The Best Camping at White Sands National Park. Summer Hours (Memorial Day through mid-August): 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Winter Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. The sand is amazing, and just unreal. Great trip, would encourage everyone to see it. Before that, it … I would love to visit again. The nearest restroom facility is a vault toilet a one-mile trudge through the steep, shifting white sand dunes back at the beginning of the trailhead. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sunset and sunrise are obviously the golden hours for photographers but any time is a good time for some sand-dune sledding, kite flying, and back-country camping. White Sands opens daily at 7:00 am every day of the year except Christmas (December 25). Required fields are marked *. Sledding at White Sands National Monument is the main attraction for families. Stop by the visitor center to explore the store or shop online where popular collectables can be found. ... Search Open Menu Explore This Park; White Sands. But because gypsum sand isn’t slippery like snow, you will need to wax up your ride. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Devils Tower National Monument. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, also in New Mexico, is 181 miles away and takes about 3 ½ hours to drive there. Or get a full Carlsbad Caverns National Park to White Sands flight plan. When you’ve finished at the Visitors Center, jump on Dunes Drive to take a scenic, eight-mile (13 km) tour through the heart of the gypsum dunes. If you are doing a road trip, White Sands National Park is 3.5 hours from Albuquerque, 5 hours from Tucson, and 6.5 hours from Phoenix. Join the National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here to connect other national park lovers, trade advice, or see inspiring photos of the National Parks? If you are doing a road trip, White Sands National Park is 3.5 hours The most common hiking trails are Dune Life Nature Trail, Backcountry Camping Trail, Alkali Flat Trail, and Playa Trail. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. If you’re looking to visit these New Mexico sand dunes check out my White Sands National Park … Depending upon the specifics of the test, all or portions of White Sands may also be closed. That means there is no shelter, shade, picnic table, or water. Saguaro National Park is located about 4 hours away from White Sands National Park and is a good place to couple with a trip to White Sands. White Sands National Park is one of the newest national parks. Interdune Boardwalk. To get an up to date information of the Parklink. Be prepared for sand EVERYWHERE! Sleds and blocks of wax are available in the White Sands Visitor Center. Visitors are encouraged to check Park Closure webpage to verify that a closure is not in effect. In addition to exploring the white gypsum sand dunes “freestyle,” you can also walk the boardwalk or hike one of four trails. Each site includes a grill and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Related content 3 years, 80,000 miles, 61 national parks Exploring the world, one national park at a time. Info; Alerts; Maps; Calendar; Reserve; Alerts In Effect ... NPS Photo. Find maps that will help you find your way to White Sands National Park. This is an unbelievable place. It takes about 45 minutes to complete the entire drive, but you may want to allow additional time to explore exhibits, walk or play in the sand, and take photographs. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. miles in area. White Sands National Park is open daily, year round, except on December 25. Enjoying all the free National Park information and advice. National Park New Mexico. In support of the New Mexico Public Health Orders and to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, White Sands National Park will temporarily limit indoor services. Closing hours adjust seasonally with sunset. We expected White Sands to be beautiful, which it was, but in person it felt almost ‘otherworldly’. You Can’t Miss White Sands If you decide to visit White Sands National Park, you won’t be sorry. This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! White Sands National Park is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day. There is no public transport to the White Sands National Park, but you can take an Amtrak Train to El Paso and rent a car from there. Like I said earlier we didn’t pack our sleds. Online Store - WNPA. White Sands National Park has a variety of hiking trails for all levels of difficulty. Just pick up one of those round snow disks and some wax (if you can) for your sledding adventure (other sled types don’t work as … Learn more about the plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert by taking a free, self-guided tour of the Native Plant Garden just outside the White Sands Visitor Center. Today, White Sands is New Mexico’s most popular National Park Service site, welcoming approximately 500,000 visitors each year. This