Trails marked with an asterisk (*) navigate shifting sand dunes, meaning there is no clear path or measure of elevation gain. Follow color-coded trail markers to avoid getting lost.

🥾 Dune Life Nature Trail (1.0 miles, mostly flat*): This relatively easy trail takes visitors through a path dotted with signs that detail the park’s wildlife. The path itself is relatively flat, but requires navigation of a steep dune near the trailhead.
🥾 Alkali Flat (4.7 miles, not flat*): White Sands’ longest marked trail guides visitors deep into the park’s dunefield, where few people venture. There is no good measure of this trail’s elevation gain, since it crosses plentiful dunes that constantly shift and change. I caution against attempting this in the heat of summer, as the trail features zero shade.
🥾 Interdune Boardwalk (0.4 miles, flat): This short, wheelchair accessible walk provides visitors with scenic views of the dunefield and the Sacramento Mountains in the distance. It features exhibits along its path to educate visitors.
🥾 Backcountry Camping Trail (1.8 miles, not flat*): This is essentially a shorter version of the Alkali Flat Trail, providing similar views and crossing similarly sandy terrain. This trail provides access to the park’s backcountry camp sites.

🛷 Sledding: It may not be the first thing to cross your mind, but one of White Sands’ most popular activities is sledding or snowboarding down its many dunes. During peak season, you can find huge crowds of people engaging in the activity.
🚗 Dunes Drive: The easiest and quickest way to see the spectacular dunes of White Sands is via this drive that takes visitors into the heart of the dunefield. Biking is an alternative way to utilize this road.

🏞️ Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument: These beautiful mountains are visible from both White Sands and the nearby Las Cruces, and serve as a midpoint between the two landmarks. Check out the hiking, climbing, and sightseeing here. Fans of the National Park Service should note that this is maintained by the BLM, despite the name.
🌲 Lincoln National Forest: This USFS-maintained area encompasses the Sacramento, Capitan, and Guadalupe mountain ranges. The first of the three is about thirty minutes from White Sands, and the latter two require more driving.
🏙️ Las Cruces: If you are visiting White Sands from afar, there’s a decent chance you’ll either visit or sleep in Las Cruces. Be sure to check out the city’s historic areas and any of the fantastic Mexican restaurants there.
🏞️ Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, & Big Bend National Parks: If you’re visiting White Sands from afar, I’d suggest trying to combine a visit to the park with stops in the other national parks of the Chihuahuan Desert. All of these parks are well-removed from major population centers, so if you’re going to hit one, you might as well hit them all. Just know that they all require lots of driving to access, even from White Sands.

📅 When to Visit: White Sands sees the most comfortable weather in the fall, from September to November. While you can visit any time of year, other times may be either too cold or too hot.
⌚ How Long to Visit: If visiting in the fall or spring, try to stretch your visit in the park to a full day to enjoy the views, hike the Alkali Flat Trail, and catch a sunrise or sunset. In the summer, plan to spend 2-3 hours in the park, since you’ll likely want to avoid spending too much time in the harsh sun and may have to dodge afternoon storms. In the summer, try to arrive at the park in the morning to beat the heat.
🚗 How to Visit: It’s relatively easy to access White Sands by car, just know that it is very out of the way from most major attractions. I’d recommend scheduling a road trip to visit all of the national parks of the Chihuahuan Desert in one fell swoop (see the “Nearby Activities” section) since each of the four parks is far removed from society.
🛏️ Where to Stay: Las Cruces is the closest and best place to stay when visiting White Sands. If you’re looking to camp, consider doing so in White Sands’ backcountry campsites, but only if conditions are acceptable.
🧳 What to Bring: Bring high-quality sunglasses, sunscreen, a sled, sand-friendly footwear, and lots of water. The NPS website recommends two liters of water per person on the park’s shorter trails, and more on its longer trails. Otherwise, bring your usual hiking and camping gear.

✅ DO check on park closures before you visit. While the park is open year-round, the White Sands Missile Range often affects park accessibility.
✅ DO prepare your eyes for the blinding light generated by the white sand dunes.
❌ DON’T underestimate the heat. As with all of the desert-based national parks, bring plenty of water and don’t trivialize the heat’s effect on your body. If visiting in the hot months, try to start your day in the park in the early morning.