Best trails in White Sands National Park
Known for its impressive landscape of white, wave-like gypsum sand dunes, White Sands National Monument preserves a massive area of dunes, plants, and wildlife within the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Trails include the Interdune Boardwalk and the Dune Life Nature Trail.
Top trails
Visitor info
Entrance fees are valid for entry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who enter the park by walking and bicycling. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
This pass admits the pass holder and three persons (16 years and older) in a private non-commercial vehicle into the park for free for a period of one year from month of purchase. It can only be purchased at the entrance station to White Sands National Park. This pass does not apply to special use fees, such as camping and interpretive program fees.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The visitor center and gift shop are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are available. Orientation films include open captioning.
Audio descriptions and Braille and text materials are available.
Additional information about accessibility at White Sands National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
The visitor center and gift shop are accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers, and wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains are also available. Orientation films include open captioning.
The Dunes Drive Picnic Area is wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible vault toilets.
There is an accessible ramp available for special events happening in the dunes.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Trail reviews for White Sands National Park
This was my first visit at White Sands National Park. And I picked a doozy of a trail as my first excursion. Vast vistas for miles in all directions. Epic views. Serene. I will be back.
Several walks/hikes are within a short distance of each other at White Sands National Park. This one is pretty easy, well marked, has informative and educational sign postings, and was an all around joy.
A very nice, short, one mile hike at near the entrance of white sands, right. It's the only place you really get to see the transition from the desert to White Sands. This is definitely the trailI'd recommend people hike if visiting White Sands. You can drive in the park and see the endless sand dunes, but the transition from desert to white sand dunes, and a high watertable sustains a unique ecosystem of plants and wildlife in this desert.
spicy heat later in the day, go early. I see why they call the place “white sands”
Guided hike by rangers from White Sands NP.. Large gypsum crystals.
Half an hour my ass, especially in the heat. As with all trails in White Sands, no shade cover. Bring plenty of water.