Things to Do
Driving Dunes DriveDriving Dunes Drive at White Sands National Park offers an unparalleled journey into the heart of the world's largest gypsum dunefield.
White Sands
Defined by its blindingly white dunes and endless horizons, White Sands National Park delivers one of the most striking desert landscapes in the country.
Top Stops
Top places to visit in White Sands, from signature stops to easy additions for the trip plan.
Point of interest
White Sands Visitor CenterThe White Sands Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin your journey into the mesmerizing gypsum dunes of White Sands.
Point of interest
Playa TrailThe Playa Trail at White Sands National Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the park's lesser-known features beyond its iconic gypsum dunes.
Information
Explore Information inside White Sands with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Visitor Essentials
Welcome to White SandsImagine a place so surreal that it looks like a lunar dreamscape but feels like a sunbaked beach-with no ocean in sight.
Visitor Essentials
Park Hours & Seasonal AccessWhite Sands is open year-round, but timing your visit can make all the difference. Gates open daily at 7:00 AM, with closing times shifting seasonally to match sunset.
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Visitor Essentials
Fees, Passes & Entry RequirementsWhite Sands requires an entrance fee, with a standard vehicle pass costing $25 and granting access for seven consecutive days.
Auto Tour
Explore Auto Tour inside White Sands with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
White Sands Visitor CenterThe White Sands Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin your journey into the mesmerizing gypsum dunes of White Sands.
Point of interest
Transition ZoneIn White Sands, the transition zone is where the stark, rolling dunes gradually give way to more stable ground, allowing vegetation to take root.
Point of interest
Playa TrailThe Playa Trail at White Sands National Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the park's lesser-known features beyond its iconic gypsum dunes.
Picnicking
Explore Picnicking inside White Sands with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
Primrose Picnic AreaThis is a peaceful retreat nestled among the rolling gypsum dunes, offering visitors a shaded spot to rest, eat, and take in the stunning surroundings.
Point of interest
Yucca Picnic AreaThe Yucca Picnic Area is a scenic and tranquil spot nestled within the vast white dunes of White Sands.
Point of interest
Roadrunner Picnic AreaThe Roadrunner Picnic Area offers a spacious and well-equipped spot for visitors to enjoy a meal while surrounded by the striking white dunes of White Sands.
Hiking
Explore Hiking inside White Sands with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
Playa TrailThe Playa Trail at White Sands National Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the park's lesser-known features beyond its iconic gypsum dunes.
Point of interest
Dune Life Nature TrailRated as a moderate hike, the trail requires participants to navigate soft gypsum sands and ascend dunes reaching heights of up to 30 feet (9.1 meters).
Point of interest
Backcountry Camping TrailThe Backcountry Camping Loop Trail at White Sands offers an unforgettable journey through the world's largest gypsum dunefield.
Points of Interest
Explore Points of Interest inside White Sands with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
White Sands Visitor CenterThe White Sands Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin your journey into the mesmerizing gypsum dunes of White Sands.
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Point of interest
Lake Lucero (Seasonal Tour Only)Tucked away at the southwestern edge of White Sands, Lake Lucero is a hidden gem that tells the incredible geological story of how the park's famous dunes were formed.
Point of interest
White Sands Missile RangeWhite Sands Missile Range (WSMR) is one of the most historically significant military testing sites in the United States.
Sledding
Explore Sledding inside White Sands with park-specific stops and route ideas.
Point of interest
Alkali Flat TrailheadThe Alkali Flat Trailhead serves as the gateway to one of White Sands National Park's most challenging and rewarding hikes-the Alkali Flat Trail.
Point of interest
Roadrunner Picnic AreaThe Roadrunner Picnic Area at White Sands offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, making it an ideal stop for visitors looking to experience the unique landscape of the world's largest gypsum dunefield
Nearby Parks Around White Sands
Compare nearby parks around White Sands when planning alternatives, extensions, or a follow-up trip.
Nearby Points of Interest Around White Sands
Explore nearby points of interest around White Sands to build stop-level options beyond this park's top picks.
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White Sands National Park
Located in southern New Mexico, the park features 275 square miles of sand dunes comprised of gypsum crystals, a geological reminder of a distant past when this area was a shallow sea.
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White Sands Historic District
The White Sands Historic District, a striking representation of Pueblo Revival architecture, stands as a tribute to both traditional Southwestern building styles and the ingenuity of the Great Depression-era workforce.
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White Sands Visitor Center
The White Sands Visitor Center is the perfect place to begin your journey into the mesmerizing gypsum dunes of White Sands.
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White Sands Visitor Center Gift Store
No trip to White Sands is complete without a stop at the White Sands Visitor Center Gift Store, where visitors can find the perfect keepsake to remember their adventure.
2.5 mi away
Playa Trail
The Playa Trail at White Sands National Park offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the park's lesser-known features beyond its iconic gypsum dunes.
2.5 mi away
Dune Life Nature Trail
Rated as a moderate hike, the trail requires participants to navigate soft gypsum sands and ascend dunes reaching heights of up to 30 feet (9.1 meters).
