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The Ultimate Guide To White Sands National Park

Pastel sunset over white gypsum dunes, New Mexico

I’m just going to say it: White Sands National Park is one of the most surreal places I’ve ever visited. Standing in a sea of brilliant white gypsum dunes feels like stepping onto another planet, or maybe into a dream. It’s so strikingly beautiful that photos genuinely don’t do it justice (though you’ll take about 500 trying).

White Sands sits in southern New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin and protects part of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield, about 275 square miles of glittering white dunes. Unlike the sandy deserts you might be picturing, gypsum doesn’t soak up the sun’s heat like regular sand. That’s why it often stays surprisingly cool underfoot, which is great news for bare feet and paws. It’s otherworldly, it’s easy to get to, and it absolutely belongs on your bucket list.

You might be planning a day trip from El Paso, slotting White Sands into a New Mexico road trip, or pulling in with your RV and your pups. Either way, this White Sands National Park guide covers everything you need to plan a great visit in 2026, including what’s open, what’s closed, and what’s changed.

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White Sands National Park at a Glance

DetailWhat to Know
LocationUS Highway 70 between Alamogordo and Las Cruces, New Mexico
SizeThe dunefield covers about 275 square miles; the park protects about 115 square miles of it
Became a national parkDecember 20, 2019 (national monument since 1933)
Entrance fee$25 per vehicle, valid for 7 days
Reservations to enter?No timed entry required
Dogs allowed?Yes! Leashed (6 feet max) on trails and dunes
Camping in the park?No. Backcountry camping is closed with no reopening date
Biggest quirkMissile tests can close the park road and US-70 for up to 3 hours

What’s Changed for 2026 (Read This First!)

White Sands gypsum dunes and desert grasses under blue sky

White Sands has a few big updates, and some older guides haven’t caught up:

  • A safety corridor is in effect on Dunes Drive between mile markers 3 and 5.5. You can drive through it, but you can’t stop, park, or get out of your vehicle in that stretch. The area south of the road inside the corridor is closed to all foot traffic. The park set it up during the recovery effort after a US Air Force F-16 from Holloman Air Force Base crashed in the park in April 2024 (the pilot ejected safely).
  • The Interdune Boardwalk is closed because it sits inside the safety corridor. Sledding is also closed at the Interdune Boardwalk area and the dunes around it.
  • Backcountry camping is closed with no date set to resume. There is currently no way to sleep inside the park.
  • Fee-free days are now for U.S. citizens and residents only, and the 2026 dates are different from previous years (more on that below).
  • The America the Beautiful pass now has resident and nonresident prices: $80 for U.S. residents, $250 for nonresidents.

Well Worn Shoes Tip: Check the park’s Alerts & Conditions page the day before you go. White Sands changes more often than most parks!

Where Is White Sands National Park?

White Sands National Park is in south-central New Mexico on US Highway 70, between Alamogordo and Las Cruces. The park sits in the Tularosa Basin, with the San Andres Mountains to the west and the Sacramento Mountains to the east.

Distances to the White Sands Visitor Center:

FromDistanceDrive Time
Alamogordo, NMAbout 15 miles15–20 minutes
Las Cruces, NMAbout 52 milesAbout 1 hour
El Paso, TXAbout 85–90 milesAbout 1.5 hours
Albuquerque, NMAbout 200–225 milesAbout 3.5 hours

How to Get to White Sands National Park

Wide white gypsum dunes at sunset, White Sands New Mexico

By Air: El Paso International Airport (ELP) is the closest major airport, about 1.5 hours away, and usually your best bet for flights and rental cars. Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) works if you’re combining White Sands with Santa Fe or other northern New Mexico stops. Just know it’s about a 3.5-hour drive.

By Car: You need your own wheels. There’s no public transportation to White Sands and no shuttle inside the park. You don’t need 4WD. Highways are paved, and Dunes Drive starts paved before turning into a hard-packed gypsum road that regular cars (and RVs) handle fine.

