White Sands National Park

Sunset

Sunsets are one of the most popular times to visit White Sands. Visitors can experience sunset every day of the year.

Picnic Table, Fire ring, and Bear box

Campsite amenities include: Picnic table, fire ring, and bear box

White Sands National Monument

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.

Aerial of Dunefield

The dunes at White Sands cover 275 square miles of the Tularosa Basin.

Ripples

The wind shapes and moves the dunes as a whole but gives each individual dune the texture of ripples.

Fall Colors

Fall is a wonderful time to visit as most of our plants with leaves change beautiful colors.

Shaded Dunes

As the sun changes its angle through the sky it allows shadow to roll across the dunes.

Picnic Table, Fire ring, and Bear box

Campsite amenities include: Picnic table, fire ring, and bear box

Driveway

Picnic Table, Fire ring, and Bear box

RecAreaDirections

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.

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Misc

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Permits info

Facilities

Backcountry Camping Facility

Due to rehabilitation of camping sites, backcountry camping is closed.

White Sands National Park Tours Ticket Facility

Overview:

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 Monument preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.

You're about to become part of an amazing legacy that stretches back in time over more than 10,000 years. Seemingly stark and barren, the 275 square miles of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes are home to an amazing diversity of life, weaving a spell over all who visit. The dunes offer countless opportunities for discovery and it is our sincere hope that you will have fun, make lifelong memories, and develop a deep connection to a place that has provided spiritual and physical sustenance to humankind for thousands of years.

2018 White Sands National Monument Events

Lake Lucero Tours
2 pm Saturday, January 27
2 pm Sunday, February 25
9 am Saturday, March 24
9 am Sunday, April 29
10 am Saturday, Nov 24
10 am Saturday, Dec 29

Sunrise Arts
6:00 am Saturday, March 17
6:00 am Saturday, October 20

Full Moon Hikes
7:45 pm Monday, May 28
8:00 pm Wednesday, June 27
8:00 pm Thursday, July 26
7:30 pm Saturday, Aug 25
6:45 pm Sunday, Sept 23
6:00 pm Tuesday, Oct 23

Step through Time
10:00 am Saturday, November 3

Summary of Fees - White Sands National Monument Tours

White Sands Visitor Center Facility

The visitor center was built in 1936 and is part of the historic district at White Sands. Inside you will find the park store as well as the museum for the park.

Recreation Areas and Campground Database