The Best Things To Do in White Sands National Park

A trip to New Mexico isn’t complete without visiting White Sands National Park! It will take your breath away as you walk on this perfect white sand in the middle of no where!

Below I’m going to describe what its like visiting White Sands National Park, the best things to do in White Sands NM, and so much more!

About White Sands National Park

The White Sands National Park is comprised of gypsum dunes that were created millions of years ago the the sea retreated. This left behind the worlds largest gypsum dunes at over 275 square miles.

The area was designated a National Monument in 1933, and later became an official National Park on December 20th, 2019 thanks to President Trump! White Sands is now the 62nd National Park in the USA!

Since it is now part of the National Park Service, you may visit for free with a NPS pass, or pay the entry fee per car ($25/entry).

Where is White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is located in the most southern part of New Mexico. It is truly in a remote area along the New Mexico Highway 70.

The closest cities to White Sands National Park are Alamogordo (16 miles) and Las Cruces (52 miles).

If you’re traveling from Albuquerque, the drive is about 3 and a half hours (over 4 with stops along the way).

best things to do in white sands nm national park

How to Get to White Sands National Park

The White Sands National Park is in a very remote location, far from large cities. This means you’ll have to take a road trip to access the White Sands, but it is well worth it!

From El Paso, Texas: 1 Hour & 28 Minutes // 95 Miles
From ABQ, New Mexico: 3 Hours & 30 Minutes // 224 Miles
From Santa Fe New Mexico: 3 Hours & 50 Minutes // 232 Miles

I personally drove from ABQ down to White Sands, and made many fun pitstops along the way.
On the way home, I drove back to Santa Fe on an alternative route. It certainly made for a long day, but was doable for a day trip!

Tips for Visiting White Sands National Park

It is important to prepare for your trip to the White Sands National Park – more so than other NPS because it is so remote! Check out my Top 6 Tips for Visiting White Sands National Park to ensure you have the best experience!

1. It’s hot! Bring lots of water, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc!
2. Fill up on gas in Las Cruces or Alamogordo – that will be your last chance!
3. Check the road closures – the National Park is near the missile range, and the only road accessing the park is occasionally closed by the government
4. Pack a picnic!
5. Don’t get lost when exploring! Be aware of where you walk on the dunes, because they all look the same!
6. It is close to the USA/Mexico border, you may have to go through a customs checkpoint (we did!)

Things to do in White Sands NM

There are many things to do in White Sands New Mexico so plan to spend at least half a day at the park! I’ve listed the Best Things To Do in White Sands National Park below —

1. Explore the Visitors Center
Immediately upon entering the park, you’ll see the White Sands National Park Visitors Center, which is in a historic adobe building. This adobe building was part of The Great Depression job creation. The visitors center offers exhibits, a 17-minute documentary ‘A Land in Motion’, about the White Sands environment, plants and animals, and a gift shop.
NOTE: You can buy sleds in the visitors center!

2. Walk along the Interdune Boardwalk

The boardwalk is called the Interdune Boardwalk and is located in the heart of the park, close to the visitor center. It is a raised wooden walkway that is 0.4 miles (0.6 km) long and leads visitors through the heart of the dunes, between two of the park’s tallest dunes.

The boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and is open to visitors of all ages and abilities. It provides an up-close and personal experience of the dunes, allowing visitors to experience the unique environment and the plant and animal life that live in the sand.

As visitors walk along the boardwalk, they will see the beautiful white gypsum sand that the park is famous for, as well as the shadows and textures of the dunes that change with the light and the wind.

3. Drive along Dunes Drive
This 8-mile road is the only road in the park, and it will take you through all of the scenic viewpoints. The full loop (16-miles round trip) takes over an hour because some of the road isn’t paved and instead you’ll find yourself driving on the sand! All cars can do this drive, but you must drive slowly.
There are frequent pull offs and parking options along the Dunes Drive, so you can decide where you want to stop for pictures or sledding!

4. Go Sledding on the Dunes
Sledding down the white sand dunes is the number one activity here! You can bring your own sled, or purchase one at the Visitors Center. Be sure to also purchase wax – you can rub this on the bottom of the sled to make it go faster! Find a dune that is TALL, hike to the top, and slide on down! It’s a great way to spend the afternoon!

5. Hike on the Dunes (with or without a ranger)
You can walk anywhere on the sand dunes, but some are marked with specific trails to hike along!
Like many National Parks, the White Sands NPS offers ranger-led hikes throughout the day. They’re mostly free, and provide so much info on the sand dunes around you!

Otherwise, the below options are great for hiking in White Sands National Park!

Playa Trail (0.5 miles, easy)
Dune Life Nature Trail (1.0 miles, easy)
Alkali Flat Trail (5 miles, strenuous) — best hike in White Sands National Park
Backcountry Camping Trail (2 miles, moderate)

6. Watch the Sunset!
Try to plan your trip to the White Sands NPS that will allow you to see the sunset! This can be challenging if you’re not staying in Las Cruces or Alamogordo, since it is relatively far from all other cities – but it is well worth it! The views of the sunsetting over the miles and miles of dunes is just breathtaking and a once in a lifetime experience.

The park will feel the most crowded near sunset as many others will linger around waiting for this magical moment!

Things to do near White Sands NM

You might be surprised to see this section of the blog post. Perhaps you’re thinking “wait, I thought the White Sands were really remote and far from other activities”! – correct. But if you’re making the trip all the way down here, you might as well see what’s relatively close by!

White Sands Missile Range Museum and Missile Park
New Mexico Museum of Space History and IMAX Theater
Pistachioland

There you have it – my full guide to visiting White Sands National Park including the best things to do in White Sands NM! Let me know what you think in the comments and share your favorite things to do in White Sands National Park!