National park · New Mexico

White Sands National Park

The largest gypsum dunefield on Earth — 275 square miles of brilliant white sand in the Tularosa Basin — preserved alongside fossilized human footprints that push known North American occupation back to roughly 23,000 years ago.

Entrance
$25 private vehicle
Hours
7:00AM - Sunset daily Standard Park Hours
Established
December 20, 2019
Region
Desert Southwest
White Sands National Park
Photo: NPS Photo · Public domain (US National Park Service)
The White Sands National Park patch

The real park boundary. Scout checks whether your phone is inside this line.

Collect it

Scout adds White Sands National Park to your collection when your phone is inside the park boundary. Already been? A photo you took there counts too.

Collect White Sands in Scout

Free on iPhone and Android.

History

White Sands National Park is home to the largest gypsum dunefield on Earth, showcasing unique geological and ecological features. It has a rich history of human habitation dating back over 12,000 years, including evidence of Paleo-Indians and later cultures.

Key events

  1. January 18, 1933White Sands National Monument established by President Herbert Hoover.
  2. December 20, 2019Redesignated as White Sands National Park by Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
  3. July 16, 1945Trinity nuclear test detonated 60 miles north on the same gypsum dune field; the test site is now Trinity National Historic Landmark.

Trails

  • Alkali Flat Trail 4.5 mi · Moderate
  • Dune Life Nature Trail 1 mi · Moderate
  • Interdune Boardwalk 0.4 mi · Easy
  • Playa Trail 0.5 mi · Easy
  • Backcountry Camping Trail 2 mi · Easy

Plan your visit

Hours · Standard Park Hours

7:00AM - Sunset, every day

The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm

Entrance fees

  • Private Vehicle $25
  • Per Person $15
  • Motorcycle $20

Fees and hours as of May 2026. Check current details on NPS.gov

When to go

  • Fall. Mild weather, fewer crowds, less wind, ideal conditions
  • Spring. Wildflowers, pleasant temps, but windy season
  • Winter. Quiet, peaceful, unique winter photography
  • Summer. Very hot 100°F+, moonlight and sunset programs

Wildlife

Kit foxesBleached earless lizardsWhite Sands pupfishRoadrunnersCoyotesJackrabbitsOryxRattlesnakes

Nearby patches

Collect White Sands in Scout