White Sands protects the world's largest gypsum dune field, a sea of bright white dunes in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico. An eight-mile scenic drive runs into the heart of it, with short trails, sledding slopes and ranger-led sunset and full-moon walks.
The scenic road runs eight miles from the visitor centre into the dune field, ending in a loop where the pavement gives way to packed gypsum. Pull-offs and picnic areas line the way.
The accessible Interdune Boardwalk, the short Dune Life and Playa trails, and the strenuous five-mile Alkali Flat Trail, which is marked only by posts across open dunes.
Waxed plastic saucers, sold at the visitor centre shop, slide down the steeper dune faces. Sunset turns the sand pink and gold, and rangers run full-moon night programs.
Entry is a per-vehicle fee valid for seven days, and the America the Beautiful pass is accepted. Dunes Drive and the highway close for a few hours at a time for missile tests on the surrounding range, sometimes with little notice. There is no food, fuel or drinking water beyond the visitor centre. Check nps.gov/whsa.
The park sits inside White Sands Missile Range. Test closures of Dunes Drive are posted a week ahead on the park site and can also happen on the day.
Summer midday temperatures on the open dunes are extreme with no shade. Early morning, late afternoon and the sunset stroll are far more comfortable.
Round trip on Dunes Drive is 16 miles. Two to four hours covers the drive, a walk and sledding. There is no lodging or campground with services inside.
How much does it cost?
A per-vehicle entrance fee covers seven days. Federal annual passes such as America the Beautiful are accepted.
Why does the park close sometimes?
It shares land with an active missile range. Dunes Drive and US-70 shut for a couple of hours during tests. Closure dates are posted ahead on the park website.
Can I go sledding?
Yes. Plastic saucers and wax are sold at the visitor centre gift shop, and used ones are sometimes resold there. Sled only on dunes away from the road.
Can I stay overnight?
There is no lodge or developed campground. Backcountry camping was suspended in recent years; check the park site for the current status. Alamogordo has the nearest hotels.
White Sands National Park covers about 145,000 acres of the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico, protecting roughly 40 percent of the largest gypsum dune field on Earth. The gypsum washes down from the surrounding mountains, collects in a dry lake bed and is blown into dunes.
It was set aside as a national monument in 1933 and redesignated a national park in 2019. The park is surrounded by White Sands Missile Range, which affects access during weapons tests.
This page is an independent guide for visitors. It is not affiliated with the National Park Service.