Border Patrol Checkpoint: If you’re coming from Las Cruces on US-70, you’ll pass a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint about a mile before the park. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, bring your passport or immigration documents.

Well Worn Shoes Tip: US-70 between Las Cruces and the park can close during missile testing at White Sands Missile Range. Call the Highway 70 closure line at (575) 678-1178 before you drive!

White Sands Entrance Fees & Passes (2026)

Dogs at White Sands National Park with long sunset shadows
PassPriceValid For
Private Vehicle$257 days
Motorcycle$207 days
Per Person (walk-in or bike, ages 16+)$157 days
White Sands Annual Pass$4512 months (U.S. citizens and residents; buy at the entrance station)
America the Beautiful Pass (U.S. residents)$801 year, all national parks and federal recreation sites
America the Beautiful Pass (nonresidents)$2501 year

Kids under 16 don’t need their own entrance pass. All America the Beautiful passes are accepted, including Senior, Military, Access, and 4th Grade passes. White Sands is not one of the 11 parks that charge the extra $100 nonresident fee in 2026.

Pay at the entrance station on Dunes Drive, a quarter mile past the visitor center, and use cash or card. You can also buy your pass online in advance. Download or print it before you arrive, because connectivity at the park is limited.

As of mid-October 2026, the two fee-free days left this year are October 27 and November 11. Fee-free days don’t cover ranger program tickets like the Lake Lucero Tour or Moonlight Hikes.

White Sands Park Hours & Visitor Center Hours

White Sands is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. You don’t need a timed entry reservation. Just show up, pay your fee, and explore!

Park (Dunes Drive) hours: The gates open at 7:00 a.m., and closing time follows the sunset. For most of the year the park closes 30 minutes after sunset. In summer (late May through early September) it stays open until 1 hour after sunset. Full Moon Nights extend hours even later.

Visitor center hours: The visitor center and gift shop generally run 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but hours shift with the seasons, so check the park’s Operating Hours page before you go. The 17-minute park film plays every 30 minutes starting at 9:00 a.m. The visitor center is the only place in the park with running water and flush restrooms. Vault toilets are available along Dunes Drive.

Well Worn Shoes Tip: Sunset is gorgeous, but in winter the park closes just 30 minutes after it. Plan your drive out accordingly so you’re not racing the gate.

Dunes Drive at sunset in White Sands National Park

Missile Range Closures (Plan Around These!)

Here’s something you won’t find at most national parks: White Sands is surrounded by White Sands Missile Range, an active military testing area. For safety, the park closes Dunes Drive, the only road into the dunefield, for up to three hours during some tests. US-70 between the park and Las Cruces may close too.

What to know:

  • The park usually gets advance notice of tests, but sometimes only 24 hours ahead.
  • The visitor center and gift shop stay open during test closures, but Dunes Drive and all activities in the dunefield are off limits.
  • Your entrance pass is good for 7 days, so if you get caught by a closure, come back once the road reopens.

How to check:

  • Park closures page: nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/park-closures.htm
  • Park phone: (575) 479-6124
  • US-70 closure line (White Sands Missile Range): (575) 678-1178
  • Unexpected weather closures: the park posts these on its Facebook page and on NMRoads.com

My recommendation? Check the closure schedule the day before AND the morning of your visit. Nothing ruins a road trip like arriving to a closed gate!

Best Time to Visit White Sands National Park

Dog-friendly White Sands visit with huskies

Fall (September–November): the sweet spot. September, October, and early November bring smaller crowds and pleasant weather. Days are warm, nights are cool, and Sunset Strolls are running.

Winter (December–February): quiet and beautiful. Winter is the park’s secret season, with the lightest crowds of the year. Daytime highs average around 60°F, and nights can drop below freezing. Lake Lucero Tours run November through March, and the low-angle winter light is stunning for photos.

Spring (March–May): crowded and windy. March is the busiest month at White Sands, with more than 100,000 visitors. February through May is also windy season, and dust storms can roll in fast and cut visibility to a few feet. If you visit in spring, go early in the morning before the wind picks up.

