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Before you go
Your trip to Alamogordo.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Alamogordo – New Mexico Destination Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands (Carlsbad; Alamogordo) about 350 km from Santa Fe
How to get there
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El Paso International Airport (ELP) El Paso · 140 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
About a one-and-a-half-hour drive from El Paso airport, Texas, and about an hour from Las Cruces. From Carlsbad it’s about three and a half hours via the Sacramento Mountains.
How many days
One day allows time for White Sands and the space museum. With an overnight stay you can watch the sunset on the dunes and return early the next morning.
When to go
From October to April days are usually mild; summer is very hot on the dunes, with storms from July to September. Spring can bring strong winds that lift the sand.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes. The dunes and the museum are outside the town center and there is no public transport to the park.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Alamogordo
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Morning
Museum of Space History
Visit the New Mexico Museum of Space History, up on the hill, with its space hall of fame and an outdoor rocket park.
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Afternoon
White Sands
Head to White Sands, drive the Dunes Drive, walk the boardwalk and a trail through the dunes, and stay for the sunset.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Is Alamogordo a good base for White Sands?
It’s the closest town, about 25 km from the visitor center, with lodging and restaurants. Las Cruces, about an hour away, is another option.
What time zone is Alamogordo in?
Mountain Time: UTC-7 in winter and UTC-6 in daylight saving time, from March to November.
Does the road to White Sands ever close?
Sometimes. US-70, between Alamogordo and Las Cruces, and the road into the dunes can close for a few hours during military tests in the surrounding missile area. Check the park’s closure page the day before.
What other trips can you do near Alamogordo?
Drive up the Sacramento Mountains to Cloudcroft, a village at about 2,600 meters, and visit the space museum. Day trips to the north include lava fields and archaeological sites.