Our first stop in New Mexico was the beautiful White Sands National Park. White Sands is a recently named park; prior to 2019 it was White Sands National Monument. Below is a little history about the park, safety tips, and my top areas to visit.
White Sands National Park
2023 Price: Free due to my Annual Pass (Fee would have been $25 for a 7-day pass)
White Sands National Park
The white sand dunes are gypsum crystals. White Sands dunefield is the largest of its kind on Earth. It is part of the Tularosa Basin which thousands of years ago had lakes, streams and grasslands. As the climate warmed, gypsum on the surrounding mountains dissolved with rain and snowmelt which carried it into the basin. Lakes evaporated and formed gypsum crystals. Strong winds continue to break up the crystals and deposit them among the dunes.
The park is surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range and an air force base. White Sands National Park closes to visitors when the range is conducting missile testing. Check the Park Closures page on the NPS site before visiting to verify it is open.
Debris from missile tests sometimes falls into the park and gets covered by sand. Do not touch any strange objects as they can still detonate. This is rare but it is good to keep in mind for your safety.
Dune Drive
Dune Drive is an 8-mile scenic road. This is paved until just after the Interdune Boardwalk (about 4.5 miles into the drive) then turns to hard-packed gypsum.
Playa Trail
The first hiking area is the Playa Trail on the right. There is a small parking lot with space for 5 or 6 vehicles along the road.
This trail is an easy and flat 0.5-mile round trip hike. Hardpacked gypsum makes up the path. Metal posts mark the trails throughout the park. Playa Trail has green posts with black hearts.
A playa is a shallow, low-lying area that temporarily fills with rainwater. It is a dry lakebed most of the year. Information signs along the path help you discover the importance and changing landscape of the playa.
The modern source of gypsum sand is also a playa – Lake Lucero.
Dune Life Nature Trail
Almost directly across the road from Playa Trail is the lane for the second hiking route. It has a medium-sized loop parking area.
Dune Life Nature Trail is a 1-mile loop, marked by blue posts with black clubs. It is a moderate trail as visitors must climb dunes and walk through loose sand. This is a good starting point to see if you can hike or will like hiking the larger sand dunes farther in the park.
Here the information signs follow Katie the Kit Fox and friends as you learn more about animals who live in the dunes. This makes it perfect for families.
There is also more vegetation here than on other hikes.
Interdune Boardwalk
The Interdune Boardwalk is a universally accessible 0.2-mile boardwalk.
Information signs teach you about science, geology, plants, and wildlife in White Sands.
About halfway there is a shaded canopy with benches to relax and soak in the scenery. There are also a couple benches along the rest of the boardwalk.
At the end of the boardwalk is an overlook of the dunefield and the surrounding Sacramento Mountains.
Alkali Flat Trail
Alkali Flat Trail is a 5-mile loop deep into and through the gypsum dunes. However, you can walk whatever length you choose or go off path. Keep in mind that this is a strenuous trail as you climb up and down large dunes.
The route is marked with red posts and black diamonds. Always make sure you are able to see the next trail marker and know your way back to the trailhead.
In my opinion, the best views in the park are standing at the top of a dune. It’s amazing to look around and see a sea of sand!
The experience is better as you get a distance from the trailhead. Once people can spread out, you no longer see them in your eyeline. Even 1 mile in, the footprints disappear, and you can see the true texture of windblown sand.
The name of the trail comes from nearby Alkali Flat, the dry lakebed of Lake Otero.
Sledding
A favorite activity in the park is sledding down the dunes. You can bring your own sled or purchase one from the gift shop. Sledding is allowed in the loop/back portion of Dune Drive where there is less vegetation. Waxing your sled is recommended to have a smoother ride.
Safety Tips
Based on the landscape there are some basic tips to safely enjoy your visit.
- Carry plenty of food and water – you are still in the desert. The National Park Service recommends one gallon (or 4 liters) per person per day.
- Know where you are and keep trail markers in view. Wind erases your tracks, and all the dunes can easily disorient you. Look for the next marker before continuing; if you cannot see one, turn back and return the way you came.
- Be prepared for the sun and its glare. White gypsum reflects sunlight and can cause a sunburn. Wear a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
- Know your limits, rest often, and do not hike alone.
- Pay attention to the weather. Daytime temperatures can reach 100°F or more in the summer. In the windy season, dust storms move in quickly, lower visibility, and can cause injuries. During monsoon season, thunderstorms can strike the desert even without rain.
For more safety information, check out the White Sands Safety page.
White Sands has one of the most unique landscapes I’ve seen in a national park! I highly recommend checking it out if you are nearby. We were able to explore all the areas above in one day.
We loved the photographs of the windswept sands. The photograph of you on top of a dune with single footsteps reflect the words describing this National Park! This landscape is so different than most of America. It is definitely a place to visit.