White Sands National Park Itinerary

Have you ever dreamed of escaping to a vast, otherworldly landscape with pure white sand stretching as far as the eye can see? Look no further than White Sands National Park, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of New Mexico. With its unique terrain and stunning sunsets, this national park offers a one-of-a-kind experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. But with so much to see and do, planning the perfect itinerary can be overwhelming.

Don’t worry; I’ve got you covered. In this article, I’ll take you on a journey through White Sands National Park, providing insider tips and must-see spots for the ultimate one-day itinerary. Strap on your hiking boots and get ready to explore this natural wonderland.

About White Sands National Park

A vast sea of snow-white gypsum dunes is beckoning you to go for a hike. There is no better way of experiencing the unique landscape of White Sands National Park than by venturing out onto any trail. Explore the dunes and enjoy the silence and solitude of the dune field with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Plan ahead to ensure you have a great and safe hike.

Here is your White Sands National Park Itinerary

Entrance Fees

Entrance fees are charged per vehicle to enter White Sands National Park. There are also individual passes available for those biking into the park. Children ages 15 and younger enter for free. The National Park Service has also designated various days throughout the year as Fee Free Days.

I recommend purchasing the annual interagency pass for $80 if you plan on visiting other federal parks or forests such as Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountain National Parks. Those interested in interagency park passes can purchase them at the fee station.

How to Get There

Directions

You will want to fly into El Paso International Airport and rent a car. From the airport, it is about a 1.5-hour drive to White Sands. If you’re coming from Carlsbad, it will take 3 hours.

When to Visit

Park operating hours vary by season, and it is occasionally closed for periods of time due to missile tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. The weather in the White Sands park is usually quite nice, with clear, sunny skies almost all year round.

Summers are hot, with daytime temperatures averaging 97ºF (36ºC) in the summer and 60ºF (16ºC) in the winter. Most of the rainfall occurs during the “monsoon season,” from early July through mid-October. The best time of year to visit White Sands is in February, when we did. The weather was beautiful, with sunny skies and temps around 78ºF (26ºC), and the park wasn’t too busy so we had entire areas to ourselves.

Where to Stay

Looking for a place to stay? There are plenty of options in nearby Alamogordo, 13 miles (24 km) from the park, and Las Cruces, 50 miles (84 km) from the park. I recommend staying at a hotel in Alamogordo or backcountry camping inside the park. There are also nearby campgrounds and RV parks available.

Hotels

Campgrounds

What to Bring

It’s important to prepare early for what you will need on your visit to White Sands. Be sure to dress appropriately and cover your head, face, neck, and arms to keep from getting sunburnt. Wearing Teva sandals for playing and hiking in the dunes will keep sand out of your shoes, making for a more comfortable experience. Chances are you will get sandy, so wear shorts to keep you cool and easily brush off the sand.

Things to do in White Sands National Park

Go on a Picnic

There are several places to have lunch towards the back of the park. We ate at the Primrose picnic area, which is smaller and more private. The largest area is the Roadrunner, which backs up against giant mounds of sand, making it popular for sandboarders. The Yucca picnic area is the first one you will see when you enter the loop; due to its proximity, it is usually the busiest.

Backcountry Camping

White Sands National Park has backcountry campsites amongst the glistening gypsum dunes of New Mexico. There are ten non-electric camping sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, and you’ll need a permit. Backpack along the camping loop trail to your assigned site and become a guest of the nocturnal animals that make their home in this unique ecosystem.

Sandboarding/Sledding

If you want to get adventurous, try your feet at sandboarding in White Sands! You can rent or buy boards and sleds at the Visitor Center. The whole back loop of the park is open to both, so grab your gear and start climbing.

Sunset Stroll

Take a Ranger-led walk through the sand dunes at sunset to see the incredible hues reflected in the sand. The sign at the entrance to the Visitor Center shows what time the sunset stroll will start that day. Be sure to take a look when you’re filling up your waters.

