White Sands National Park is in New Mexico and covers 145,762 acres of land in the Tularosa Basin. Surrounded by White Sands Missile Range, the National Park is famous for its white dunes made up of gypsum.

The park is a popular tourist destination in the state because of its distinctive beauty. It preserves and protects the world’s largest gypsum dune field, along with the unique plants native to this region. Spread over more than 275 square miles, the dune field is so large that it can also be seen from space!

One of the popular activities in the park is sledding down on the dunes. People use waxed, plastic snow saucers for sledding, also available at the park gift shop.

Best hiking trails

There are a few hiking trails in the park that are worth checking out. These trails range from short .5-mile tracks to longer routes. Here are some of the trails you might enjoy while you are in the park.

Alkali Flat Trail

This 5-mile-long trail is the longest one in the park. The track takes you through the dry lakebed of Lake Otero, which covers 1,600 square miles of Tularosa Basin. While walking on the trail, you will have views of the endless white dunes!

This hike may be strenuous for beginners and children. Sometimes strong winds in the area may reduce visibility, so hikers should tread carefully and not get lost.

Backcountry Camping Trail

This loop trail is over 2 miles long and takes you through the heart of the dunes. The route has an orange trail marker, as the field is constantly reset due to rainstorms.

There is loose sand and several steep dunes, which is why the hike is between easy and difficult. As you walk in this classic white dune field, you will also spot several soaptree yuccas and purple sand verbena that decorate the landscape.

Dune Life Nature Trail

Located at the edge of the dune field, this trail has a distinctive beauty. Being just one mile long, the trail is also easy and family-friendly. In addition, the terrain is a blend of dunes and the Chihuahuan Desert, creating a perfect habitat for wildlife.

Some of the animals in this area include kit foxes, pallid bats, roadrunners, coyotes, and burrowing owls, most of which only come out at night. However, during the day hike, you will probably cross paths with lizards, including the little white whiptail, bleached earless, and fence lizards.

Interdune Boardwalk

This elevated boardwalk is also wheelchair accessible and is less than a mile long. The track is found between the Chihuahuan Desert shrublands and the dunes. With skunkbush sumac growing in every direction, the landscape appears even whiter than it is.

Along with benches, signs have been installed alongside the trail to lead the tours through various plants found here. Finally, the track ends at a point from where you can see the Sacramento Mountains.

Playa Trail

This short trail is appropriate for a family hike and can be finished in 20 to 30 minutes. In addition, there are interpretive panels located along the track for tourists. While this area is a dry lakebed for most of the year, during monsoon, rains fill up the playa with water, creating an exciting ecosystem.

Camping in the Park

There are no RV/vehicle campgrounds in the park; just basic backcountry camping is allowed. The ten basic backcountry camping sites in the park are located along the Backcountry Camping Loop Trail and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Moreover, camping here also requires a permit and reservations.

Camping options near the park

As the park does not have any developed campgrounds, several private and public campgrounds and RV parks are nearby. Most of these sites are located within an hour’s drive of the park.

Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground

The campground is 40 miles from the White Sands National Park and has 55 camping sites. The campground also has 2 group sites that can be reserved, while the other sites can be booked on a first-come, first-served basis. The recommended RV length here is 23 feet, while all sites have a picnic table, shade shelter, grill, and tent pad.

Sleepy Grass Campground

Located 37 miles from the national park, the campground has 53 sites and is open during summer. Campsites do not require any reservation and have a first-come, first-serve policy. RVs under 30 feet are allowed in the RV camps, while potable water and restrooms are available on the campsites.

Greasewood Campground

Sleepy Grass Campground is 62 miles from the national park and has 14 tent and RV campsites. With potable water and picnic tables, the campground also offers a variety of activities where campers can walk in a cactus garden and even catch fish for lunch.

Best Viewpoints

Lake Lucero

The beautiful Lake Lucero lies in the southwest corner of the Alkali Flat and is also the birthplace of the gypsum dunes. Lake Lucero changed from a lake to a playa almost 12,000 years ago after the ice age. Today, this area is a dry lakebed that only temporarily fills up with water during a specific time of the year.

Once filled with water, Lake Lucero looks striking in the middle of white sand, while San Andres Mountains provide a stunning backdrop. Tour to this lake is offered once a month from November through March, where tourists can learn more about the formation of the white sands.

Dunes Drive

Dunes drive is the only road in White Sands National Park and runs from the entrance right into the heart of the dune field. A drive through this road will allow you to see trailheads, picnic areas, and sledding spots. The first 5 miles of this 8-mile-long road are paved, but the last 3 miles are a hard-packed gypsum sand road.

The road is covered with white sand, which makes it look like it’s covered with snow. A drive through this road is a great way to start your trip as it allows you to explore what this park offers.

The drive isn’t any longer than 20 minutes, but you will likely have to stop at least once or twice to take photos or check off other items on this to-do list.

Dune Life Nature Trail

Dune Life Nature Trail is a 1.1-mile loop trail that allows you to hike up and over the white sandy dunes. This trail gets its name because of its diverse plant life and is one of the park’s most famous attractions. The trail also has numerous signs that will teach you about the plants and animals in this basin.