Summer (June–August): hot but dramatic. Summer highs average about 97°F and regularly pass 100°F, with almost no shade in the dunefield. Don’t start the Alkali Flat Trail at all if it’s 85°F or hotter. On the bright side, monsoon season (early July through mid-October) brings dramatic afternoon storms and some of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see. If you visit in summer, stick to the early morning and the hours around sunset, and never hike midday.

Know Before You Go

  • Bring more water than you think you need. There is ZERO water in the dunefield. Fill up at the visitor center. Plan on at least one gallon per person per day, and at least two 32-ounce bottles per person on every trail. When your water is half gone, turn back.
  • Sun protection is critical. The white sand reflects sunlight back up at you, so you get hit from above and below. Wear sunscreen on all exposed skin (including under your chin and nose!), polarized sunglasses, and a hat. Light long sleeves help too.
  • The landscape is disorienting. With white in every direction, it’s surprisingly easy to lose your bearings, and footprints disappear fast in the wind. Stay within sight of trail markers or your car.
  • Cell service is spotty. Download the NPS app and save White Sands for offline use before you arrive, and download offline maps.
  • Check the missile range schedule the day before and the morning of your visit.
  • Fuel up and grab food in Alamogordo. The closest gas and restaurants are there, about 13 miles from the park.

Visiting White Sands National Park With Dogs

Husky howling atop white gypsum dune against blue sky

White Sands with Dogs

This is the section I’m most excited about, because White Sands is one of the most dog-friendly national parks in the country. It’s on my list of the most dog-friendly national parks for a reason! Most national parks keep dogs on pavement. At White Sands, your pup can come along on the trails and out onto the dunes.

The rules:

  • Dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet and under physical control at all times.
  • Pets aren’t allowed inside the visitor center or gift shop (service animals are the exception). Plan on someone hanging back with the dogs while the other person goes in.
  • Never leave your dog unattended, especially in a vehicle. Leash up before you open the car doors.
  • Pick up after your pup. People walk barefoot and sled here, so nobody wants to slide into a surprise. Pet waste stations are available at the visitor center and gift shop parking lots.
Two dogs digging in white gypsum sand at sunset

Tips for visiting White Sands with your dog:

  • The gypsum usually stays cooler than regular sand, but don’t assume it’s always safe. On hot summer days, do the hand test: if you can’t hold your palm on the sand for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for paws.
  • Bring a collapsible bowl and plenty of extra water just for your pup. Dogs dehydrate fast here.
  • Fine gypsum gets into everything, including paws, ears, and double coats (hello, Husky parents!). Keep a towel in the car and brush out before everyone piles back in.
  • Booties can help keep sand out from between paw pads, especially for dogs with sensitive feet.
  • Practice Leave No Trace with your dog: stay off vegetation and fragile biological soil crust.

Well Worn Shoes Tip: Get the walk in early or around sunset. The light is better, the sand is cooler, and there’s more room for the pups to spread out.

Need gear? Check out my favorite dog hiking gear, and if you’re new to hiking with pups, read my guide to Leave No Trace with your dog.

RV Tips for White Sands National Park

Brian and I travel full time in our travel trailer, Betty, so here’s what RVers need to know:

  • Visitor center parking is limited for big rigs. There’s limited RV and trailer parking in the south lot directly in front of the visitor center (the main lot, closest to Highway 70). Don’t take an RV or trailer into the back (north) lot. There’s no room for oversized vehicles there. Tractor trailers can’t park anywhere in the park.
  • Dunes Drive works for RVs, but parking at pull-offs and trailheads fills up at sunset. With the safety corridor in effect, you also can’t stop between mile markers 3 and 5.5.
  • Consider unhooking. If you’re towing, it’s often easier to leave the trailer at your campground and drive the dunes in your tow vehicle.
  • There’s no camping in the park, so base yourself nearby. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park (water/electric sites), the Alamogordo White Sands KOA Journey, and Aguirre Spring Campground (no hookups, small rigs only) are covered below.

