LAST UPDATED:  3/11/24 – White Sands Visitor Guide

White Sands National Park is lesser-known than some of the other national parks and monuments of the American Southwest, but it is an absolute gem.  Some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets I have ever seen have been in White Sands.  The color of the landscape in the setting or rising sun is strikingly beautiful.

If you are planning a visit to White Sands National Park, you are in luck.  In my White Sands Visitor Guide, I am going to give you all of the information that you will need to plan a memorable trip to this beautiful park.  In this guide, I will cover the top things to see and do in White Sands National Park, where to stay while you visit, some of the other nearby attractions that you can see, and when it is best to visit the park.

White Sands National Park Guide Navigation Menu

How to Get to White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is located in Southwest New Mexico near the town of Alamogordo.  There is a regional airport located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, but if you are looking to fly into a major airport then I would recommend you look at either El Paso, Texas, or Albuquerque, New Mexico, which are the closest cities to international airports.  For an idea of where White Sands is located in the United States, please refer to the location map I included in my White Sands Visitor Guide below.

When we visited, we flew into El Paso so that we would be close enough to drive to see Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, as well as Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico as well. 

However, if you fly into Tucson it will put you right next to Saguaro National Park and other interesting attractions such as Tombstone, Arizona  (location of the infamous gunfight at the OK Corral) and the Cochise Stronghold in the Coronado National Forest.  For some ideas on how to get to White Sands National Park, please refer to the driving map I included in my White Sands Visitor Guide below.

View Larger Map

Pro Tip:  If you are using GPS to navigate to White Sands, make sure you input “White Sands National Park”.  If you input “White Sands” the GPS may take you to the White Sands Missile Range, which is 25 miles West of the park.

Best Time to Visit White Sands National Park

Before planning your trip to White Sands, one thing you will want to take into account is what type of weather to expect during your visit.  Knowing the average temperature and amount of rainfall to be expected during the season you visit will help you be prepared.

Average Monthly Temperature (F)

While there really isn’t a bad time of year to visit White Sands, the park does get extremely hot during the summer months. So, if you would like to avoid really hot daytime temperatures, I would avoid visiting between June and August. The evenings can get chilly during the winter months of December through February, but the weather warms up during the daytime.

Average Monthly Precipitation (Inches)

White Sands National Park doesn’t get a ton of rain throughout the year. However, most of the precipitation that it does get tends to come during the summer and early autumn. So, if you would like to maximize the nice weather during your visit, I would avoid the period between early July and late September.

Average Monthly Visitors (in 1,000’s)

Because of the temperate climate in New Mexico, White Sands National Park gets a steady stream of visitors throughout the year. However, the busiest months of the year tend to be in late spring and early summer. So, if you would like to avoid the crowds, I would plan your trip between August and February.

White Sands National Park Resources

Download the PDF Park Map

I have done my best to provide you with as much information as you will need to plan your trip to White Sands in this visitor guide. However, there is never such thing as too many resources. For that reason, I have linked to some of the most useful resources from the National Park Service below.

• Fees and Passes
• Permits and Reservations
• Park Maps
• Park Ranger Programs
• Backcountry Camping
• Hiking in the Park
• Driving Dunes Drive
• Other Nearby Attractions
• Plants, Animals, and Geology of White Sands

Top Things to See and Do at White Sands

White Sands National Park is a stunning landscape.  So much so that you will likely spend a great deal of time at first just taking in the beautiful scenery.  It is breathtaking, especially at sunrise and sunset.  We have outlined some great things to do at White Sands below, as well as included links to some other helpful resources for planning your trip.

Sunrise and Sunset Pictures

White Sands is a stunning landscape as it is, but at sunrise and sunset, its beauty is jaw-dropping.  If we are to give you any one piece of advice for visiting White Sands National Park, it would be to make sure you get up early to catch the sunrises and stay to watch the sunsets.  Believe us, you will not regret the extra effort.

Take a Hike

White Sands is a beautiful place to take a hike.  Believe it or not, it really isn’t all that difficult to walk on the sand.  There is a water table just below the surface at White Sands that holds the sand from blowing away.  This same water table makes it much easier to walk on the sand than if you were walking on dry sand dunes.

One piece of advice we cannot stress enough though is to make sure you bring enough water on your hike.  This is especially true during the hot months of June through September.  Whatever you think you will need, make sure you bring more.

Backcountry Camping

Camping at White Sands National Park can be a very memorable experience.  Sleeping among the white sand dunes under the stars is so peaceful and beautiful.  And, it is a very affordable option for accommodations.  If you would like to camp out at White Sands National Park, we have included a list of things you will need to know below.

• Car and RV camping is not permitted in White Sands
• The campgrounds are backcountry and require you to hike at least a mile to reach the camping areas
• Camp cost is $3.00 per person for individuals over 16 years old, and $1.50 per person for everyone under 16 years old.
• Follow the orange trail markers for the backcountry camping trail to locate the camping areas.
• Be cautious of using GPS as it can be an unreliable guide in the backcountry

Alamogordo

Alamogordo is approximately 16 miles Northeast and is the closest city to White Sands National Park.  You will find hotels and restaurants in the city, making it a great place to unwind after a busy day exploring White Sands.

If you are looking for some other activities in the area to supplement your trip, there are some other cool things to do and see in the Alamogordo area that are worth checking out.  We have included a list of some ideas for you below.

• New Mexico Museum of Space History
• Desert Lakes Golf Course
• Desert Foothills Park
• Tunnel Vista Observation Site

Where to Stay Near White Sands National Park

Campgrounds

When visiting the national parks and monuments of the United States, it is a really neat experience to camp out during your visit. Some of the best campgrounds in America can be found inside the country’s national parks and monuments and the surrounding areas.

This is especially true of the White Sands National Park, which has incredible night skies and amazing sunrises and sunsets. If you are interested in camping out during your visit, I have included a map of some area campgrounds for you to review in my White Sands National Park guide below.

Hotels

If camping is not your speed, you need not worry as there are a variety of good hotels for you to choose from in the area as well. The closest hotels and motels are located in the nearby city of Alamogordo, New Mexico. The city is only 15 miles from the park, so it is a very convenient place to stay during your visit. 

If you are planning a trip to White Sands and need to find accommodations, I have included some recommended options at various price points for you to review below.

View Larger Map

White Sands National Park Tours

For those who are looking to maximize their experience at White Sands National Park, there are some wonderful audio guides available. If you are interested, I linked to two popular ones I recommend in my White Sands National Park Guide below.

White Sands National Park Photo Gallery

Here are just some of the stunning pictures we were able to capture in White Sands National Park.  It really is a photographer’s dream.

If you’re interested in exploring more of my travel photography, I’d love for you to join me on Instagram! Creating this blog to share my free guides, itineraries, and travel photography tips takes a lot of effort, and a follow on Instagram would truly mean the world to me. Your support makes it all worthwhile!

FOLLOW ME!

• Instagram

Don’t Forget to Subscribe to My Adventures!

Let Me Help You Save On Your Next Adventure!

‘Start Exploring Today’ Merchandise Available Now!