White dunes in foreground with sun setting behind mountain.

National Park

White Sands National Park

visit on nps.gov

Info

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.

Park Photos

White dunes in foreground with sun setting behind mountain.
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Sunsets are one of the most popular times to visit White Sands. Visitors can experience sunset every day of the year.

Credit: NPS Photo

White dunes in foreground with sun setting behind mountain.
Aerial of white sand dunes.
Close up view of ripples on a dune.
Cottonwood trees with orange leaves.
Grey shadows on dunes.

Activities

Auto and ATV
Scenic Driving
Biking
Road Biking
Camping
Backcountry Camping
Picnicking
Hiking
Guided Tours
Junior Ranger Program
Food

Fees

Passes

Operating Hours

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. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm

DayHours
Friday
7:00AM - Sunset
Monday
7:00AM - Sunset
Sunday
7:00AM - Sunset
Tuesday
7:00AM - Sunset
Saturday
7:00AM - Sunset
Thursday
7:00AM - Sunset
Wednesday
7:00AM - Sunset

Weather info

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.

Events