White Sands National Park

white sands national park

The world’s largest gypsum sand dune area, spanning approximately 275 square miles, is found in White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico. The immense gypsum dunes, stunning landscapes, and the stark contrast between the blue skies and white sands are what make White Sands so remarkable. Its minimal light pollution also makes it a perfect place to watch sunsets and the night sky.

BASIC FACTS ON WHITE SANDS

LOCATION: Southern New Mexico, near Alamogordo, NM

SIZE: Approximately 145,762 acres

FOUNDED: December 20, 2019.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: November to March

HOW MANY DAYS: 1-2 DAYS

ROAD TRIP SUGGESTION: New Mexico Road Trip

NOTE: Reservations might be required to enter the park during peak seasons and you might need additional info about the park in order to have a smooth travel. Please VISIT HERE for latest information about the park.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE

GO DUNE SLEDDING. Sledding down the sand dunes is one of the most well-liked activities at it! The visitor center sells sleds, or you can bring your own (usually a circular plastic one). To increase speed on the gypsum sand, wax the underside of the sled.

TAKE RANGER-GUIDED HIKE e.i. SUNSET STROLL. Go and learn about the park’s distinctive geology, vegetation, and fauna by taking a sunset hike guided by a ranger. The tour is the perfect way to explore while taking in breathtaking sunset views over the dunes, which create an ethereal ambiance with their color and shadows.

GO FOR SCENIC DRIVE ON DUNES DRIVE. A loop of 8 miles (16 miles round-trip) takes approximately 45 to 1 hour to drive without pauses. However you should allow extra time for exploration at Interdune Boardwalk (Mile 2), Dune Life Nature Trail (Mile 2.5), Playa Trail (near Mile 4), Backcountry Camping Area (Mile 7) and Alkali Flat Trail (end of the drive Mile 8). After a few paved miles, the road switches to a hard-packed gypsum surface that is generally safe for all types of vehicles. However, please check with the visitor center as circumstances can change after rain. The park is open all year round, though it can close for a while if the nearby White Sands Missile Range conducts missile launches.

CHECK OUT THE VISITOR CENTER. The visitor center, which features educational exhibits on the park’s history, geology, and animals, was constructed in the Pueblo Revival style of the 1930s. It’s a fantastic place to start if you want to learn more about the ecology of gypsum dunes, use the restroom, shop in the gift store, discuss park concerns with a park ranger, get some food, and buy a sled.

HIKE THE TRAILS. (Favorite trails listed from Easy to Strenuous Difficulty).

InterduneBoardwalk (Distance: 0.4 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy | Total Ascent: Minimal | Time: 15 to 30 minutes): The whole trail is a raised boardwalk that ends at a vantage point overlooking the dunefield and the distant Sacramento Mountains. Similar to the Dune Life Nature Trail, there are a few markers along this trail that provide information on the flora you will encounter.
Dune Life Nature Trail (Distance: 1 mile loop | Difficulty: Easy | Total Ascent: 120 feet | Time: 30 to 60 minutes): A one-mile loop highlighting desert plant and animal life.
Backcountry Camping Trail (Distance: 1.75 mile loop | Difficulty: Easy to moderate | Total Ascent: 200 feet | Time: 1 hour):
Alkali Flat Trail (Distance: 5 mile loop | Total Ascent: 700 feet | Difficulty: Strenuous | Time: 2 to 3 hours): A 5-mile round-trip hike to the heart of the dune field with expansive views (watch for markers to stay on course, as it can be disorienting).

GO PHOTOGRAPH THE DUNES. The dunes of white sand provide striking photographic settings. Because of the softer lighting and less people, sunrise and sunset are the best times of day for pictures. The gypsum terrain is dotted with vivid colors at sunset, while the early morning brings long shadows and cool temperatures.

GO STARGAZING AND NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY. White Sands is ideal for night photography and stargazing because of the low levels of light pollution. For a better nighttime experience, schedule your trip around a new moon or look for special events like ranger-led full moon hikes.

TOP EXPERIENCE

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING (PERMIT REQUIRED). Backcountry camping is an experience, which we haven’t tried yet, for a memorable evening at White Sands. For a genuine desert wilderness experience, there are 10 (first come, first serve) approved backcountry camping locations indicated with a wooden post with the campsite number on it, spread out over a 2-mile loop along the Backcountry Camping Trail. In addition to packing everything you will need, campers should be ready for drastic weather changes and navigating without clear route signs after dark. Please Check Here for Permits and Availability