White Sands National Park | New Mexico

We’ve been to White Sands National Park, southwest of Alamogordo, New Mexico, several times over the past few years on our quest to visit every US National Park. Every time we drive back “home” we make sure to detour to White Sands because it is so beautifully different than anything on the east coast and it’s the perfect spot to add to your Southwest road trip!

Pin Image for White Sands National Park

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About White Sands National Park

In 1933, under President Hoover, White Sands National Monument was created to protect part of the largest gypsum dune field in the world.  During WWII, the military began testing missiles at what is now known as White Sands Missile Range, which shares land with the western part of the park, ensuring that development does not encroach on the park boundaries.

Due to missile testing at White Sands Missile Range, it is imperative to check the closures schedule as the park does close several mornings a week for missile tests so that always plays a role in determining our route because we want to ensure that the park is open when we go.

In December 2019, President Trump signed the National Defense Authorization Act for 2020 which redesignated White Sands National Monument as White Sands National Park, as well as adding an additional 7 square miles to the park.

White Sands Visitor’s Center

At the Visitor’s Center, you can learn all about the dunes and pick up a Junior Ranger activity book if you’re interested. The dunes were created from selenite crystals that formed during the last Ice Age that eventually wore down into gypsum sand.  Unlike normal rocks, gypsum is soluble so it normally dissolves and is carried out to sea, but it has never washed away at White Sands since there are no rivers out of the Tularosa Basin.  Instead, as the water evaporates, beautiful selenite crystals are formed and over time, these crystals become smaller and smaller due to the effects of wind and rain, leaving the nearly pure gypsum sand to blow around and create the dunes.

kids running up the dunes at white sands

While you’re at the Visitor’s Center, definitely buy a sled (and wax!!) so that you can ride down dunes. We purchased a sled and headed out to Dunes Drive to make our way into the park. Once out of the car, the first thing that the kids commented on was that the sand was not hot at all- it was almost cool under our feet even though the sun was blazing above us!

kids at the top of the dunes at white sands national park

The kids could have spent all day running up the dunes and sledding down. Even though the sand feels cool, it’s VERY reflective and you can get a sunburn QUICKLY. Make sure to apply and reapply sunscreen regularly and drink LOTS of water.

Kids sledding down the white sand dunes at White Sands in New Mexico

While I’m not normally a fan of the desert, there is something about White Sands National Park that I just cannot get enough of– it is one of my favorite places in the country.

White Sands Sunset Stroll

The nightly Sunset Stroll that the park offers is a great way to learn about the geology and ecology of White Sands.  The tour is offered every day and departs roughly an hour before sunset from the sunset stroll sign about 5 miles into the park. Make sure to check the official schedule as the start time can vary several hours depending on the time of year.

Yucca in bloom at dusk in White Sands National Park

The mile-long hike is fairly easy- our kids were able to do it as toddlers- though it is on the sand so it’s not wheelchair or stroller friendly.  The tour wraps up at the top of a dune so that you can watch the sun set behind the San Andres mountains.

Silhouette of five kids with the sun setting behind the dunes at White Sands

White Sands sunset Alamogordo New Mexico

After the sun officially sets, the sky stays a beautiful pinkish hue for quite some time allowing you to soak in the beauty of White Sands with cooler temperatures and a totally different color palate.  The park officially closes at 9pm in the summer so they do encourage you to leave pretty quickly after sunset in order to make it back to the gate before the park closes.

Yucca after sunset at white sands national park

White Sands is such a unique and beautiful place to explore so it’s always on my recommended list of places to check out in the Southwestern US, especially if you’re a National Park lover!

What’s your favorite lesser-known National Park or Monument??

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