This was a fun day! White Sands National Park has been on my to-do list for quite some time, so I was happy to finally visit. The weather was absolutely perfect at 80 degrees with a little cloudy overcast. I arrived at 9am before the park was super busy and crowded, which helped capture amazing pictures of the sands. White Sands National Park provides an array of outdoor experiences. Horse back riding, cycling, hiking, sledding, and of course taking the 8-mile drive into the heart of gypsum dune field. The drive takes approximately 45 minutes and is a 16-mile round trip. The first four miles of Dunes Drive are paved and the last four miles are a hard-packed, gypsum road. The road is suitable for cars, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and buses. Along the road, you will find wayside exhibits, hiking trails, picnic areas, vault toilets, and parking areas. Occasionally the road into the park is closed due to missile testing or weather conditions. So be sure to check for park closures before visiting.
Gates are open from 7AM - 9PM, however it does change by seasons.
Park Entrance
Vehicle - $25
Person - $15.00
Motorcycle - $20
Hiking the Gypsum Dunefield
White Sands has five trails, Interdune Boardwalk, Playa Trail, Dune Life Nature Trail, Backcountry Camping Trail, and Alkali Flat Trail.
Interdune Boardwalk, is an easy 0.4 mile, round trip stoll and is accesible for people using wheelchairs and strollers.
Playa Trail, is a 0.5 mile round trip that leads to a small playa and the average completion time is 30 minutes.
Dune Life Nature, is a 1 mile self-guided trip where you see most of the wildlife in White Sands. Kit foxes, badgers, birds, rodents, and reptiles all live in this area.
Backcountry Camping Trail, is a 2 mile round trip and the average completion time is 1.5 hours.
Alkali Flat Trail, is a strenuous 5 mile round trip hike. This trail is up and down steep dunes in loose sand and the trail skirts the edge of what is now the final remnant of Lake Otero.
What To Expect:
Weather Conditions:
February through May is windy season. Winds tend to move in quickly, reducing visibility and increasing the chances of being disoriented.
Summer is the hottest time of year. The temperatures at White Sand in the summer months often exceed 100F.
June through September is monsoon season. Thunderstorms are common, and you may encounter lightning without rain.
November through February is the coldest time of year and overnight temperatures are often below freezing.
Bring Water: Pack at least one gallon of drinking water per person. Water bottles can be filled at the White Sands Visitor Center, but there is no water out in the dunes.
Sun Protection: Even in cooler temperatures, the sun reflecting off of the gypsum sand can cause severe sunburns. Wear a hat or scarf to keep the sun off of your face.
Snacks: If you plan to make a day of White Sands, back a lunch or snacks. The closest town is 20 mins away.
Easy-to-carry, high-energy, salty snacks include:
Dried fruit
Nuts
Trail mix
Energy bars
Crackers
Pretzels
Full Take of Gas: The White Sands Visitor Center does not sell gas, and the nearest gas station is about 15 miles away near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The park itself is 16 miles round trip.
Don't forget to grab a park map!
Backcountry camping
Backcountry camping is available in White Sands National Park and the camping fee is $3.00 per person age 16 and older and $1.50 for anyone age 15 and under. The backcountry camping sites do not have any shade or amenities (i.e., water, restrooms, tables, and chairs). The nearest vault toilet is at the trailhead approximately one mile away from each site. Once you leave the visitor center, water is not available anywhere in the dunefield. The biggest tip is to make sure you are at your campsite before dark.
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