Why White Sands National Park Is Worth a Visit

I hate the beach, and it’s mostly the sand to blame. The stuff gets everywhere it shouldn’t be, and good luck getting all of those tiny grains out of your car seat cushions after a particularly aggressive day at the beach.

The problem is, I love national parks. When I saw we’d be within spitting range of White Sands National Park on a New Mexico road trip, seeing those sparkling sands became a need, not a want.

After spending a day in the park exploring the best trails and participating in the ancient tradition of sandboarding, I’d say this park is definitely worth visiting.

Go ahead and add it to your New Mexico bucket list already. Let’s get into why. 

Is White Sands National Park worth it?

White Sands National Park is worth a visit just to see those shimmering sands. The park’s sands cover an area of 275 square miles in the desert, so it’s easy to find your own patch to discover. 

This is also one of the best places in the United States to try your skills in sandboarding. While it may not require much skill, it does require you to leave some of your shame at the foot of that sand dune.

You may look ridiculous, but that’s part of the fun.

How Much Time You Need for White Sands National Park

You should spend at least half a day at White Sands National Park. That should give you enough time to hike some of the park’s hiking trails without a rush and try sandboarding or sand sledding.

A full day could allow you time for ranger hikes in the park, some off-the-beaten-path hiking, and more sandboarding or sledding.

I don’t know. Maybe you’ll find your passion out there.

The National Park Service does open and close the gates at this one. You can visit from 7am to about 30 minutes after local sunset, a time that changes throughout the year. 

It’s important that you follow that timetable at this park. White Sands National Park is adjacent to White Sands Missile Range, a military testing ground.

Need I say more? 

OK, I will.

Occasionally, the road leading into the park closes from time to time even during hours you may expect it to be open. You’ll want to check out the NPS site before traveling to the park just in case you have unfortunate timing around missile testing.

Note: Give your search engine the query, “Is White Sands National Park open?” and you can find your answer that way, too.

Why did White Sands become a national park?

White Sands National Park in New Mexico is home to the world’s largest gypsum field. That’s a big part of what makes this park in the Tularosa Basin so special.

Gypsum is a type of mineral that can break down into fine, powdery sand. The gypsum you’ll see at the park is a blend of two types of gypsum, gypsum sand and selenite crystals.

That combo is what causes those white sand dunes to sparkle as they do.

Fun fact: Gypsum has many other uses outside of creating scenic vistas in national parks. You’ll find different types in medicines, paint, crayons, mead, and baked goods. In the United States, it’s a main ingredient in drywall, which does make me question the aforementioned baked goods.

White Sands is also one of the country’s newest national parks. It went by White Sands National Monument until 2019 when it was designated an official park. As such, you’ll need to pay an entrance fee unless you hold an America the Beautiful pass.

You should also call it by its proper name while you’re here. (I’ve seen bloggers call this one White Sand Dunes National Park right there on their blogs. That’s incorrect.)

This is New Mexico’s most-visited national park site. Let’s respect that.

Things to Do at White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park isn’t a place with a long list of things to do. It’s more about appreciating this unique landscape and finding your own fun in the sand. 

If you’re short on time but able to hike, the Dune Life Nature Trail or Backcountry Camping Trail are good introductions to the park. Just make sure you bring plenty of water, especially in the warmer months.

READ MORE: Planning travel elsewhere in New Mexico? I have a detailed guide for that!

Start at the White Sands Visitor Center.

I always like leaving enough time on national park visits for a stop at the main visitor center. As long as it’s open, it’s the place to get any lingering questions answered along with more information on guided hikes.

Like most national park visitor centers, this one has a modest exhibit inside with a short film about the history and geology of the park.

Take a scenic ride on Dunes Drive.

You can just drive through White Sands National Park if you stick to Dunes Drive. The scenic drive is eight miles long and takes you through the heart of the gypsum dune field.

I know you’ll want to get out and take a closer look at the sand, though. You’ll find several parking and picnic areas, trailheads, and scenic pullouts along the way.

Stroll the Playa Trail.

Outdoor exhibits line this flat, easy half-mile trail. It’s named as such because it takes you to a playa, or a shallow spot that temporarily fills with water after rains. It was dry during our visit, but I get how that happens.

READ MORE: Love desert parks? Saguaro National Park is another great option.

Explore the Dune Life Nature Trail.

This trail is across from the Playa Trail. It’s a full mile with some sand dune climbing, but nothing too excessive. It’s a good introduction to the wildlife of the park. 

I’m not saying you’ll see any wildlife here, but you can learn about what comes out after dark. That includes kit foxes, pocket gophers, and a variety of lizards and snakes.

We didn’t see a thing other than our smiling faces as we celebrated getting to the top of each sand dune.

Walk the Interdune Boardwalk.

