Fall in LOVE with White Sands National Park

As a lover of outdoor adventures, I had always been fascinated by the beauty of sand dunes. So, it was no surprise that I had been longing to visit White Sands National Park for a long time. Finally, that day came, and I got to experience the magic of the world’s largest gypsum dunes. From the moment I arrived at the park, I knew I was in for an amazing adventure!

A Dazzling Journey into White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is one of over 400 parks in the National Park System, and the only one of its kind. Ironically, the park is not made up of sand as its name implies, rather selenite crystals that break down through wind and water making them into gypsum. The gypsum is blown by steady strong southwest winds that form dunes of various shapes and sizes. Thus, the park is constantly changing, making each visit a unique and memorable one.

Where the pavement ends and the sand roadway begins.

As soon as we entered the park, we were greeted by the breathtaking sight of endless waves of gleaming white sand dunes stretching as far as the eye could see. The park’s visitors’ center is an excellent starting point for any visitor, providing all the necessary information about the park as well as a gift shop. I quickly grabbed a map and headed out to explore the stunning dunes.

The first stop on our list was The Interdune Boardwalk that stretches .2 miles out into the white sand dunes to a small viewpoint that is easily accessible to people using strollers and wheelchairs. It is a short but pleasant walk, with benches along the way if you need to sit and take a break or just want to take in the sites for a few minutes. Here the terrain is not quite the pristine white sand you typically see in photos, but a much more diverse environment with grassy plumes and small wildlife. It was our first glimpse by foot and it was a memorable on. To access this walkway, it is the first large sand parking lot you come to on the right, when you drive into the park.

Our second stop brought us to the “Roadrunner Picnic Area” that has dozens of covered picnic tables, as well as trash cans, and is a great gathering area for meeting up with friends or just taking a break in the shade. Here there are also bathroom buildings and although I didn’t use them, my husband called them “pit toilets”. (I’m assuming that means that they are just a hole in the floor.) To access this area, it is the first parking lot you come to on the right once you start the roadway loop.

Stop along the Loop Roadway at Alkali Flat Trail

As we drove around the roadway loop there were several areas not open on this particular day. Sunset Stroll Meeting Area, Amphitheater, and Area 19 were all off limits so we did not get a chance to take photos there. I have heard that the Sunset Stroll is a great experience but you will need to make reservations to go on that hike.

There are several more parking areas along the roadway loop and depending on your preferences, stopping at one or all of them is totally up to you. “Alkali Flat Trail” is a 5 mile round trip strenuous hike and only suggested for experienced hikers. “West Filming Area” is a great place to take photos of the white sand dunes as far as the eyes can see, with a jaw-dropping background of the San Andres Mountain Range. “Horse Area” is exactly what it implies. This area had several empty horse trailers parked in the parking lot with its riders all out enjoying the trails on the dunes with their horses. And finally, the “Yucca Picnic Area” rounds out the last stop on the roadway loop with several more picnic tables to sit and eat while the kids enjoy sledding on the pure white snow-like hills. It is a great place for some memorable family time.

Know Before You Go

The park is home to 275 square miles of gypsum dunes, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world. A few things you should know before you plan a visit to White Sands National Park:

Wear Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. The rays of the sun reflect off the pure white dunes and can cause serious sunburn, so please take appropriate measures especially with children.
Carry water no matter how short you think you might hike. The Visitor’s Center is the only place to fill up water bottles so plan accordingly. There is no water beyond the entrance to the park.
Although White Sands National Park is extremely pet friendly, all pets MUST be on a leash. Our dog had a great time while visiting and I’m so glad we got to take him.
Sleds may be purchased at the Visitor’s Center. We stayed at a campground that let us borrow them for the day if we wanted to. Ask your lodging facility if they have/rent sleds before heading out. The park does not rent sleds so you may have to purchase them if you wait till the last minute.
Always keep landmarks in sight. Hiking this vast white terrain is an amazing experience but you don’t want to get lost. Always know your surroundings and don’t depend on cell phone coverage.
You can drive your RV into the park. Although there is no overnight RV parking, driving around during the day is welcomed. The only camping allowed in White Sands NP is Backcountry camping. Info can be found at the Visitor’s Center.
Do not tunnel into the dunes, they can collapse and suffocate you.
On occasion the park and the roadway to the park (US 70) may be closed due to the nearby missile range. Closures average twice a week for 1-2 hours. Call or visit the website for current conditions.

White Sands National Park is an incredible destination that exceeded all my expectations. The beauty and uniqueness of the dunes are something that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. The park is perfect for families, hikers, and nature lovers of all kinds, and I can’t wait to go back to the sand-tastic adventure that is White Sands National Park.