How Much Time Do You Need at White Sands?

Family photo with huskies and puppy on gypsum dunes

For most people, a half day to one full day is perfect for a first visit. If you want to do the Lake Lucero Tour, take serious sunset photos, hike Alkali Flat, and sled, plan on two visits. Your $25 pass is good for 7 days.

One-Day White Sands Itinerary

Evening: Join a ranger-led Sunset Stroll (Friday–Sunday) or find your own dune for sunset, then stay for the color afterward. Just watch the closing time!

Morning: Get to the gate when it opens at 7:00 a.m. Walk the Playa Trail and the Dune Life Nature Trail while it’s still cool and quiet.

Late morning: Stop at the visitor center for the exhibits and the park film, fill up your water, and grab sleds and wax at the gift shop.

Midday: In the cooler months, drive to the end of Dunes Drive and hike the Alkali Flat Trail. In summer, skip it and head into Alamogordo for lunch and the New Mexico Museum of Space History.

Afternoon: Sled the big dunes near the Alkali Flat trailhead and the end of Dunes Drive.

Things to Do at White Sands National Park

Hike the Dunes

White Sands has five established trails. Each is marked with colored posts carrying a playing-card symbol to keep you on track in the disorienting white landscape. Two are currently closed.

TrailDistanceDifficultyMarkerStatus (2026)
Playa Trail0.5 mi round tripEasyGreen, heart ♥Open
Dune Life Nature Trail1 mi loopModerateBlue, club ♣Open
Alkali Flat Trail5 mi out-and-backStrenuousRed, diamond ♦Open
Interdune Boardwalk0.4 mi round tripEasy, wheelchair accessibleBoardwalk (no markers)Closed (safety corridor)
Backcountry Camping TrailAbout 2 mi loopModerateOrange, spade ♠Closed with backcountry camping

Playa Trail: A short, flat, family-friendly walk to a small playa (a mostly dry lakebed). Signs along the way cover the area’s Ice Age history.

Dune Life Nature Trail: My favorite: The Dune Life Nature Trail is the perfect balance of adventure and accessibility. It’s long enough to feel immersive but short enough for families, and the interpretive signs about the park’s unique ecosystem are genuinely fascinating. Look for Katie the Kit Fox, the trail’s mascot, on the signs. There are two moderately steep dune climbs.

Alkali Flat Trail: For serious hikers, Alkali Flat delivers the most dramatic scenery, through the heart of the dunefield to the edge of the Alkali Flat. That’s the dry lakebed of ancient Lake Otero, which covered 1,600 square miles of the basin during the last ice age. It’s 5 miles out-and-back, takes about 3 hours on average, and you’ll climb up and over dunes as tall as 60 feet the whole way. (Despite the name, it is NOT flat!) There’s no shade or water along the trail, but there is a vault toilet at the trailhead.

Important safety rules for Alkali Flat:

  • Don’t start the hike if it’s 85°F or hotter.
  • Always find the next trail marker before you move on. If you can’t see it because of blowing sand or a downed marker, turn around and go back to your car.
  • Be off the trail by sunset.
  • The park sits next to an active missile range, and missile debris sometimes falls into the park and gets buried by sand. If you see a strange object, don’t touch it. It may still detonate. Note where it is and tell a ranger.

Off-trail hiking: You’re welcome to wander off-trail across the open dunes (and your leashed dog can come too!), but it’s easy to get turned around. Keep your car or a landmark in sight, carry water, and avoid stepping on plants and fragile soil crust.

Wide White Sands National Park sunset with San Andres silhouette

Go Sand Sledding!

Yes, you can sled the dunes year-round! This is one of the most fun things to do at White Sands and a huge hit with kids (and adults who are kids at heart).

