White Sands National Park: Beautiful and Alien in the Best Way

I recently scheduled a backpacking trip in Arizona for Thanksgiving, and included White Sands National Park in my itinerary. I am always determined to cram in as many national park visits and outdoor hikes as possible. As a result, I decided to drive the 16 hours from Dallas rather than flying (while listening to my favorite podcasts, of course).

For those who are determined to get the most out of a trip like this, you can fit in three-to-five national parks on your drive from Dallas to central Arizona. These include:

Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Carlsbad Caverns
White Sands National Park
Saguaro National Park
Petrified Forest National Park (the farthest stretch out of the 5)

Unfortunately, due to a slight head cold and winter weather, I was only able to hit 3 of these parks on this road trip. No worries, that’s still a huge achievement in my books. I hope to cover the rest of these national parks in the future!

In this guide, I’ll describe my favorite aspects of White Sands National Park and what to do there. From serene sights to silly dune surfing, there’s nothing like a gorgeous alien landscape to help you escape.

Entering White Sands National Park

As I looked for the entrance, I saw the sand dunes first. This park contains about 227 square miles of gypsum dunes, comprising the northern tip of the Chihuahuan Desert. When I first arrived, it brought up childhood nostalgia from the beaches of southern California – except there’s no water in sight. The sand is clean, soft, and bright. As always with national parks, be prepared to encounter lines if you visit during the holidays or summertime!

Drop by the gift shop to purchase a sled before you head into the park. You can buy them brand-new for a pretty penny, or used for slightly less. Honestly, the best way for you to save money on a sled is to buy one from the store before you head to the park. They won’t stop you from using your own sleds from home, either.

Although the park covers an extremely large area of land, most of it is closed to the public; you require a permit to enter that area. However, the public area is still big enough that you will be able to find solitude in the park. If you’re willing to walk far enough away from the main road, it can feel like you’re the only human being for miles.

Hiking White Sands National Park

There’s something magical and wild about just going for it on the sand dunes – not a trail to be seen. I enjoyed wandering aimlessly (secretly searching for the best dune-sledding location) through the park during my visit. However, there are 5 established trails in the park, and each of them presents a beautiful element of the park that you might miss otherwise.

The trails range from easy to moderate on AllTrails (all of which I will link for you below). Just remember to wear sunscreen (sand does reflect light back up into your face, even if you are wearing a hat) and you’ll be good to explore all day!

Interdune Boardwalk – 0.4 miles (650m)

The boardwalk is fully accessible for all ages and abilities. Plus, there’s a ton of educational information posted on signage through the walk. There’s also a place to take a break in the shade, sit on a bench, and watch for wildlife.

Playa Trail – 0.5 miles (800m)

This trail is very even and easy to complete. You can check out the many outdoor exhibits set up along the trail that educate on the history and formation of the park. Lastly, at the end of the trail lies a small playa (dried-up lake bed).

Dune Life Nature Trail – 1.0 miles (1.6km)

You are more likely to see wildlife on this trail than others on the list. While still easy, you will have to climb two steep sand dunes on this loop.

Backcountry Camping Trail – 2.0 miles (3.5km)

Backpackers use this 2-mile round trip hike frequently to reach the camping area, but anyone can appreciate the stunning views. There are several sand dunes to ascend, and no shade. You came to the desert; here’s where you can truly experience the desert.

Alkali Flat Trail – 5.0 miles (8km)

Lastly, we have the Alkali Flat Trail. Despite its name, this trail is not flat. For immersive desert experience, and a true challenge, try this hike out. Make sure to pack water and sun protection before you head out. The trail consists of sand dunes most of the way. You will be skirting around the remnants of Lake Otero during the hike as well – a unique view you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Other Necessary Info:

Park Hours: 7:00am-6:00pm every day (excluding December 25th).

Entrance Fees/Reservation Info:

$25.00 per private vehicle
$15.00 per person
$20.00 per motorcycle
$45.00 annual vehicle pass
$80.00 America the Beautiful annual park pass:

Driving Through: You can drive 16 miles out-and-back in White Sands National Park. The first 5 miles in are paved, and the last 3 are hard-packed gypsum. If you don’t stop, it’ll take you about 45 minutes.

Weather throughout the Year: