One Day in White Sands National Park Itinerary
Explore of our nation’s newest protected spaces with this comprehensive one day in White Sands National Park itinerary!
While designing our huge South Carolina to Arizona road trip, I knew that we had to spend some time near Alamogordo, New Mexico.
The main reason? Because that’s where White Sands National Park is.
Previously known as White Sands National Monument, the property became White Sands National Park in 2020, making it the 62nd national park.
Today, visitors from around the world come to see the otherworldly beauty of the ever-changing sand dunes and the plants and animals that call it home.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your one day in White Sands National Park.
The Camping Kiddos exploring White Sands National Park
What is the Best Time to Visit White Sands National Park?
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As with any national park, timing your visit is crucial to getting the most out of your experience.
White Sands National Park stretches over 176,000 acres (or 275 miles), but only a small portion of that is easily accessible during a one day visit.
So, you’ll want to ensure that you’re going at the right time of the year to explore.
The peak season for White Sands is in the early spring (February-March) and late fall (October-November), when the temperatures are pleasant during the day and night.
However, these times are also the most visited, so you’ll be competing for time and space along with all of the other visitors.
Instead, I’d suggest delaying your visit until late spring (the end of April to mid-May), which is a shoulder season for the park—and New Mexico in general.
Doing so ensures that you’ll still have relatively nice temperatures, a low chance of rain, and much, much more space to explore.
If you’re trying to visit over your kids’ summer holidays, keep in mind that July, August, and September are known as monsoon season.
The park gets relatively heavy rainfall during this period, but it also sees a significant uptick in lightning storms.
As you can imagine, you don’t want to be on top of a 30 foot tall sand dunes during a lightning storm, so those can quickly ruin a day’s visit.
My dad and kids as they explore the dunes near mile marker 6
Suggested White Sands National Park Itinerary
NOTE: As the park is adjacent to an active military base—Holloman Air Force Base—there are regularly scheduled closings of the highway outside of the national park.
These closings are done with the base needs to do missile testing.
Before you determine what day you’ll visit White Sands National Park, please check the posted schedule as a road closure and/or missile testing will affect the suggest scheduling below.
Typically, the closures are in the morning from 7 AM-9 AM; some times, you’ll be able to use US 70 past the park. Other times, the entire area is closed to thru traffic.
If this is your first trip to a national park, you’ll want to read through my comprehensive guide to the U.S. National Parks for beginners, which explains in detail everything from how the Junior Rangers program works to how to nab accommodations in the parks.
One Day Park Itinerary
Morning Activities at White Sands National Park
So much sledding, so little time!
Start your day with an early morning.
To capitalize on your one day in the park, you’ll want to beat the crowds and arrive just as the park is opening.
Plus, going early means that the weather will be cool enough to explore the dunes comfortably.
Typically, the park and the entrance kiosk open at 7 AM, unless a scheduled missile test is occurring.
Check daily opening times at the national park here.
The visitors center doesn’t open until 9 AM (usually), so you’ll want to head straight into the park first.
The park’s 275 square miles is largely inaccessible by the average visitor, so we’re mostly concerned with the park’s one and only access road, and what we can accomplish from there.
Little desert blooms in the dunes
The road that cuts through the southern section of the park is called Dunes Drive, and it is an 8 mile out-and-back road with a small loop at the northernmost part.
If you do nothing else at White Sands, drive the entirety of Dunes Drive.
Doing this will allow you to see the immensity of the dunes, and the sheer quantity of them.
However, to really get a feel for the park, you’re going to want to get out of the car!
While the weather is cool in the morning, you can go for a hike or two (see suggestions in the “What to Do in White Sands National Park” section).
If you have kids, you’re going to want to devote most of your time to sledding down the dunes.
We have ALL of the tips for the best White Sands sledding tips here!
Whether you hike or sled around Dunes Drive, you’ll notice that the sand here is cool underfoot, no matter the time of day.
That’s because the sand is actually gypsum, which reflects sunlight and stays cool.
Mid-Day Activities at White Sands National Park
Setting up for lunch in the Primrose picnic area
If you’re visiting during the spring, summer, or fall, you’ll feel the heat as the sun hits its apex.
Now is a great time to head into one of the picnic areas and have lunch.
The park doesn’t have an on-site restaurant or snack counter, so your two options for lunch are either to pack a picnic or head out of the park.
Your 2 closest towns are either White Sands, NM, or Alamogordo, NM, but only Alamogordo has any food options.
Alamogordo, NM, is 20 minutes to the northeast, and it offers everything from Buffalo Wild Wing’s to Del Taco.
In order to maximize your time at the park, however, I recommend packing a picnic and eating at the Primrose Picnic Area.
Primrose is the first picnic area you come to in the park (it’s on the right around mile 4), and it’s also has the fewest number of tables.
Each of the tables has a curved metal shade, so you can eat without sand and sun getting on you.
