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White Sands National Park protects the largest gypsum dune field in the world, a sea of brilliant white sand in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico. Gypsum rarely forms dunes because it dissolves in water, but this basin has no outlet to the sea, so minerals washed from the surrounding mountains are trapped, dried and blown into waves of sand. The dunes stay cool to the touch even on hot days.
The White Sands Visitor Center, housed in a historic adobe building, is the place to orient and pick up a plastic sled for the dunes. Dunes Drive leads deeper into the field, with pullouts for short walks. The Playa Trail and the Dune Life Nature Trail introduce the plants and animals adapted to this setting, and the Interdune Boardwalk is accessible and easy. The Alkali Flat Trail is a more demanding loop marked by posts across open dunes, where navigation and plenty of water are essential. Families sled down the slopes near the picnic areas, and ranger programs at sunset and during full moons are popular.
The park is surrounded by a military missile range, and Dunes Drive occasionally closes briefly for testing. Alamogordo is the nearest town and home to the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Backcountry camping and the Lake Lucero ranger tour offer deeper experiences.
WiserMap travel guideWhite Sands National Park New Mexico Gypsum Dune SleddingPlan a trip to White Sands National Park: Dunes Drive, the Interdune Boardwalk, Alkali Flat Trail, dune sledding, sunset walks and nearby Alamogordo sights.Read the guide
Pueblo Revival style building at the park entrance off US 70, with exhibits about how the gypsum dunes formed, a short film, ranger information and a gift shop selling plastic sleds and wax. Check here for missile range closures, as the road can close during testing. Fill water bottles before heading out.
Museum in Alamogordo, about 15 miles east of the park, in a gold-glass building on a hillside, covering rockets, space exploration and the region's role in testing. It includes the International Space Hall of Fame, an outdoor rocket park and a planetarium theater. Combine it with a visit to the dunes.
Scenic road of about eight miles each way from the visitor center into the heart of the dunes, paved at first and then hard-packed gypsum. It leads to trailheads, picnic shelters and parking areas where you can walk freely on the sand. Drive slowly, as the white surface can be slick after rain.
Two short trails along Dunes Drive. The flat Playa Trail visits a dry lakebed where water collects after rain, and the Dune Life Nature Trail is a one-mile loop with signs about animals such as kit foxes and lizards. Both are good for families. Follow the trail markers, as tracks blow away quickly.
Challenging five-mile loop marked by posts across the open dunes to the edge of the Alkali Flat, the dry bed of ancient Lake Otero. There is no shade or water, and it is easy to get lost. Carry plenty of water, check the weather, avoid hot afternoons and turn back if you can't see the next marker.
Short marked trail of about two miles round trip into the dunes, leading to a limited number of backcountry campsites that require a permit. Even without camping, it is a quieter walk through rolling white dunes away from the crowds. Get permits at the visitor center early in the day, as they are limited.
Accessible raised boardwalk of about 0.4 miles through the fragile area between dunes, with signs about plants such as soaptree yucca that grow taller to escape burial by sand. It ends at a viewpoint with views of dunes and the San Andres Mountains. It suits all ages and is great at golden hour.
Ranger-led tour, offered monthly in the cooler season, to Lake Lucero, a dry lakebed in the far southwest of the park where the gypsum that forms the dunes comes from, with selenite crystals on the ground. Access is by car caravan across the missile range. Reservations are required and fill quickly.
Near the end of Dunes Drive, steep dunes are perfect for sledding on plastic saucers rubbed with wax, a favorite activity for all ages. Shaded picnic shelters with grills sit among the dunes. Buy sleds at the visitor center gift shop, and choose dunes with flat run-outs away from the road.
Rangers lead sunset strolls through the dunes most evenings, explaining the plants and animals, and on some full moon nights the park hosts special programs with music or talks. The white sand glows at dusk and under moonlight. Check the program calendar, and note the park closing time for cars.
Federal site north of Tularosa with more than 21,000 petroglyphs carved by the Jornada Mogollon people, showing animals, masks and geometric designs on a rocky ridge. A rough trail of about a mile runs along the ridge with views of the Tularosa Basin. Bring water and sun protection.
State park at the base of the Sacramento Mountains south of Alamogordo, with a campground, a restored ranch house of rancher Oliver Lee and the Dog Canyon Trail, which climbs steeply into the canyon. The short riparian walk visits a spring. It is a good camping alternative near White Sands.
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