of soft sand patches. Read safety tips here.
🐎 Horseback Riding
Yes, you can bring your horse! Just get a day use permit at the entrance station. Info here.
Where to Stay
🏕️ Backcountry Camping
You can go backcountry camping in the glistening gypsum dunes and enjoy the spectacular star-studded night sky with very little light pollution from the surrounding cities. Permits are issued at the park, the day of camping only.
🏨 Hotels
The closest town to the park is Alamogordo NM located about 15 miles from the park entrance and we stayed there at a chain hotel with free parking and free breakfast. You can also stay in Las Cruces (about 50 miles from the park) or El Paso (about 98 miles from the park).
🚐 Campgrounds & RV Parks
The closest campgrounds are Oliver Lee State Park, about 24 miles southeast and Aguirre Springs Recreation Area, about 39 miles southwest.
Nearby Attractions
If you’re already in the area, consider checking out:
- 🪐 New Mexico Museum of Space History + IMAX (Alamogordo)
- 🚀 White Sands Missile Range Museum (check access policies)
Got more time?
Add another National Park to your road trip:
- 🦇 Carlsbad Caverns National Park – 190 miles (3.5 hrs)
- 🏔️ Guadalupe Mountains National Park – 200 miles (3 hrs)
- 🌵 Saguaro National Park (if heading to Arizona) – worth it for desert cactus vibes!
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