At a glance
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: Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Biking · Road Biking · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Food · Picnicking · Guided Tours · Hiking · Junior Ranger Program
ParkAtlas, maintained by Stellaroos, combines its park and trail dataset with public information from the National Park Service. NPS data snapshot retrieved . Fees, access, and conditions can change; verify current details with NPS before traveling.
Popular trails
Curated routes with approximate round-trip distance. Tap one to log it in the app.In the app, tap one to log it.
Camping
Backcountry and primitive camping are available. Check NPS.gov for permits and current conditions.
Best time to visit
Peak season: October – March. The park is open year-round, though some roads and facilities close or run reduced hours in winter.
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.
Pack for White Sands
Four things worth having for desert heat and long exposed miles. From the full gear list; links support ParkAtlas.
Outdoor Research Echo sun hoodie
Sun protection without the sunscreen-on-your-arms routine. Dries in minutes.
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LMNT electrolytes
Water alone isn't enough on a hot day. One packet per bottle.
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Sun Bum sunscreen
High elevation sun is not the sun you're used to. Reapply at lunch.
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YETI Rambler bottle
Ice at the trailhead is still ice back at the car.
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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.$25
- 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.$15
- Entrance - Motorcycle — Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.$20
- 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).$50
- 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).$60
Annual Entrance - Park: $45. An America the Beautiful pass ($80/yr) covers every national park.
Getting there
Nearest city: Las Cruces, NM. Park center: 32.780°, -106.170°.
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.
Coming from a big city? See every park near Albuquerque or Tucson.
Common questions
How much does it cost to visit White Sands National Park?
Entrance - Private Vehicle: $25. Entrance - Per Person: $15. Entrance - Motorcycle: $20.
When is the best time to visit White Sands?
Peak season is October – March. The park is open year-round, with some roads and facilities on reduced winter schedules. 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.
Can you camp in White Sands National Park?
Yes — backcountry and primitive camping with a permit.
What is the closest city to White Sands National Park?
Las Cruces, NM is the nearest major city. 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.
What are the best hikes in White Sands?
Popular trails include Alkali Flat Trail (5.0 mi), Backcountry Camping Loop (8.0 mi), Playa Trail (2.5 mi), Interdune Boardwalk (0.5 mi). The park has roughly 6 named trails.
Plan your trip
The practical bits, so more of the weekend goes to the trail.