makes it one of my personal favorite parks for that minor detail. Regardless of … A ski resort in the dead of winter? Find the travel option that best suits you. It’s 275 square miles of gypsum sand dunes in the Tularosa Basin at the Northern end of the Chihuahuan Desert. One of … If you decide to camp at White Sands, you should be at your campsite by dusk and prepared to stay put until dawn. (IMPORTANT NOTE:  The Alkali Flat trail is actually not flat!). National Park Service Logo National Park Service. Try searching for places within 3 hours of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The experience will include signs explaining the geology, plants, and animals of White Sands. Pro Tip:  If you have a National Park Passport the White Sands Visitor Center is where you can get it stamped. Operating Hours & Seasons Park operating hours vary by season, and is occasionally closed for periods of time due to missile tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Who knew you could go play in the sand without getting wet? White Sands National Park typical hires one to two SCA interns each year who support youth outreach, visitor services, resource management, and more. White Sands National Monument (park) is an awesome and unbelievable place. We work to create comprehensive guides to the national parks and lands. Enjoy the radiance of the dunes beneath a full moon on these special night of extended park hours. When you’re done with the Adventure Pack return it to the Visitors Center. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Ultimate Guide to White Sands National Park, featuring things to do in White Sands National Park along with hotels & restaurants near White Sands National Park. Until the end of 2019, it was a monument, and now it has upgraded into a national park by the USA government. White Sands National Park is an American national park located in the state of New Mexico and completely surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range.The park covers 145,762 acres (227.8 sq mi; 589.9 km 2) in the Tularosa Basin, including the southern 41% of a 275 sq mi (710 km 2) field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. We visited White Sands for a few hours to see this newest national park. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. we not already had a picnic earlier in the day we would have loved to have one here — covered tables are available. **Dunes Drive opens at 7:00 a.m. daily except on days when there is a monument closure. The park’s hours vary by season, however. No one wants to spend a day at White Sands stuck on the highway for three hours! Pro Tip:  Be sure to check out special, seasonal ranger-led activities when you visit White Sands. National Parks New Mexico White Sands National Park: A Beautiful New Mexico Find all the transport options for your trip from Tucson to White Sands National Park right here. White Sands National Park makes it possible to play in the sand without getting wet. The dunes at White Sands likely began to form 7,000 to 10,000 years ago as Lake Otero began to dry up, according to the park service. White Sands is a 275 square mile dunefield that is so large it can be seen from space! Don’t Miss Sunset! Located in the northern Chihuahuan Desert near Alamogordo, New Mexico, White Sands National Park is home to 275 square miles of white sand dunes. ... During missile tests, the highway to and from White Sands will be closed down for hours and sometimes even the entire day. U.S. Highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces is also closed during times of missile testing. Plan Your Visit. The park’s hours vary by season, however. The whiteness of the sand and the vastness of the sand dunes is just amazing. My favorite was the Interdune … White Sands National Park is America’s newest national park and is easily one of the most unique places we have ever been to. The park may close due to weather or road conditions in the winter. This is a neat place to visit. White Sands National Park is in southern New Mexico. There is an inherent risk in all outdoor recreation activities, the reader assumes all responsibility for their own personal safety. These campsites offer no amenities. To get to White Sands I recommend renting a car. But the lightweight, blowing sand can present unique challenges. White Sands National Monument (park) is an awesome and unbelievable place. This is also the place to watch “A Land in Motion,” a fantastic 17-minute film about White Sands and the creatures that call it home. While we have been to other sites dedicated to dunes, White Sands NP is a bit more unique. The whiteness of the sand and the vastness of the sand dunes is just amazing. Activities Stop at the Visitors Center. Check hotel deals and read reviews for Las Cruces . Effective Monday, November 16, 2020, the visitor center, park store, and park gift shop are temporarily closed until further notice. If you are heading to Arizona, check out our blog on What to See and Do in Saguaro