For more information on White Sands, visit http://www.nps.gov/whsa 

White Sands National Park Service

Department of the Interior

White Sands National Monument

White Sands Trip Planner

Hours 

of Operation

Getting to 

the Monument

White Sands National Monument 

is located along U.S. Highway 70, 15 

miles (24 km) west of Alamogordo and 

52 miles (83 km) east of Las Cruces. 

The monument is open every day of the 

year except for Christmas, December 

25th. Dunes Drive opens and closes at 

varying times throughout the year.

Visitor center hours also change with 

the seasons. For monument hours: 

Call (575) 479-6124, ext. 236, or 

visit www.nps.gov/whsa

Park Closures Due to missile testing on the adjacent 

White Sands Missile Range, the 

monument will occasionally close for 

brief periods of time for visitor safety.

Visitors who may be on a tight 

schedule are encouraged to call ahead 

for information on closures.

Entrance Fees The monument entrance fee is $5.00 

per person ages 16 and older; children 

15 and under enter for free. Daily 

passes are valid for seven days. 

Federal recreation passes are available 

for purchase at the fee station. 

There are a variety of pass options. 

Inquire at the fee station for more 

information.

Facilities in the picnic areas are 

wheelchair accessible as is the 

Interdune Boardwalk. The sand dunes 

are wheelchair accessible to a limited 

degree. 

The free Access Pass is available 

for individuals with permanent 

disabilities. Check at the fee station 

for more information.

Disabled Visitors

Weather

Month

Avg.

High

°F

Avg.

Low

°F

Avg. 

Precip.

Inches

JAN 57 23 0.60

FEB 64 26 0.39

MAR 71 31 0.27

APR 79 40 0.29

MAY 88 49 0.49

JUN 96 58 0.89

Month

Avg.

High

°F

Avg.

Low

°F

Avg. 

Precip.

Inches

JUL 97 63 1.41

AUG 94 61 2.07

SEP 88 54 1.44

OCT 78 41 1.09

NOV 64 28 0.68

DEC 57 22 0.79

I

n the heart of the Tularosa Basin lie the glistening white sands of New 

Mexico. Here, wave-like dunes of gypsum sand cover 275 square miles of 

desert, ever changing and always advancing. White Sands National Monument 

preserves a major portion of the dunefield, along with the plants and animals 

that have adapted to this harsh environment. Visitors to southern New Mexico 

are invited to explore this vast, undulating landscape of brilliant white sand. 

The monument is 100 miles (160 km) 

from El Paso, via either Alamogordo 

or Las Cruces.
Revised 02/15/17

Seeing the Park Your first stop should be the White 

Sands Visitor Center, which includes 

a museum, an orientation video, 

information desk, and the park store and 

gift shop. Allow at least 30 minutes 

for visitor center activities. 

Numerous parking areas along Dunes 

Drive allow visitors to stop and walk 

in the white sand. Allow 45 minutes 

driving time for the 16 mile (25 km) 

round trip drive, plus additional time 

for stopping at pullouts, walking, and/or 

photography. 

Hiking 

in the Monument

Hiking opportunities in the park include 

Playa Trail, Dune Life Nature Trail, 

Interdune Boardwalk, Backcountry 

Camping Loop Trail, and Alkali Flat 

Trail. 

Ranger-Led 

Activities

Ranger-guided sunset strolls are offered 

daily year round. Additional programs 

are offered on weekends and during the 

summer. Check at the visitor center for 

the day’s activities and specific times. 

Organized groups may arrange for 

ranger-led bus or walking tours any time 

of year by contacting the monument 

a minimum of two weeks in advance.

Visit www.nps.gov/whsa for more 

information.

Picnicking 

and Camping

There are picnic areas with sheltered 

tables along Dunes Drive that are 

available on a first-come, first-served 

basis. Backpackers have the option of using 

one of our ten primitive campsites. 

Please stop by the visitor center upon 

arrival to get a backcountry camping 

permit. Please call ahead to inquire 

about the cut-off time, restrictions due 

to missile testing, and site availability. 

Call (575)479-6124, ext. 236.

An eight-mile scenic drive leaves from 

the visitor center into the heart of the 

dunes. Interpretive exhibits along the 

Park Regulations White Sands National Monument is 

a protected natural area. Removal or 

disturbance of archeological or natural 

objects, including sand, selenite crystals, 

plants, and animals, is prohibited by law.

Stay on the road and park only in 

established parking areas. 

Pets are welcome and must be leashed 

and under control at all times. Please 

pick up after your pet.

Alcohol is prohibited within the 

park from February 1st through May 

31st. Beer kegs and glass bottles are 

prohibited year round. 

Safety Tips

Pull off the road into an established 

parking area before stopping. 

Drink plenty of water! We recommend 

one gallon (4 liters) of water per person 

per day. 

Food 

and Lodging

There are no dining or lodging 

facilities in the monument. The nearest 

restaurants, motels, and gas stations are 

in Alamogordo, which is 15 miles (24 km) 

No water is available anywhere along 

Dunes Drive. Please fill up water 

containers at the public water faucet 

located near the visitor center. 

Monthly events include Lake Lucero 

tours (once a month November through 

April) and Full Moon Nights (May 

Metal detectors and fireworks are 

prohibited.

east of the monument. Refreshments 

and snacks can be purchased at the gift 

shop behind the visitor center. 

drive provide information about the 

natural history of the park. 

through October). Inquire at the visitor 

center for specific dates and times. 

There are no RV or tent campgrounds

in the park. Information on area 

Driving on the dunes is not permitted.

Speed limits are posted and enforced. 

Ground fires are prohibited.

Do not tunnel into sand dunes. 

Tunnels collapse easily and can cause 

suffocation. 

Pick sledding spots carefully. Never sled 

near or into the road, and look out for 

plants. 

Hiking alone is not recommended. 

Always tell someone where you are 

going and when you plan to return.

Off-trail hiking is not recommended 

because it is easy to become disoriented.

campgrounds can be found at the visitor 

center.

Playa Trail: Easy, level hike that leads to a 

small playa.

Length: 0.5 mile (800m) round-trip.

Dune Life Nature Trail: Family friendly, 

nature trail.

Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) round-trip.

Interdune Boardwalk: Wheelchairaccessible boardwalk that offers great 

views of theTularosa Basin.

Length: 0.4 (650m) round-trip.

Backcountry Camping Trail: Explore 

the backcountry area of the dunes.

Length: 2 miles (3.5 km) round-trip.

Alkali Flat Trail: Challenging and scenic 

hike into the heart of the dunes. Recommended for experienced hikers only.

Length: 5 miles (8 km) round-trip.

Sledding and sand surfing can cause 

injuries —be careful. 

Wear hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses. 

Bring and eat high energy snacks like 

granola bars to keep you going.