Entrance Fee
$25.00
/ Entrance - Private Vehicle
Park Hours (Today)
7:00AM - Sunset
White Sands Visitor Center: 9:00AM - 5:00PM
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About the Park
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.
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What to See & Do
Sledding at the Roadrunner Picnic Area
The Roadrunner Picnic area is an excellent place to go sledding with friends and family at White Sands National Park.
Hiking the Ice Age Trail
This level, family-friendly trail interprets the Ice Age history of the Tularosa Basin
Hiking Interdune Boardwalk
The Interdune Boardwalk is an elevated boardwalk that leads you through the fragile interdune area to a scenic view of the dune field and the Sacramento mountains.
Hiking Alkali Flat Trail
Imagine yourself surrounded by the spectacular views of endless dunes with few footprints. The Alkali Flat Trail takes you through the heart of the sands, up and over steep dunes to the edge of Alkali Flat.
Hiking Dune Life Nature Trail
The Dune Life Nature Trail is full of life! This family-friendly, one mile (1.6 km) loop trail is a great way to explore White Sands.
Hiking Backcountry Camping Trail
Are you looking for expansive views of snow-white gypsum dunes for miles? Hiking the Backcountry Camping Trail provides a sense of the magnitude of the world's largest gypsum dunefield.
Self-Guided Tours
Mystery of the Dunes
This self-guided interpretive tour takes you on a sensory experience of the Dune Life Nature trail.
Moth Walk
To celebrate National Moth Week, join us on this accessible self-guided tour down the Interdune Boardwalk.
Automobile Tour of Dunes Drive
This self-guided interpretive tour takes you on a driving tour of Dunes Drive, the scenic 8-mile park road that winds through the dunes. Along the way, stops will explore what makes White Sands National Park unique as a natural wonder and a place that has drawn humans for thousands of years.
Visitor Centers
White Sands Visitor Center
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. Make sure you check out the wayside in the visitor center courtyard to learn about the unique construction style that makes the visitor center an incredible example of the "Spanish Revival" architectural design.
Where to Stay
Backcountry Camping
Due to rehabilitation of camping sites, backcountry camping is closed.
Getting Here & Transit
How to Get Here
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.
Park Amenities
Permits & Reservations
Permits may be required
Some activities in White Sands National Park — including backcountry camping, certain trails, and climbing routes — require advance permits. Check the official NPS website for current requirements before your visit.
Entrance Fees & Passes
Standard Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
$25.00Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
Entrance - Per Person
$15.00Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who enter the park by walking and bicycling. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
Entrance - Motorcycle
$20.00Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Commercial Entrance - Van
$50.00Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
$60.00Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
$150.00Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
Annual & Lifetime Passes
Annual Entrance - Park
$45.00This pass admits the pass holder and three persons (16 years and older) in a private non-commercial vehicle into the park for free for a period of one year from month of purchase. It can only be purchased at the entrance station to White Sands National Park. This pass does not apply to special use fees, such as camping and interpretive program fees.
Operating Hours
Standard Park Hours
The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm
- Monday7:00AM - Sunset
- Tuesday7:00AM - Sunset
- Wednesday7:00AM - Sunset
- Thursday7:00AM - Sunset
- Friday7:00AM - Sunset
- Saturday7:00AM - Sunset
- Sunday7:00AM - Sunset
Photos
Aerial of white sand dunes.
Close up view of ripples on a dune.
Cottonwood trees with orange leaves.
Grey shadows on dunes.
When to Go
Crowd CalendarPlan your trip around peak seasons to avoid crowds or embrace the energy of the busy months. Our crowd predictions are based on historical NPS Visitor Use Statistics.
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Best Time
Year-round
Trip Length
2-4 days
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Planning White Sands
These common questions go deeper into logistics and planning. For real-time updates on road closures and current conditions, always check the Alerts section above.