National Park. Pack water, sunscreen. If you are driving from Las Cruces or Interstate 25 in the west, you will need to … Find the travel option that best suits you. You can find detailed hours of operation on the White Sands National Park website. There is a part where there is no cement, and you are driving on packed sand. Unlike other national parks it is not open 24 I would definitely come back here again. White Sands National Park hours change throughout the seasons. Get the best possible views of the Albuquerque area without the expense of a helicopter tour. I don’t know if this typical but during our visit the wind picked up intensely as the sun was setting and the sand was blowing everywhere, including into our eyes. Alamogordo is only 15 miles from White Sands National Park but there are fewer hotel options. White Sands National park is surrounded by protected and private land of Missile Range. After growing up living all over the United States and Europe, Sage Scott writes her travel blog from America’s Heartland in Kansas City. White Sands is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. Located in the south-central New Mexico state, these unusual dunes were made with pure gypsum (hydrous calcium sulfate) originated from very high mineral containing lakes or … Rome2rio makes travelling from Tucson to White Sands National Park easy. Your visit to White Sands will go quickly, and before you know it, you’ll be hungry. Dip low over the mighty Rio Grande while listening to commentary on the area's geology and environment from your pilot. Looking for more help planning your next adventure? These cookies do not store any personal information. The tallest Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. Help support this site by purchasing one of our National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear. Check Before you Go. Stores/Museum White Sands Visitor Center includes a museum, information desk, book store, gift shop and restrooms. If you visit White Sands with children, pick up an Adventure Pack at the Visitors Center. These dunes are unique because they are made of white gypsum sands. We all loved it so much. The next closest airport is Alburquerque International Sunport (ABQ) which is 3.5 hours from White Sands. There are no shower facilities at White Sands National Park. After more than 80 years as White Sands National Monument, Congress authorized its redesignation to a national park at theContinue reading If you aren’t lucky enough to score a campsite — or you just really like running water and indoor plumbing — stay in either Alamogordo or Las Cruces, New Mexico. The whiteness of the sand and the vastness of the sand dunes is just amazing. If you’re like me and love to sled, but hate the cold, sledding at White Sands is the perfect solution! Your email address will not be published. About an hour southwest of White Sands is the larger community of Las Cruces. With a population of more than 100,000 there is a wider range of lodging options in Las Cruces. The cheapest way to get from Carlsbad to White Sands National Park costs only $91, and the quickest way takes just 9 hours. Our goal with this national park blog is to inspire your next national park visit. Website aa.com Flights from Midland/Odessa to Roswell via The whiteness of the sand and the vastness of the sand dunes is just amazing. These road closures can last up to three hours, so plan ahead by visiting the army website or calling 575.678.1178. White Sands National Park Visitor Center and Gift Shop, Dunes Drive, hiking trails, picnic areas, sledding and restrooms are open to the public. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Check availability and hotel rates in Alamogordo When is White Sands National Monument open? 2019 visitors: 608,785 Already a national monument for decades, White Sands in New Mexico is America's newest national park, designated in December 2019. Please visit the SCA website for information how to apply to internship opportunities and for current openings at White Sands National Park. Closing hours adjust seasonally with sunset. Hours:7am-9pm Jun-Aug, to sunset Sep-May. The long was line but it went quick. with a camel there when we went, but no one was riding it. Cleaning out the car was rough after... and sand even got underneath the soles of our hiking boots. There are many other opportunities to stretch your legs at White Sands, from the Playa and Dune Life Nature Trails to the Backcountry Camping and sneakily named Alkali Flat Trails. Our grandchildren were even interested in how the sand was formed from the gypsum found in the area. White Sands National Park is located about 1 hour east of Las Cruces NM, 1.5 hours north of El Paso TX, and just under 4 hours south of Albuquerque NM. It’s a great family activity! Backcountry camping is the most primitive form of camping, and you must be well-prepared to ensure a successful experience. Please choose a different date. White Sands National Park is located in southwestern New