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National park · Alamogordo, New Mexico
White Sands National Park
The world’s largest gypsum dune field, with fine white sand in the Tularosa Basin near Alamogordo. It has a road through the dunes, trails, and areas for sandboarding.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About White Sands National Park
White Sands protects part of a gypsiferous dune field of about 700 km², the largest in the world of that mineral. Gypsum dissolves in water from the surrounding mountains, accumulates in a dry lake in the Tularosa Basin and, when the water evaporates, forms crystals that the wind breaks into fine white grains. For that reason, the sand does not heat up like that of other dunes.
The Dunes Drive, a roughly 13 km road, leaves the visitor center and enters the dune field, with the last stretch over compacted sand. Along it are parking areas, picnic spots and trails: the Interdune Boardwalk, short and accessible, the roughly 1.6 km Dune Life Nature Trail, and the Alkali Flat Trail, about 8 km, marked by posts across the dunes. Sledding down the dunes is one of the most popular activities; the visitor center sells sleds.
The park is surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range, a U.S. Army testing area. During some tests, Dunes Drive and US-70 close for a few hours. Nearby, in 1945, the first atomic bomb was tested at a site that lies within the military area.
The park closes at night except for special programs, and in summer the midday heat is intense, even though the sand stays cool.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a day.
Best time
In the late afternoon and at sunset, when the low light accentuates the ridges. In summer, avoid the central hours of the day.
How to get there
The visitor center is on US-70, about 25 km southwest of Alamogordo and about an hour from Las Cruces.
Tip
Check the military-closure page the day before. Mark where you parked on your phone before entering the dunes: they all look the same.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about White Sands National Park
Can you sled down the White Sands dunes?
Yes, in several areas along Dunes Drive. The visitor center sells sleds, and the highest dunes are near the end of the road.
Why does White Sands sometimes close?
The park is surrounded by a military missile-testing area, and some tests require closing Dunes Drive and US-70 for a few hours. Check the park’s closure page.
Does the sand at White Sands get hot?
Not much, because gypsum reflects light and retains moisture. Still, the air at midday in summer is very hot; bring water and sun protection.