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

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

Top Trails

Featured trailheads in White Sands National Park

Alkali Flat Trail

Strenuous

4.6 miles loop

100 ft gain

Dune Life Nature Trail

Easy

1.0 miles loop

30 ft gain

Interdune Boardwalk

Easy

0.4 miles round trip

10 ft gain

Backcountry Camping Trail

Moderate

2.0 miles round trip

50 ft gain

Playa Trail

Easy

0.5 miles round trip

10 ft gain

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.

In-Depth Guide

White Sands Guide: Best Hikes, When to Visit & Where to Stay

Plan your trip to White Sands National Park. Top hikes, best months to visit, where to stay, and essential tips for New Mexico's gypsum dune field.

12 min read

Weather Overview

Average monthly temperatures

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Hotels

3 options near White Sands National Park

Weather

Monthly climate data

Best Time to Visit

Month-by-month analysis

Hiking Gear

Expert-tested picks

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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Compare White Sands National Park

See how White Sands National Park stacks up against other national parks

White Sands National Park vs Death Valley National Park

Choose Death Valley for vast geological diversity and extreme superlatives. Choose White Sands for a surreal, otherworldly dune experience that is easier to visit and more family-friendly.

See full comparison

White Sands National Park vs Great Sand Dunes National Park

Choose Great Sand Dunes for the tallest dunes in North America with a stunning mountain backdrop. Choose White Sands for surreal white dune landscapes and a more family-friendly experience.

See full comparison