Where to get sleds: The White Sands Trading Post gift shop, located behind the visitor center, sells plastic saucer sleds and sled wax. Prices change, so call the gift shop at (575) 479-1629 for current sled prices and to ask about used sleds or buyback. New sleds usually run around $20–$25, and wax is just a few dollars. You can also bring your own saucer or pick one up in Alamogordo before you arrive.

Don’t skip the wax! It makes a HUGE difference in speed. Rub it all over the bottom of your sled and reapply every few runs.

Best sledding spots:

  • The tall dunes near the Alkali Flat Trailhead and the end of Dunes Drive
  • The Dune Life Nature Trail area, which is good for little kids and first-timers
  • Not the Interdune Boardwalk area, where sledding is currently closed

Well Worn Shoes Tip: Pick dunes with a long, gradual runout. The base of a steep dune can be hard when you hit it fast! And skip the cardboard, because it doesn’t glide on gypsum.

Drive Dunes Drive

Dunes Drive at twilight with pink sky, White Sands

Dunes Drive is 8 miles one way (16 miles round trip) from the visitor center into the heart of the dunefield. The first stretch is paved, then it becomes a hard-packed gypsum road that any regular vehicle can handle. Along the way you’ll find:

  • Trailheads for the Playa, Dune Life, and Alkali Flat trails
  • Outdoor exhibits and pull-offs
  • Picnic areas with shade shelters at the end of the road
  • Endless photo opportunities

Remember: no stopping between mile markers 3 and 5.5 while the safety corridor is in effect.

Well Worn Shoes Tip: Drive all the way to the end of Dunes Drive for the most pristine, photogenic dunes and the tallest sledding hills.

Catch A White Sands Sunset (Or Sunrise)

If you only do one thing at White Sands, make it sunset. The fading light turns those white dunes pink, orange, purple, and gold, and it’s absolutely mesmerizing. I’ve chased a lot of sunsets in my life, and White Sands ranks among the very best.

Sun setting behind mountains over White Sands gypsum dunes

Best sunset spots:

  • The end of Dunes Drive, where the dunes are biggest, and the views are cleanest
  • The Alkali Flat Trailhead area, with tall dunes and dramatic silhouettes
  • The Dune Life Nature Trail area, with yuccas against colorful skies

Sunrise is trickier. The gates don’t open until 7:00 a.m., which is after sunrise for much of the year. In the depths of winter, you can catch early morning light right at opening. To be in the dunes for true sunrise, you need a special-use permit for early entry, which comes with an hourly fee. Contact the park well ahead of your trip for the current process and price. Backcountry camping used to be the other way to catch sunrise, but it’s closed for now.

Attend a Ranger Program

Sunset Strolls (free with park entry):

  • When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as staffing and weather allow. Start times shift with the sunset, so check the park calendar.
  • What: A 45-minute to 1-hour ranger-guided walk of about half a mile.
  • Reservations: Not required. Strolls are canceled during heat advisories.

Full Moon Nights (free with park entry):

  • When: Monthly on the full moon, May through October. The park stays open 2 hours past normal closing.
  • What: Live music, ranger talks, and cultural presentations in the park’s outdoor amphitheater.
  • Good to know: The 2026 season wraps up in late October, and the next year’s schedule usually comes out in spring.

Moonlight Hikes (tickets required):

  • When: March through November, on nights around the full moon.
  • What: A ranger-led hike under the full moon. Check in at the Dune Life Nature Trail 30 minutes before the start time. Arrive late, and you’ll miss it.
  • Tickets: Through Recreation.gov, with a small fee plus park entry. Each hike is capped at 50 people, and tickets often sell out within minutes of release.

Lake Lucero Tours (tickets required):

  • When: About once a month, November through March.
  • What: A 3-hour ranger-guided tour to the dry lakebed of Lake Lucero, the “birthplace of the dunes,” where gypsum crystallizes into selenite before wind breaks it down into sand. You caravan in your own car 17.5 miles each way across missile range property, then hike a moderate 1.5-mile round trip on rough, unmaintained terrain.
  • Cost: $8 per person ages 16+ and $4 for kids 15 and under. You don’t pay the park entrance fee for this program.
  • Tickets: Recreation.gov. Tickets go on sale one month before each tour date at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time, and each tour is limited to about 50 people, so they go FAST!
  • Good to know: You meet at the Small Missile Range Gate at mile marker 175 on US-70, not at the visitor center. Bring at least 2 liters of water per person for the hike. The tour isn’t recommended for young kids or infants.

