National Park · Southwest · NM
White Sands National Park
Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.
Current alerts
Park ClosureDunes Drive Safety Corridor
Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.
InformationBackcountry Camping Closed
Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
InformationInterdune Boardwalk Closed
Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.
InformationPark Closures
From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.
InformationRV and Tractor Trailer Parking at the Visitor Center
There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.
Location
32.7791, -106.3333
Hours & fees
Standard Park Hours
The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm
| Monday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Wednesday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Thursday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Friday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Saturday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Sunday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
- Entrance - Private Vehicle — $25.00
Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
- Entrance - Per Person — $15.00
Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who enter the park by walking and bicycling. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
- Entrance - Motorcycle — $20.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
- Commercial Entrance - Van — $50.00
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
- Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus — $60.00
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
- Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach — $150.00
Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board).
Activities
- Auto and ATV
- Scenic Driving
- Biking
- Road Biking
- Camping
- Backcountry Camping
- Food
- Picnicking
- Guided Tours
- Hiking
- Junior Ranger Program