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5.0
2,848 votes

White Sands National Park

Highway US-70, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310 USA

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Closed Now
Opens Thu 7a
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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Natural Wonder

Our Take

As a national monument, there isn’t much to the park’s facilities, but it doesn’t matter when the scenery is so stunning. The sand on the dunes is even brighter white in person than it appears in photos, and the feeling of exploring an empty, bleached-out desert is just really incredible. You don’t need four-wheel drive or anything special to drive through the dunes, but the road is only paved to a point, after which it becomes packed sand that gets less and less packed the further out it gets.

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“One of the world's great natural wonders”

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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Reviewed by
VicDAce

  • 1 Review
  • 15 Helpful
November 27, 2015
Rated 5.0

It feels like you are in another world. Before planning your visit make sure to check whether the park will be open at NPS website. From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs missile testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70.

15 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Aliece02

  • 5 Reviews
  • 8 Helpful
August 09, 2015
Rated 5.0

Amazing! We travelled to the mountains to get out of the heat but took a morning trip down. We have 4 young ones and bought one sled to share...it was super fun! The farther you go into the park, the better the sledding is...the steeper the better, obviously. The park is open until 9pm and they say the sunset is beautiful with a guided stroll at 7pm...so you might plan for an end of the day visit. Don't forget some baby powder to help with sand removal. And believe it or not, even at 95degrees, the sand wasn't too hot on the feet :)

8 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Coraleighcastle

  • 4 Reviews
  • 16 Helpful
September 11, 2014
Rated 5.0

This is one of the most breathtaking and magical places I have ever been. Bar none. Go here.

8 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Joel Schat

  • Photographer
  • 237 Reviews
  • 538 Helpful
April 10, 2014
Rated 5.0

Sweet spot! Highly recommend the back country camping! Just make sure that if it is windy you bring some weight / dont leave your tent unattended! Came back to my site after going two dunes over to take some sun set photos and the tent had blown away!

6 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
danamjones

  • 2 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
March 15, 2014
Rated

Incredible! Great for the family as well as a great place for backcountry camping. The hike to the campsite was short and easy, good news after a fun day sledding the dunes. The sunset was stunningly beautiful. I was worried about tent camping on sand but the campsite was compact enough for my small stakes. :)

3 people found this review helpful
  • 2 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
April 25, 2015
Rated 5.0

Absolutely a must see! Go about an hour before sunset and be sure to bring your camera!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
accordingtomolly

  • 10 Reviews
  • 6 Helpful
January 06, 2015
Rated 5.0

Highly recommend! I drove from Houston to New Mexico with a few of my friends for a camping trip and to visit White Sands. This place was so much fun. The weather was pretty cold, but it was perfect on the dunes, because of the direct sunlight. Don't forget your sunscreen and sled!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
pastcaring

  • 3 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
September 11, 2014
Rated 5.0

A truly awesome place. Like nothing you have seen before.We had the fortune to visit out of season (Sept 2014) when we had the place to ourselves.
Beautiful, majestic, awe inspiring. If you get the chance, GO!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
quarter_rican

  • 5 Reviews
  • 5 Helpful
September 10, 2014
Rated 5.0

You do not have to be a child to go sledding on the dunes. It is super fun. Go in the evening and stay a little while after sunset.

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
BalboaLandYacht

  • 32 Reviews
  • 2 Helpful
February 10, 2022
Rated 5.0

Really a stunning place to visit, simple and beautiful sunsets. Road tour is partially paved but sand portion is easily managed by 2WD vehicles.

1 person found this review helpful

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White Sands National Park

Highway US-70
Alamogordo, New Mexico
88310 USA
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Hours

Closed Now
  • Sun - Sat: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

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Good for cycling, hiking, and 5 more activities.

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    Pets Allowed
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    Restrooms
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    Wifi
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Credit Cards Accepted
Affiliation
National park
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Campground, Parking

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