White Sands National Park
Designation: National Park
Location: New Mexico
📘 Park Overview
Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.
🌤 Weather Information
Temperatures at White Sands vary greatly throughout the year. Summer time temperatures can be very hot. Winters are mild with cool evenings. Spring time is the windy season. Fall is very enjoyable with mild daytime and night time temperatures.
🚗 Directions
White Sands National Park is located off of US Highway 70 between the cities of Las Cruces and Alamogordo. The park is about 15 miles west of Alamogordo and 52 miles east of Las Cruces.
Images
Sunsets are one of the most popular times to visit White Sands. Visitors can experience sunset every day of the year.
Credit: NPS Photo
The dunes at White Sands cover 275 square miles of the Tularosa Basin.
Credit: NPS Photo
The wind shapes and moves the dunes as a whole but gives each individual dune the texture of ripples.
Credit: NPS Photo
Fall is a wonderful time to visit as most of our plants with leaves change beautiful colors.
Credit: NPS Photo
As the sun changes its angle through the sky it allows shadow to roll across the dunes.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Apr 29
Sunny
High: 87.8°F | Low: 59.7°F
Humidity: 11%
Wind: 24.2 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 9.2
Sunrise: 06:19 AM
Sunset: 07:45 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (93%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 55.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Apr 30
Moderate rain
High: 66.7°F | Low: 50.6°F
Humidity: 44%
Wind: 14.1 mph
Rain Chance: 85%
UV Index: 4.8
Sunrise: 06:18 AM
Sunset: 07:46 PM
Moon: Waxing Gibbous (97%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 50.7°F
Cloud Cover: 85%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, May 1
Moderate rain
High: 65.9°F | Low: 50.6°F
Humidity: 68%
Wind: 11.6 mph
Rain Chance: 89%
UV Index: 7.2
Sunrise: 06:17 AM
Sunset: 07:47 PM
Moon: Full Moon (99%)
Visibility: 5 mi
Dew Point: 49.2°F
Cloud Cover: 89%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Sunset Stroll
The Sunset Stroll is a leisurely, ranger-guided stroll through the gypsum sand dunes. It is a splendid opportunity to experience the dunes first-hand while learning about the uniqueness of our geology, plants, and animals. As an added bonus, the stroll is timed to end at sunset, providing a panoramic view of the sun setting over the mountains and the potential for some breath-taking photographic opportunities.
Location: Meet near the sunset stroll sign parking area, an 8-mile (12.9 km) drive from the fee station. Follow Dunes Drive, staying left at the intersection. The Sunset Stroll begins in the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking. Look for the signs reading "Sunset Stroll Meets Here."
Date: Jan 2, 2026 12:00am to Jan 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Lake Lucero Tour
Have you ever wondered how the white sands formed and why Lake Lucero is often referred to as the birthplace of the dunes? Take a tour to Lake Lucero with a ranger and learn about the formation of the sands.
Location: The Lake Lucero tour begins 25 miles (40.23 km) southwest of the park at the Small Missile Range Gate, located on Hwy 70 West between mile markers 174 and 175. Emergency medical response will be delayed due to the remote location. Emergency services can be up to one hour away. Health concerns should be carefully considered before committing to this hike.
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Lake Lucero Tour
Have you ever wondered how the white sands formed and why Lake Lucero is often referred to as the birthplace of the dunes? Take a tour to Lake Lucero with a ranger and learn about the formation of the sands.
Location: The Lake Lucero tour begins 25 miles (40.23 km) southwest of the park at the Small Missile Range Gate, located on Hwy 70 West between mile markers 174 and 175. Emergency medical response will be delayed due to the remote location. Emergency services can be up to one hour away. Health concerns should be carefully considered before committing to this hike.
Date: Feb 14, 2026 12:00am to Feb 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunset Stroll
The Sunset Stroll is a leisurely, ranger-guided stroll through the gypsum sand dunes. It is a splendid opportunity to experience the dunes first-hand while learning about the uniqueness of our geology, plants, and animals. As an added bonus, the stroll is timed to end at sunset, providing a panoramic view of the sun setting over the mountains and the potential for some breath-taking photographic opportunities.
