White Sands National Park
Alamogordo, NM
Wave-like dunes of gypsum that stay cool underfoot. Buy a sled at the visitor center.
In the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, between the San Andres and Sacramento Mountains, lies the world's largest gypsum dunefield: about 712 km² (275 square miles) of white sand. The national park protects just over 40 percent of it; the rest belongs to White Sands Missile Range. The gypsum comes from the area around Lake Lucero and Alkali Flat. The visitor center is a Spanish Pueblo–style adobe building constructed between 1936 and 1938.
Dunes Drive runs 13 km (8 miles) into the dunes; the first 8 km (5 miles) are paved, the rest is hard-packed gypsum. Allow about 45 minutes for the round trip without stops, or closer to half a day with walks and sledding. Sledding is allowed in the loop section of Dunes Drive, away from the road and plants, usually on waxed plastic saucers from the park store. Build in some slack: missile tests on the neighboring range can close Dunes Drive for up to three hours.
- Nearest town
- Alamogordo, NM
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 32.7872, -106.3257
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, May, September and December. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
© Todd Vogel slipacre · CC0West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend
© Eric Guinther, User:Marshman · CC BY-SA 3.0Chihuahuan Desert parks
© Todd Vogel slipacre · CC0White sand, bats and a rock reef: by camper from White Sands to Carlsbad and the Guadalupe Mountains
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Lake Holloman CampgroundCampsite12 mi from White Sands National ParkTentsCaravansFree
- Alamogordo / White Sands KOAMotorhome stopover23 mi from White Sands National ParkTentsMotorhomesToilets
- Shady Grove RV ParkMotorhome stopover24 mi from White Sands National ParkMotorhomes
- Oliver Lee Memorial State ParkCampsite24 mi from White Sands National Park
- Boot Hill RV ResortMotorhome stopover24 mi from White Sands National ParkMotorhomes
All campsites in New Mexico · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is White Sands National Park?
White Sands National Park is in Alamogordo, NM, at GPS 32.7872, -106.3257. It is about 36 mi from Cloudcroft.
Can you camp near White Sands National Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Lake Holloman Campground, about 12 mi away; within 25 mi there are 5 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass White Sands National Park?
White Sands National Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: West Texas and southern New Mexico: dunes, caves and Big Bend, Chihuahuan Desert parks and White sand, bats and a rock reef: by camper from White Sands to Carlsbad and the Guadalupe Mountains.
What is there to see near White Sands National Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site (62 mi), City of Rocks State Park (97 mi), Guadalupe Peak Trail (Pine Springs) (107 mi) and McKittrick Canyon (108 mi).
When is the best time to visit White Sands National Park?
The most pleasant months are usually April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in March, May, September and December. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)