Play Frisbee

Just because there’s no water doesn’t mean you can’t play in the sand. Pack a “beach bag” with kites, frisbees, umbrellas, and a cooler full of fun beverages for a desert beach day.

Hiking Trails in White Sands National Park

Playa Trail

The Playa Trail is an easy 0.4-mile out-and-back, level trail with outdoor exhibits along the way to help you learn and explore the characteristics that make it special. Follow the green trail markers with a heart symbol that lead to a small playa. You will discover the importance of a playa undergoing constant change and how this change creates habitats for plants and animals.

Dune Life Nature Trail

The Dune Life Nature Trail is a short 1.0-mile loop hike that takes around 45 minutes. Not rated as difficult but will certainly get your heart rate up, this hike requires you to climb a few steep dunes with loose sand. Follow the blue trail markers with a club symbol. Look for tracks of the animals that call these dunes their home. Kit foxes, badgers, birds, and reptiles all live in this area.

Backcountry Camping Loop Trail

This moderate 1.7-mile loop offers a unique hiking experience for an hour with gorgeous views. Backpackers hike the trail most frequently, but it’s also open to visitors who are interested in a shorter hike through the heart of the dunes. This trail features a few challenging scrambles up and down the loose dunes.

Alkali Flat Trail

The challenging 4.5-mile loop Alkali Flat Trail, marked by red trail markers with a diamond symbol, offers a journey through the heart of White Sands National Park. This trail skirts the edge of a vast, dry lakebed, the remnants of Lake Otero. Hikers will encounter unique dune formations and stunning views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The trail is fully exposed to the sun and can take 3-4 hours, so it’s critical to bring plenty of water and strong sun protection.

Tips and Techniques for Hiking in Sand

Our Itinerary in White Sands National Park

9:00 am – We arrived at White Sands National Park Visitors Center. I received my National Parks passport stamp, and we bought a few souvenirs. We took the opportunity to fill our water bottles and get the “national park sign picture”.

9:30 am – Hike the Alkali Trail. We decided to start at the back part of the park and work our way up and out. That way, we could hike the Alkali Trail first before the heat of the day caught up with us. The 5-mile loop took us about 2.5 hours to complete.

12:00 pm – We had our bagged lunch in the Roadrunner Picnic Area where the shelter gave us a reprieve from the sun. We spent about 1.5 hours there, playing frisbee in the dunes and watching people sandboard/sled.

*NOTE – We skipped the 2-mile Backcountry Camping Trail loop, which generally takes about 90 minutes.

1:30 pm – The Interdune Boardwalk was closed, so we continued and drove to the Dune Life Nature Trail Trailhead to hike the one-mile loop. We took our time reading the signs and taking pictures, which took us about 45 minutes.

2:30 pm- We were out of water at this point, so we drove back to the visitor center to refill.

3:30 pm- After our waters were all filled again, we hiked the short .25 mile Playa trail.

5:00 pm – Go to the Sunset Stroll Meeting Area in the back of the park for a beautiful sunset in the dunes. *Follow the sign – the location on the map is incorrect.* Time will vary depending on what time of year you visit.

Important Things to Know Before Visiting White Sands National Park

Water is only available at the Visitor Center – nowhere else. You should bring at least two water bottles per person if you embark on the Alkali Flat trail.
Bathrooms are located at the numerous stops along the scenic drive and trailheads.
The White Sands Trading Company gift shop has a selection of convenient, ready-to-eat food options, including sandwiches, bottled drinks, salty snacks, and sweet treats. The nearby towns of Alamogordo and Las Cruces have a variety of restaurants as well.
The sand is COLD to the touch, not hot as you would think. So go barefoot! The sand is silky smooth and great for buffing your feet.
White Sands is PET FRIENDLY. Just be sure to keep your furry friend on a 6 ft leash at all times.
The illegal taking of resources from within the national park is a Class B misdemeanor punishable with a $5,000 fine or 6 months in jail.