Mexico, about 16 miles southwest of the small city of Alamogordo, and 52 miles northeast of the larger city of Las Cruces, both of which offer ample lodging options. Unlike most national parks and monuments, White Sands National Park allows pets as long as they are on a 6 ft. leash. Visitors on a tight schedule are encouraged to call the monument at 575-479-6124 the day before arrival to confirm hours of operation. All sales and percentage site revenue include a donation to help support the National Parks. White Sands National Monument (park) is an awesome and unbelievable place. more, Recommended experiences in and around New Mexico. Pro Tip:  Before you set out on one of the trails, be sure you have plenty of water and these additional important items. This post has everything you need to know before you go, and the best things to do in If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It’s actually just an hour from the Texas border. National Park Shirts, Poster, and other gear, National Park Obsessed Facebook Group here, White Sands Chihuahuan Desert Native Plant Garden FIeld Journal. It is so much fun and unique! Help plan your visit to White Sands. You take your sled and slide down the sand drifts just like it was snow, only it is a lot hotter! Hotels near (ABQ) Albuquerque Intl Airport, Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Ride at Sunrise, Albuquerque Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight. Like an ocean wave of rare white crystal gypsum sand-White Sands National Monument in the desert of New Mexico is known for dramatic landscapes of rare white gypsum sand dunes.In 2019 White Sands Nat, White Sands National Monument (park) is an awesome and unbelievable place. Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas is 192 miles from White Sands, which is about a three-hour drive. Photos don’t do it justice - you have to see it in person and walk the sand dunes to believe how beautiful i, We took a day trip from Ruidoso to White Sands, detouring to Cloudcroft on the way. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. White Sands is located in south central New Mexico. It contains the largest gypsum dune field on Earth. Park Hours and Admission. Here the powdery, white gypsum dunes not only look like snow, but they behave somewhat like snow too! Here you can grab information on daily events, refill your water bottle*, and explore the interactive museum. White Sands opens daily at 7:00 am every day of the year except Christmas (December 25). Your email address will not be published. White Sands National Park Visitor Center is located on U.S. Highway 70, 16 miles south of Alamogordo, New Mexico. Pro Tip:  To experience the Native Plant Garden from anywhere in the world, download the White Sands Chihuahuan Desert Native Plant Garden FIeld Journal or listen to the 23-minute Audio Tour. White Sands National Monument (park) is an awesome and unbelievable place. Book now and pay later with Expedia. Our dog loves to run, dig, and play in Those white slopes are glistening with grains of sand, not snowflakes. Save on popular hotels near White Sands National Park in New Mexico: Browse Expedia's selection of {location.lodging.hotelCount} hotels and places to stay closest to White Sands National Park. Pro Tip:  While you’re at the Visitors Center, have your child inquire about White Sands’ free Junior Ranger program. We had a great time digging our feet in the sand, taking photos, and visually taking it in. Coming from the snow, it was a fun change to sled on the sand. The closest larger airport is located an hour and a half away from White Sands National Park in El Paso, TX. So, be sure to check the official national park website before you go. You are encouraged to conduct your own due diligence before acting on the information provided on this site and should not rely on the opinions expressed here. National Park Obsessed is your guide to the national parks. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. There’s nothing quite like the desert in the spring, when wildflowers and yucca are in bloom, but the plant garden is pretty and full of color anytime between mid-March and November. The adobe pueblo building at the entrance of the White Sands National Park is a great first stop. This national park is amazing, a must see, feels unreal, the feeling of the sand is amazing. By heading out at sunrise in a hot air balloon, you'll be able to watch and snap photos as the sun's first rays fall on the dramatic landscape of the Sandia Mountains. There are more than 60 covered picnic tables along Dunes Drive. If you headed to the Chihuahuan Desert and forget to pack a snow sled, don’t worry! Hours and Fees As of January 1, 2020 the fees at White Sands increase to: $25 per vehicle $20 per motorcycle $15 per person The hours at White Sands vary by the seasons. Price:per vehicle/motorcycle $20/10 or adult/child under 16yr $10/free, whichever is less. You can find detailed hours of operation on the White Sands National Park website. To get