Why Is the Sand at White Sands White? How the Dunes Formed

Pastel twilight sky over White Sands dunes and yucca

Most sand is quartz. White Sands is gypsum, a mineral that’s rare as sand because water dissolves it and usually carries it away to the sea. The Tularosa Basin has no outlet to the sea, though. Rain and snowmelt wash dissolved gypsum down from the surrounding mountains into the basin. During the last ice age, ancient Lake Otero covered about 1,600 square miles here. As it dried out, it left gypsum behind.

Today, at Lake Lucero, water still evaporates and leaves gypsum crystals (selenite) behind. Wind and weather break those crystals into smaller and smaller pieces, and the wind carries them off to build the dunes. So yes, it’s real sand, just gypsum sand instead of quartz. That’s also why it reflects so much light and doesn’t heat up like a typical beach.

Wildlife at White Sands

The dunes look empty, but hundreds of species of plants, birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects live here, and much of that wildlife comes out at night. Some animals have even evolved white coloring to blend in with the sand, like the bleached earless lizard, the Apache pocket mouse, and the White Sands wood rat. You might also spot signs of kit foxes, coyotes, badgers, and darkling beetles. Early morning is the best time to look for tracks before the wind erases them. Please don’t feed wildlife. These creatures are specially adapted to a harsh environment, and human food harms them.

History of White Sands: From Ancient Footprints to National Park

People have been part of this landscape for a very long time. The park preserves fossilized footprints of Ice Age animals and ancient humans, and some of the human tracks are believed to be more than 20,000 years old, making them some of the oldest evidence of people in North America. Ancestral peoples, including the Jornada Mogollon, lived throughout the Tularosa Basin, and Apache peoples, including the Mescalero Apache, have deep ties to this region.

White Sands became a national monument in 1933 and was redesignated as America’s 62nd national park on December 20, 2019. The adobe visitor center is a beauty in its own right. WPA workers built it between 1936 and 1940, and it’s part of the White Sands Historic District, with hand-carved details and handcrafted tin light fixtures inside.

White Sands Photography Tips

Desert shrubs on gypsum sand after sunset, White Sands

The exposure challenge: Your camera wants to turn those brilliant white dunes into muddy gray. The fix? Dial in +1 to +2 stops of exposure compensation when the frame is mostly white sand, and drop closer to +1 when there’s more contrast in the scene.

Recommended settings:

  • ISO 100–200 for clean detail
  • Aperture f/8–f/11 for sharp landscapes
  • Shoot RAW for maximum flexibility

Essential gear:

Protect your camera! Fine gypsum gets into everything. Don’t change lenses when the wind picks up, keep your bag sealed when you’re not shooting, and clean with microfiber instead of canned air, which can push particles deeper into your gear.

Backcountry Camping at White Sands (2026 Status)

Backcountry camping at White Sands is closed, and no date has been set to resume. There are no other campgrounds in the park, so right now there’s no way to spend the night inside White Sands. When it was open, 10 primitive sites were available along the Backcountry Camping Trail, with permits sold same-day on a first-come basis. Check the park’s alerts page for reopening news.

Where to Stay Near White Sands National Park

There’s no lodging in the park, so you’ll have to stay nearby.

Alamogordo (about 15–20 minutes): the most convenient base

Fun fact: some Alamogordo hotels and vacation rentals lend sleds to guests, so ask when you book!

Las Cruces (about 1 hour): more dining and lodging variety

Las Cruces has a bigger dining scene, more vacation rentals, and plenty of chain hotels along I-10, including TownePlace Suites by Marriott Las Cruces for kitchenette stays. Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces is a local favorite with Southwest style. Just remember the drive to the park crosses the Border Patrol checkpoint and can be affected by US-70 missile test closures.

