Explore White Sands National Park.
Looking for the best resources to help plan your White Sands National Park vacation?
Then you’ve come to the right place!
Hi, I’m Natalie, and I am a national parks-obsessed mom who has compiled all of the details, itineraries, dining guides, and hiking information for the perfect trip to the incredible gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park.
Whether you need to know how to spend your time here or how to go sand sledding, you’ll find it here.
I only write about places I’ve been and experiences that I’ve had, so you’re getting up-to-date advice from a parent who has been there.
White Sands at a glance
Covers 176,000 acres
Located near Alamogordo, New Mexico
Best known for its stark white gypsum dunes, which never get hot like silica sand.
Close to the Trinity Site, where the first ever nuclear detonation took place
Home to over 800 animal species, including road runners and bleached earless lizards
National Park Must Do: Sand Sledding!
While you’re in White Sands National Park with your kids, you have to make time to go sand sledding!
This fun and easy activity will have the entire family laughing and flying down the dunes.
Learn my best tips and tricks for finding the perfect dune for sledding, where to get your boards, and how to ensure your kids get the fastest rides possible.
Complete Itineraries
All you’ll need to do is book the plane tickets and hotel rooms. These complete itineraries take care of the day to day planning for you with suggestions on hotels, dining, and activities for the entire family.
Each itinerary below includes a stop at White Sands National Park.
White Sands National Park does not have any front country camping, so you’ll have to head off-site if you plan to tent camp, car camp, or RV camp.
We loved our time at the Alamogordo/White Sands KOA, which is about 20 minutes from the entrance to the national park.
Camping
White Sands Must Haves
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GuideAlong Audio Tour
We LOVE these inexpensive but excellent tours for our national parks visits. Purchase the Southwest bundle if you’re planning to visit White Sands National Park as well as nearby Carlsbad Caverns, Grand Canyon, and more! You’ll learn about each parks’ history, geology, wildlife, and important figures as you drive.
It doesn’t need wifi after you’ve downloaded the tour, and it starts and stops automatically as you approach areas of interest!
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Hiking Shoes
You can’t say you’ve visited White Sands National Park until you’ve walked out among the dunes!
Wear proper sandals while you explore to keep your feet from getting sunburn and to protect yourself from any pokes from cactus and other plants.
I also love my Keen Newport H2 hiking sandals, which are great for exploring the dunes. They dry super quickly, too!
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AllTrails + National Park Pass
Do not go to the U.S. national parks without this incredible deal!
For just a few dollars more than the cost of a regular NPS annual pass, you can get an annual AllTrail subscription and your national parks pass bundle.
Now, you’re ready to hit the trail and explore the parks!
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Garmin InReach Mini
I never go hiking without this tiny GPS attached to my pack.
Since I’m often hiking alone with my kids, the Garmin InReach gives me peace of mind that we could get help quickly if one of them (or me!) got hurt or sick on the trail.
This area of New Mexico doesn’t always have great cell reception, but you can always reach help with this unit.
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Rental Car
There’s no public transportation within White Sands National Park, so you’ll need a vehicle to get to the park and around it.
Check for the best rates at DiscoverCars.com with convenient pick-up options at all area airports.
If plans change, they also offer free cancellation up to 48 hours before you were scheduled to get your car.
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Travel Insurance
Visiting the national parks can be a trip of a lifetime, and you don’t want to let sickness or flight delays to ruin your trip.
Be sure to secure travel insurance from Visitors Coverage before you leave, and you’ll be ready for whatever life throws at you.
While you’re here…
There’s even more to do in New Mexico!
Check out our favorite family friendly campgrounds, where to find a giant pistachio, and much more.