to White Sands I recommend renting a car. It’s also near the Mescalero Reservation, the San Andres White Sands National Park is the largest gypsum sand dune in the world, with sparkling white dunes rolling over 275 square miles. The visitor center has good selection, but you have to know what you want, as they won't let anyone in to browse. We loved the views! * There is no water available anywhere inside White Sands National Park once you leave the Visitors Center, so do NOT skip this step! White Sands National Park, New Mexico Glistening white slopes extend as far as the eye can see. It was elevated to a National Park on December , 2019. White Sands National Park in New Mexico is known for its rare white gypsum sand dunes of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Facilities/Features. White Sands National Park is home to more than 800 different animal species, but we need your help to keep them safe and healthy!. They are available on a first come, first served basis and include binoculars, an animal track guide, compass, and a bunch of other goodies that make exploring and learning about White Sands fun. Adventure seekers should consider camping at one of the ten backcountry campsites at White Sands National Park . We will also try the sledding next time. The information contained in this site is provided with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. Backcountry Camping. Estimated Drive time to White Sands National Park. Not seeing the sunset is my #1 regret, and it should definitely belong on your list … The dunes might look peaceful but they are active and full of life. Check the park's website for current hours of operation. It was once a national monument and became a national park in December 2019. The cheapest way to get from Carlsbad to White Sands National Park costs only $91, and the quickest way takes just 9 hours. The nearest large city with an international airport is El Paso, Texas. There was a guy. At a minimum, take 20-30 minutes to complete the is a half-mile (650m) stroll through the dunes. The cheapest way to get from Midland to White Sands National Park costs only $47, and the quickest way takes just 6 hours. My toddler loved playing in the “giant sandbox” & sledding down the sand dunes! Also, there are bathrooms everywhere in the park, except for the front of the park by the visitor center (due to Covid-19). White Sands National Park is the home of the world's largest gypsum dune field; nearly 275 sq. A 20 minute drive northeast of White Sands, Alamogordo has a population of 30,000 and offers a range of national chain and local accommodations. Download for free to enhance your experience in MSFS 2020. From the midwestern city affectionately called the Paris of the Plains, she shares her travel experiences and provides helpful travel tips on her blog. White Sands National Park is an amazing place to visit and the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The fine, powder-soft texture is mesmerizing to sift through your fingers and fun to dig. Do not disturb wildlife just for a … Commemorate your virtual visit to White Sands National Park by printing out this cancellation stamp for your Passport To Your National Parks. There is only one entrance to White Sands National Park along US-70. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 24 hours in White Sands National Park White Sands opens daily at 7:00 am every day of the year except Christmas (December 25). Pro Tip:  If you want to avoid the crowds, visit White Sands National Park in January when crowds are the smallest. Find operating hours and fee, permit, reservation and pet information as well as park regulations and current conditions here. It is about 3.5 hours from Albuquerque International Airport and less than two hours from El Paso International Airport. There’s so much to see and do in the area that you’ll find that there will always be a reason to stop by White Sands and explore. The sand is just as soft as at the beach. From the visitor center drive the 16-mile scenic drive, which loops into the heart of the world's largest gypsum dune field, covering 275 sq miles. These include additional adventures like the full moon hike, Lake Lucero Tour, or sunrise photography walk. Rome2rio makes travelling from Midland to White Sands National Park easy. These massive white dunes are located in southern New Mexico. The texture of pure, gypsum sand is like no other sand you’ll ever experience. Saguaro National Park is located about 4 hours away from White Sands National Park and is a good place to couple with a trip to White Sands. In early 2019 we had an opportunity to visit and it was breathtaking. You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to White Sands. 24 hours in White Sands National Park. The park almost always opens at 7:00 am. Activities at White Sands National Monument for Families Sledding at White Sands National Monument. Park Hours and Admission White Sands National Park is open every day of the year, except for Christmas Day.