Camping & RV Parks Near White Sands

  • Oliver Lee Memorial State Park: About 30 minutes from White Sands, at the base of the Sacramento Mountains south of Alamogordo. The campground has 44 sites, some with water and 30-amp electric hookups and some with shade shelters. It also has showers and a dump station; the max RV length is about 35 feet, and the views across the Tularosa Basin are stunning. A few sites can be reserved, and the rest are first-come, first-served. We absolutely love State Park campgrounds in New Mexico!
  • Alamogordo White Sands KOA Journey: In town, with hookups and pet-friendly sites, so it’s convenient if you want full services close to restaurants and groceries.
  • Aguirre Spring Campground (BLM): In the Organ Mountains off US-70 east of Las Cruces. It has 55 first-come, first-served sites with no hookups. The road up is narrow and winding, and RVs longer than 23 feet aren’t recommended. It’s rustic and beautiful, roughly 45–55 minutes from White Sands.

Where to Eat in Alamogordo

There are no restaurants in the park. The gift shop sells packaged snacks and bottled water, but not full meals, so plan to eat in Alamogordo before or after your visit, or pack a picnic and a cooler. Alamogordo has plenty of New Mexican food (get the green chile!), diners, and chain options along US-54/70. A few local favorites include Rizo’s Restaurant for New Mexican plates and the Hi-D-Ho Drive-In for burgers. And don’t leave town without pistachio ice cream at McGinn’s PistachioLand.

Where to Eat in Las Cruces & Old Mesilla

If you’re driving in from Las Cruces or heading back toward El Paso after sunset, Las Cruces and neighboring Old Mesilla have a much bigger dining scene than Alamogordo. Most of the best spots are in or near the historic Mesilla Plaza, which is worth a wander before or after dinner.

La Posta de Mesilla: This is the classic. La Posta has been serving New Mexican food since 1939 in a historic adobe just off the plaza. It’s big, quirky, and a little touristy in the best way. Get anything smothered in red or green chile, and save room for sopapillas.

Double Eagle: For a special-occasion dinner, the Double Eagle sits right on Mesilla Plaza in an adobe built around 1849, full of antiques and crystal chandeliers. It’s known for aged steaks and has a serious bar. Reservations are a good idea.

Andele: This is the casual, local pick. It’s a good place for tacos al carbon and Mexican plates without the fuss, and it serves breakfast too if you’re stopping on the way to the park.

Spotted Dog Brewery: A laid-back brewpub for a pint and a bite after a long day in the dunes.

Dry Point Distillers: If you’re more of a cocktail person, Dry Point is Las Cruces’s only distillery. It makes its own bourbon, gin, and vodka, and serves them in a small tasting room a few blocks from the plaza. The Old Fashioned is the move. Its hours can be flexible, so call ahead.

Well Worn Shoes Tip: New Mexico and El Paso have some of the best food, in my opinion! You don’t want to miss it. Las Cruces sits on the Las Cruces side of the US-70 missile test closures. If the road to the park is closed, a long lunch in Old Mesilla is a great way to wait it out.

Nearby Attractions

  • New Mexico Museum of Space History (Alamogordo): Showcases the region’s role in space exploration and rocketry, with the International Space Hall of Fame, an outdoor air and space park, and the New Horizons Dome Theater and Planetarium. Great for space nerds! The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
  • McGinn’s PistachioLand (Alamogordo): Is it touristy? Yes! But it’s also home to the World’s Largest Pistachio, a 30-foot monument. Farm tours run through the orchards and vineyards, plus a country store with free samples, wine tasting, and pistachio ice cream (yes, really).
  • Oliver Lee Memorial State Park: Hike Dog Canyon, a historic ranch house, and enjoy fantastic mountain views.
  • Three Rivers Petroglyph Site: More than 21,000 petroglyphs spread across 50 acres, carved by the Jornada Mogollon people. A rugged half-mile trail links many of the best ones. It’s roughly 45–50 minutes north of the park.