Location: Meet near the sunset stroll sign parking area, an 8-mile (12.9 km) drive from the fee station. Follow Dunes Drive, staying left at the intersection. The Sunset Stroll begins in the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking. Look for the signs reading "Sunset Stroll Meets Here."
Date: Feb 15, 2026 12:00am to Feb 15, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunset Stroll
The Sunset Stroll is a leisurely, ranger-guided stroll through the gypsum sand dunes. It is a splendid opportunity to experience the dunes first-hand while learning about the uniqueness of our geology, plants, and animals. As an added bonus, the stroll is timed to end at sunset, providing a panoramic view of the sun setting over the mountains and the potential for some breath-taking photographic opportunities.
Location: Meet near the sunset stroll sign parking area, an 8-mile (12.9 km) drive from the fee station. Follow Dunes Drive, staying left at the intersection. The Sunset Stroll begins in the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking. Look for the signs reading "Sunset Stroll Meets Here."
Date: Feb 22, 2026 12:00am to Feb 22, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunset Stroll
The Sunset Stroll is a leisurely, ranger-guided stroll through the gypsum sand dunes. It is a splendid opportunity to experience the dunes first-hand while learning about the uniqueness of our geology, plants, and animals. As an added bonus, the stroll is timed to end at sunset, providing a panoramic view of the sun setting over the mountains and the potential for some breath-taking photographic opportunities.
Location: Meet near the sunset stroll sign parking area, an 8-mile (12.9 km) drive from the fee station. Follow Dunes Drive, staying left at the intersection. The Sunset Stroll begins in the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking. Look for the signs reading "Sunset Stroll Meets Here."
Date: Mar 2, 2026 12:00am to Mar 2, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Moonlight Hike
Have you ever wanted to hike the dunes under the magical glow of the moon? This is your chance to enjoy the peace and serenity of this elusive environment and experience unique stories of the park. Moonlight hikes are offered March through November, on nights surrounding the full moon.
Click the link below for more information.
Date: Mar 3, 2026 12:00am to Mar 3, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunset Stroll
The Sunset Stroll is a leisurely, ranger-guided half mile stroll through the gypsum sand dunes. It is a splendid opportunity to experience the dunes first-hand while learning about the uniqueness of our geology, plants, and animals. As an added bonus, the stroll is timed to end at sunset, providing a panoramic view of the sun setting over the mountains and the potential for some breath-taking photographic opportunities.
Location: Meet near the sunset stroll sign parking area, an 8-mile (12.9 km) drive from the fee station. Follow Dunes Drive, staying left at the intersection. The Sunset Stroll begins in the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking. Look for the signs reading "Sunset Stroll Meets Here."
Date: Mar 8, 2026 12:00am to Mar 8, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Lake Lucero Tour
Have you ever wondered how the white sands formed and why Lake Lucero is often referred to as the birthplace of the dunes? Take a tour to Lake Lucero with a ranger and learn about the formation of the sands.
Location: The Lake Lucero tour begins 25 miles (40.23 km) southwest of the park at the Small Missile Range Gate, located on Hwy 70 West between mile markers 174 and 175. Emergency medical response will be delayed due to the remote location. Emergency services can be up to one hour away. Health concerns should be carefully considered before committing to this hike.
Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Mar 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Sunset Stroll
The Sunset Stroll is a leisurely, ranger-guided half mile stroll through the gypsum sand dunes. It is a splendid opportunity to experience the dunes first-hand while learning about the uniqueness of our geology, plants, and animals. As an added bonus, the stroll is timed to end at sunset, providing a panoramic view of the sun setting over the mountains and the potential for some breath-taking photographic opportunities.
Location: Meet near the sunset stroll sign parking area, an 8-mile (12.9 km) drive from the fee station. Follow Dunes Drive, staying left at the intersection. The Sunset Stroll begins in the parking lot on the left just after you pass the Backcountry Camping Loop trailhead parking. Look for the signs reading "Sunset Stroll Meets Here."
Date: Mar 29, 2026 12:00am to Mar 29, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
19955 Hwy 70 W
Alamogordo, NM 88310
🏤 Mailing Address:
PO Box 1086
Holloman AFB, NM 88330
📞 Voice Phone: 5754796124
✉️ Email: whsa_interpretation@nps.gov