Afternoon Activities at White Sands National Park
As the temperatures increase into the early afternoon, I’d recommend heading back to the visitors center.
Doing so allows you to beat the heat of mid-day, while also learning more about this incredible park.
My daughter works on her Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitors Center
Junior Ranger Program
At the visitors center, kids can pick up their Junior Ranger booklets.
At White Sands National Park, the Junior Ranger booklets are free (unlike some parks, like the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which cost a few dollars each).
My 6- and 9-year-olds enjoyed the activities for their age group, making this an easy add-on to the day.
I’d highly recommend hanging out on the covered front porch of the center while the kids complete their pages.
Afterwards, they can take their Junior Ranger pledges from the ranger at the front desk and get their wooden pinnable badges.
Visitors Center History
The visitors center building itself is fascinating as it was built in the Pueblo Revival style, popular in the 1920s and 1930s.
The visitors center and nearby administrative buildings are all protected buildings due to their beautifully preserved architecture and historic significance.
Like many of the buildings and infrastructure in the U.S. national parks system, the buildings were constructed by the WPA during the Great Depression.
Learn more about the White Sands National Park Visitors Center history here.
Interpretive Materials
Don’t miss out on the film and small interpretive museum inside the visitors center.
Doing so will help you realize that there’s so much more to White Sands than the dunes themselves.
The film lasts about 15 minutes and runs continuously throughout the day.
In late afternoon, you can venture out again for additional hiking and sledding as you watch the sunset colors shift across the sand dunes.
Evening Activities at White Sands National Park
If you want to see the park from a new perspective, stay until sunset and beyond.
Sunset Stroll
Most evenings, a ranger hosts a sunset stroll through White Sands.
Here, you’ll learn about the dunes habitat, and the plants and animals that call this unique place home.
To join, you don’t need reservations: just show up at the sign near mile 5.
Be prepared to walk a little over a mile, mostly on the dunes.
Check the White Sands Sunset Stroll schedule here.
Full Moon Night
For most of the animals at White Sands, nighttime is active time. Stay after dark for a chance to see lizards, snakes, and foxes that are normally hidden to most visitors.
Once a month, there’s even a full moon party, where the park stays open late for visitors to see the ways that moonlight plays on the sand.
Visitors can stay an extra 2 hours after the usual closing time to watch the moon rise and hear a local band play in the ampitheatre at mile 7.
After you’ve fully explored White Sands National Park, head back to your Alamogordo hotel or to the Alamogordo/White Sands KOA (one of the best New Mexico campgrounds!).
Expand your visit with a road trip from Santa Fe to White Sands through the heart of New Mexico!
What to Do in White Sands NM
While the stars of the show in White Sands, New Mexico, are the dunes themselves, you’ll be doing yourself a disservice by simply driving through.
Here are the best things to do in White Sands National Park at a glance.
Heading into the park on Dunes Drive
Dunes Drive
This park loop carries visitors into the heart of the sand dunes along an 8 mile road.
Signposts along the way indicate the distance from the admissions kiosk, so you’ll notice that everything is noted at what mile marker they occur.
Along the way, you’ll find hard packed parking lots, picnic areas, trailheads, and more.
Picnicking
The park doesn’t offer any onsite snack counter or cafe, so you’ll need to bring your own water, food, and snacks.
Settle into one of the many picnic benches in the 3 picnic areas: Primrose, Roadrunner, and Yucca.
While the only “real” toilets are in the visitors center, you’ll also find vault toilets throughout the park. Several are in the picnic areas.
See even more NPS sites on our New Mexico national parks road trip itinerary!
Hiking
Hiking in the park is so peaceful!
While hiking might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re considering visiting a field of gypsum dunes, it’s a great way to get out into the environment.
See below for our suggestions on hiking in White Sands National Park.
Visitors Center
The Camping Kiddos crew at the Visitors Center (notice that the sign hasn’t been changed from Monument to National Park!)
Any visit to White Sands needs to include a stop by the visitors center.
While you’ll purchase admission at the small entrance kiosk outside (and not in the visitors center itself), there’s still plenty to do in the center itself.
Get an overview of the park’s history, flora, and fauna with the park film.
It runs continuously throughout the day; you’ll also hear announcements throughout the center when the film is restarting.
There’s a small museum there where you can learn about the native people’s ties to this property, the geological features that made this park possible, and the ways that the park continues to expand.
Plus, the building itself is architecturally relevant! The visitors center—along with the nearby administrative buildings—was constructed in the Pueblo Revival style between 1936 and 1940.
They are all federally protected as a historic district.
Junior Ranger Program
My Junior Rangers at their swearing in ceremony
It’s a free way to help your kids learn more about the park!
(Actually, anyone can join the Junior Ranger program—even the young at heart.)
We do these at all of the national parks we go to as they encourage education, conservation, and environmental awareness.
Grab a booklet for each of your kids at the visitors center front desk. There will be specific activities for each age group.