This is a boardwalk trail amongst the dunes with a couple of placards for you to read about the wildlife and geology of the park. I preferred getting closer to the sand, but this one is a more accessible approach to trails in the park.

Hike the Backcountry Camping Loop Trail.

This trail is most popular with backpackers, naturally, but it’s a great adventure into the dunes at a more reasonable distance than the next trail I’ll get into. There were only a few steep hills to climb on this well-marked trail. 

As you’re unlikely to find many other travelers here, it’s one of the best spots for White Sands National Park photos.

Work up a sweat on the Alkali Flat Trail.

I’m not sure how this trail got its name, but the five-mile trek is NOT a flat hike.

You’ll be hiking up and down the sand dunes on this one, so it’s sure to be a workout. Follow the red trail markers with a diamond symbol if you dare.

I’ll be honest. We skipped this one, but we already had some mileage under our belts from the other trails.

My notes on this one during the pre-planning phase literally say, “This sounds terrible, right?!?”

Try sandboarding.

This may be what so many of you are here for. 

Our accommodations in Alamogordo had a pair of plastic sleds for us to use, but if you don’t have your own, there are so many shops in town that sell them. If you’re really in a bind, they’re also available in the park’s gift shop.

Note: They’ll get more expensive the closer you get to the park, so it’s best to plan ahead on this if you’re interested. 

We also had access to a cube of wax for our sleds, but once we were out there, we realized we had overwaxed our saucers quite a bit. It may be thanks to the subtly icy conditions out there during our winter trip.

I’d recommend giving your sled a go before going hard on the wax.

The experience was fun, but it was tough work getting up those hills just to hurtle down to the base in a few seconds. We lasted for about a half hour before calling for a snack break. 

As far as where you can do the thing, choose dunes with gentle slopes to start. The sand may be soft, but the base isn’t always a nice landing pad for you.

The park recommends the sand dunes at the Roadrunner Picnic Area or the Alkali Flat Trailhead.

We chose the picnic area above and didn’t have much competition with others interested in sand sledding. We did see some folks on the way out with sandboards, another option for these hills. 

Rest at the White Sands Picnic Areas.

I’m not usually one to nerd out over picnic areas, but the ones set aside for relaxing and snacking at White Sands are pretty great. They’re shaded, even a little futuristic-looking, with elevated grills in case you’re here for a full meal.

There are a total of 62 shaded tables for you to choose from in the park in three different public areas. They’re all first-come, first-served, but we didn’t encounter another soul at our pick when it was sandwich time. 

When to Visit White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is at its best in March and the rest of the spring months. This is the busiest time in the park, though.

The park is a year-round destination. We visited the park in the winter and were fine in hats and fleece.

Things to Do Near White Sands National Park

With more time in the area, Alamogordo is worth a visit. I mean, you’ll probably spend a night there at the end of the day, so it’s also pretty convenient.

Start at Pistachioland.

Fun fact: This is the world’s largest pistachio. You’re welcome.

Here are a few more options for attractions near White Sands National Park:

• White Sands Missile Range Museum: I’ve told you all about the missile activity. Learn more about why they do what they do at this museum. Admission is free, but you’ll need proof of registration and insurance for your vehicle at the gate.
• Las Cruces: This New Mexican town is known for its arts scene and downtown. It’s also a great place to get your hands on a variety of chile peppers popular across the state. Arrive in Las Cruces from White Sands in under an hour.
• Three Rivers Petroglyph Site: There are over 21,000 petroglyphs at this site just under an hour from White Sands National Park. What you’ll see here dates back to 200-1450 AD. It’s a big range but that’s how these things go.

Where to Stay When Visiting White Sands National Park

Backcountry camping is usually the only way to stay inside the park, but that option is currently unavailable as the park addresses some lingering safety issues.

I’m not sure what those are, by the way, but follow the park’s website for more if you’re a camper.

At this time, you’re better off at more traditional accommodations near the park on your White Sands National Park tour.

Alamogordo is the city closest to White Sands National Park. It’s only about 15 minutes from Alamogordo to White Sands, so it’s close enough to return to the park for programs like Full Moon Night.

We’ve stayed at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in town. Alamogordo has a lot of chain properties for you to choose from, but they’re not all well-reviewed. This one is a popular option for a comfortable stay.

While it wasn’t the cheapest option in the area, this seemed like a place I should drop a few more dollars in for a good night’s rest.

Check out more options for accommodations in Alamogordo on the map below:

White Sands National Park is worth seeing.

Those sparkling white sands and the opportunities to go sand sledding on one of its many dunes reward travelers who make the journey out here.

It’s also an easy add-on if you’re already on a New Mexico road trip, especially if you have your heart set on that giant pistachio. I know I did.

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