Multi-Park Road Trips from White Sands

White Sands pairs beautifully with other Southwest national parks:

A 4–5 day loop through White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and Guadalupe Mountains makes an incredible national parks road trip, with El Paso as your fly-in/fly-out hub. Planning a big year of parks? Check out my 2026 National Parks Guide and my full list of national parks posts.

What to Pack for White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park Packing List

You can find most of my go-to gear in my Amazon storefront. Here’s my White Sands packing list:

Tips for Visiting White Sands National Park

  • Check missile range closures before every visit. I can’t stress this enough!
  • Check park alerts for the safety corridor and other current closures.
  • Arrive early or stay late to beat the crowds and the heat.
  • Bring one gallon of water per person. There’s none in the dunefield.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses. The reflected light is intense.
  • Apply sunscreen everywhere, including under your chin and nose, because the sand reflects light upward!
  • Download offline maps, since cell service is unreliable.
  • Practice Leave No Trace and pack out everything you bring in.
  • Keep your car keys zipped in a pocket. Lose them in the sand, and they’re gone!
  • Don’t take sand, plants, or anything else home. Removing natural objects from a national park is against federal law and can mean a hefty fine.
  • Don’t feed wildlife. The creatures here are specially adapted to this harsh environment.

White Sands National Park FAQ

Is White Sands National Park worth visiting?
Absolutely. It’s unlike any other national park: you can drive into the dunes, sled, hike, bring your dog, and watch one of the best sunsets in the Southwest, all in a single day.

Can you camp at White Sands National Park?
Not right now. Backcountry camping is closed with no reopening date, and there’s no other campground in the park. The closest options are Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, RV parks in Alamogordo, and Aguirre Spring Campground.

Is the sand at White Sands hot?
Usually not as hot as you’d expect. Gypsum reflects sunlight instead of absorbing it, so it often stays cool enough to walk on barefoot. On very hot summer afternoons, though, the surface can warm up, so test it with your hand before your dog walks on it.

Can you bring dogs to White Sands?
Yes! Leashed dogs (6-foot leash max) are welcome on Dunes Drive, the trails, and the open dunes. They’re just not allowed inside the visitor center or gift shop.

How long do you need at White Sands?
A half day to a full day is enough for most first-time visitors. Add a second visit if you want to hike Alkali Flat, sled, and stay for a ranger program.

Does White Sands close for missile tests?
Yes. Dunes Drive can close for up to three hours during tests at the neighboring White Sands Missile Range, and US-70 may close too. The visitor center stays open. Check the park closures page and call (575) 678-1178 for US-70 status.

Do you need a reservation to visit White Sands?
No. There’s no timed entry. Only special programs like Moonlight Hikes and Lake Lucero Tours need tickets.

Can you take sand home from White Sands?
No. Removing sand, plants, or other natural objects from a national park is against federal law. Buy a souvenir at the gift shop instead!

Is White Sands real sand?
Yes, it’s real sand, just made of gypsum instead of quartz. That’s why it’s so white, so soft, and so cool underfoot.

White Sands is one of those rare places that genuinely defies expectations. Photos can’t capture the scale, the silence, or the surreal beauty of standing in an endless sea of white. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel small in the best possible way. Whether you’re sledding with the kids, chasing golden hour with your camera, walking the dunes with your pups, or just sitting quietly while the colors shift at sunset, White Sands delivers something you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.

Have you been to White Sands? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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Plan the perfect trip to White Sands National Park with The Ultimate White Sands Guide. Get day-by-day itineraries, the best sledding dunes and sunset spots, missile test closure tips, where to stay and eat, and everything you need to know before you go. Whether you’re visiting for a day from El Paso or road-tripping through New Mexico, this guide has you covered. #WhiteSandsNationalPark #NewMexicoTravel #NationalParks #RoadTrip

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