Once your child completes all of the relevant activities, head back to the front desk to have a ranger look over it.
If everything has been completed successfully, your child will take the Junior Ranger pledge and get a wooden badge unique to White Sands National Park.
Ranger Talks
Ask at the front desk about the daily ranger programs.
While there are seasonal programs on everything from the lizards in the park to the effects of wind on the dunes, the park offers a series of regularly scheduled programs.
These include the daily sunset stroll and the monthly Full Moon Night and Full Moon Hikes.
Sand Sledding
This activity will have you feeling like a kid again!
And if you’re visiting with little ones, expect to hear, “Can we go sledding again?” for the entire day!
For more information on where to get sleds, the best places to go sledding, and more, check out our White Sands Sledding Tips and Tricks here.
Stargazing
If you’re able, stick around the park until after sunset to see how the desert looks at night!
Plus, the park is one of New Mexico’s dark sky locations, meaning you’ll get an unparalleled look at the stars.
Each month, the park hosts a Full Moon Night, where a local band comes to play for 2 hours after the park usually ends (so, if it typically closes at 9 PM, visitors can stay until 11 PM).
The night before a full moon, the park also offers a ranger-led full moon hike. This experience requires tickets that are available on Recreation.gov.
The full moon hike is held each month March through November.
Otherwise, if you’d like to stay late into the night for stargazing or night photography, you’ll need to apply for a nighttime permit, which allows you to stay up to 2 hours after sunset.
Hiking in White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park hikes provide a great way for your family to get out into the dune field that doesn’t involve a sled.
Hiking on the Alkali Flats Trail
Many of the hikes below have interpretive signs to help you better understand what you’re seeing in the dunes.
All of the recommended hikes are short and kid-friendly.
However, I highly recommend carrying water bottles or backpacks with water bladders even on the short hikes.
The desert environment can be harsh between the dry climate, the lack of shade, and the wind coming over the dunes.
You’ll also want to use a hat and sunscreen. A long sleeved sun shirt is also recommended.
Use our kids hiking gear guide (with free printable checklist) to make sure you’ve got everything you and your family need for a safe, fun day on the dunes.
Best hikes in White Sands National Park
Dune Life Nature Trail
Length: 1-mile loop
Difficulty: easy
This 1-mile loop trail takes visitors along a path with multiple interpretive signs about the animals that call the park home.
The trailhead is one of the first things you’ll come to along Dunes Drive.
There’s also a vault toilet at the trailhead.
Interdune Boardwalk
Length: 0.4 mile out and back
Difficulty: easy
This 0.4 mile out and back trail is great for families with little kids or visitors who want to see the dunes without getting gypsum sand on them.
The boardwalk is raised for ease of access.
Find the trailhead just before the pavement on Dunes Drive ends.
Alkali Flats Trail
Length: 5-mile loop
Difficulty: moderate
Located at the furthest north point on Dunes Drive, the trailhead to Alkali Flats is located in the parking lot at the top left portion of the drive’s loop.
Alkali Flats is a 5 mile loop, and, like all of the other trails on this list, it has no shade.
You will need to prepare for this hike, as it is the longest of the suggested hikes here.
I’d recommend going as early in the morning as possible so that you’ll be able to complete the majority of the hike before the heat of the day starts.
That being said, this is a wonderful way to get away from the crowds and into the dunes.
You’ll be amazed at how quiet everything gets as soon as you’re away from the traffic!
Note that this trail is moderate to difficult: you’ll be walking up and down dunes for the entirety of the hike.
For hikers used to tree blazes, you’ll be surprised to see long poles as trail markers in the sand.
This trail is beautiful as hikers will get to the edge of the visitor-accessible portion of the park.
The dunes here are largely untouched by the crowds, and they are some of the largest in the park.
Explore beyond the park with our favorite places to visit near White Sands NM!
White Sands National Park FAQs
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White Sands National Park is located in southern New Mexico. It is 20 minutes west of Alamogordo, NM, and 3 hours and 49 minutes south of Santa Fe.
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The gypsum dune field at White Sands National Park is the largest in the world, covering 275 square miles or 176,000 acres.
While most of this area will be inaccessible to the average visitor, the park does offer backcountry camping and hiking for anyone prepared to undertake an overnight stay in this harsh environment.
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Yes! White Sands National Park is great for a one day visit. During that time, you can sled, take several short hikes, explore the visitors center, and picnic.
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Yes, White Sands National Park is well worth a visit on your New Mexico adventures!
The massive gypsum dune filed shimmers against the nearby mountains. Once you’re in the dune fields, you’ll be dazzled by the stark white, rolling dunes, which look otherworldly.
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Yes, White Sands National Park does allow RVs and travel trailers in the park. Dunes Drive is a level 2-lane road that will fit smaller travel trailers, pop-ups, Class B’s, and Class C’s.
The parking lots are wide, making it easy to park and turn around if you’re pulling a trailer or driving an oversized vehicle.
