National Park
White Sands National Park
- Southwest
- 5 hikes
- 5 places to see
- 5 current alerts
Current alerts
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Closure
Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.
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Notice
Backcountry Camping Closed
Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
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Notice
Interdune Boardwalk Closed
Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.
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Notice
From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.
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Notice
RV and Tractor Trailer Parking at the Visitor Center
There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.
From the National Park Service, as of October 28, 2026, 5:14 pm. Check nps.gov before you go.
Latest news
- White Sands National Park seeks to contact visitor who handled dead bat
- White Sands National Park to Host Navajo Rug Show April 25-26
- White Sands National Park to Host Native American Flautist for September Full Moon Night Event
- White Sands National Park to Host Blues Duo Concert for July Full Moon Night Event
About White Sands
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.
From the National Park Service.
- Region
- Southwest
- State
- New Mexico
- Designation
- National Park
- Entrance fee
- $25, private vehicle
- Hikes on this page
- 5
- Places to see
- 5
- Articles
- 2
Know before you go
Fees, hours, weather and getting to White Sands.
Entrance fees
- $25 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.
- $15 Per Person
- $20 Motorcycle
Passes
- $45 Annual Entrance - Park
Hours
Standard Park Hours
- Mon
- 7:00AM - Sunset
- Tue
- 7:00AM - Sunset
- Wed
- 7:00AM - Sunset
- Thu
- 7:00AM - Sunset
- Fri
- 7:00AM - Sunset
- Sat
- 7:00AM - Sunset
- Sun
- 7:00AM - Sunset
The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm
Weather and when to go
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.
Getting there
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.
- Gateway towns
- Alamogordo, NM · Las Cruces, NM
- Nearest airports
- El Paso International Airport (ELP)
Contact the park
- Address
- 19955 Hwy 70 W, Alamogordo, NM 88310
- Phone
- (575) 479-6124
- Official site
- nps.gov/whsa
From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.
Trip planner
A day-by-day plan for White Sands
Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.
The trails and places you save below go into your plan as must-sees.
Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.
Where to stay for White Sands
The gateway towns, closest first. Add your dates in the planner to search for your own nights.
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Alamogordo, NM Closest
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Las Cruces, NM
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Guided tours and trips
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Things to do in White Sands
The park service's own list, with how long each takes.
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Sledding at the Roadrunner Picnic Area
The Roadrunner Picnic area is an excellent place to go sledding with friends and family at White Sands National Park.
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Hiking the Ice Age Trail
This level, family-friendly trail interprets the Ice Age history of the Tularosa Basin
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Hiking Interdune Boardwalk
The Interdune Boardwalk is an elevated boardwalk that leads you through the fragile interdune area to a scenic view of the dune field and the Sacramento mountains.
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Hiking Alkali Flat Trail
Imagine yourself surrounded by the spectacular views of endless dunes with few footprints. The Alkali Flat Trail takes you through the heart of the sands, up and over steep dunes…
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Hiking Dune Life Nature Trail
The Dune Life Nature Trail is full of life! This family-friendly, one mile (1.6 km) loop trail is a great way to explore White Sands.
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Hiking Backcountry Camping Trail
Are you looking for expansive views of snow-white gypsum dunes for miles? Hiking the Backcountry Camping Trail provides a sense of the magnitude of the world's largest gypsum dune…
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Sledding at the Alkali Flat Trailhead
The Alkali Flat trailhead parking area has some of the tallest dunes to go sledding at White Sands.
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Picnicking at White Sands
White Sands National Park offers three picnic areas where people can enjoy shade, relaxation, and access to the parks incredible dunes.
Places to see
History & culture
Campgrounds in White Sands
Run by the park service. Reservable sites book on Recreation.gov; first-come sites do not.
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Backcountry Camping
Due to rehabilitation of camping sites, backcountry camping is closed.
Reading about White Sands
What to pack for White Sands
Gear & Essentials
Tell us about your trip and we will add what else you will want:
The basics
Worth having in the car whatever the park.
For this trip
Traveling with kids
Bringing a pet
RVing
Backcountry
Winter conditions
On the water
Photography
Accessibility
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