National Park Guide

White Sands National Park

New Mexico, US

The world's largest gypsum dune field shimmers like a surreal white ocean beneath the Tularosa Basin sky.

146,344
Acres
10
Trails
2019
Established
790,000
Annual Visitors

Quick Info

Season
Year-round
Entrance Fee
$25 per vehicle
Nearest Airport
El Paso International Airport (ELP), 1.5 hours
Best Months
October, November, March

Highlights

  • Alkali Flat Trail
  • Dune Life Nature Trail
  • Sunset Stroll Program
  • Interdune Boardwalk
  • Heart of the Sands Drive

Park Map

Explore trailheads, hotels, and points of interest

About White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park in southern New Mexico protects 275 square miles of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes, the largest such dune field on Earth. Visitors can hike, sled, and explore this otherworldly landscape that shifts and reshapes with the desert winds against a backdrop of the San Andres and Sacramento Mountains.

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Where to Stay

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Home2 Suites By Hilton Alamogordo White Sands

$$

Modern all-suite hotel in Alamogordo with an outdoor pool, 24-hour gym, and spacious rooms perfect for families exploring White Sands National Park.

20 min drive$120-200/night
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Hampton Inn Alamogordo

$$

Reliable hotel in Alamogordo offering hot breakfast, an indoor pool, and comfortable rooms just 17 minutes from the entrance to White Sands National Park.

20 min drive$110-180/night
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SureStay Plus by Best Western Alamogordo White Sands

$

Budget-friendly hotel near White Sands with full breakfast, laundry facilities, and family-friendly amenities in the heart of Alamogordo.

20 min drive$80-140/night
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Park Details

Highest Point
4,116 ft (Dune summit)
Camping
Available
Wilderness Areas
Yes
Pet Friendly
Limited (developed areas only)
Region
Southwest
Established
2019