National Park
White Sands National Park is a National Park in New Mexico. The NPS currently lists 5 active alerts (1 closure), 1 campground and 1 visitor center; entrance fees start at $15.
New Mexico National Park America the Beautiful pass accepted
Updated · NPS Data API
“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.”
Active alerts
5
Closures
1
Campgrounds
1
Visitor centers
1
5 active NPS alerts as of Oct 28, 2026: 1 closure, 0 danger, 0 caution and 4 information.
Closure
Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.
Posted or updated Jan 26, 2026 ·Details on nps.gov
Information
Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
Posted or updated Aug 22, 2024 ·Park conditions on nps.gov
Information
Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.
Posted or updated Jul 26, 2024 ·Park conditions on nps.gov
Information
From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.
Posted or updated Jan 2, 2024 ·Details on nps.gov
Information
There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.
Posted or updated Feb 5, 2019 ·Park conditions on nps.gov
White Sands National Park charges a variety of fees, depending on how a visitor arrives at the park, and whether they're part of a commercial tour group or not. Standard entrance fees are available for purchase before your arrival.
| Fee | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance - Private Vehicle | $25 | Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Buy online |
| Entrance - Per Person | $15 | Per person fee is charged to visitors for entry by means other than a single, private non-commercial vehicle. |
| Entrance - Motorcycle | $20 | Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Buy online |
| Commercial Entrance - Van | $50 | Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board). |
| Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus | $60 | Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board). |
| Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach | $150 | Commercial bus/van tours are charged a flat rate based on the capacity of the vehicle (not the number of persons on board). |
| Pass | Cost | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Entrance - Park | $45 | Recreation.gov |
The interagency America the Beautiful pass is accepted here. Fee details on nps.gov
Imagine yourself surrounded by the spectacular views of endless dunes with few footprints. The Alkali Flat Trail takes you through the heart of the sands, up and over steep dunes to the edge of Alkali Flat.
3-5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Are you looking for expansive views of snow-white gypsum dunes for miles? Hiking the Backcountry Camping Trail provides a sense of the magnitude of the world's largest gypsum dunefield.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
The Dune Life Nature Trail is full of life! This family-friendly, one mile (1.6 km) loop trail is a great way to explore White Sands.
45-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
See all 8 things to do in White Sands →
Activities the NPS lists for White Sands.
Auto and ATVScenic DrivingBikingRoad BikingCampingBackcountry CampingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursHikingJunior Ranger Program
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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.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Tuesday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Wednesday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Thursday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Friday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Saturday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
| Sunday | 7:00AM - Sunset |
Weather: 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.
| Visitor center | Standard hours | Phone | Passport stamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Sands Visitor Center | Daily: 9:00AM - 5:00PM | 5754796124 ext. 236 | Yes |
| Campground | Total sites | Reservable | First-come | RVs | Fee | Reserve |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backcountry Camping | 10 | 0 | 10 | No | $3 | — |
Site counts and fees are from the NPS campground data. Fees show the first listed rate; availability is not shown here — check the reservation site.
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