If you’re up for a fun day, White Sands National Park is the place to have it. Â WIth activities like sledding, hiking, and full moon nights, your time here will be a joy.
Know Before You Go
Park Closures
Occasionally, this national park has to close due to missile testing.  That’s right…missile testing.  White Sands Missile Range is just next door, and while the park usually knows when the missile testing is going to take place, that’s not always the case.  Keep up to date on park closures HERE
Camping
Backcountry camping is your only option if you are looking to stay in the park. Â It’s important to check and make sure camping is available as it does close occasionally for site rehabilitation. Â If you’re interested in camping outside of the park, we stayed at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park. Â It’s about 30 minutes away from White Sands and offers both RV and tent camping.
Sledding
Sledding is one of the best activities that you can do at White Sands.  It’s a fun activity for the whole family, but finding the right dune can be a little overwhelming.  First things first though…you need a board.  Feel free to bring your own or you can rent one at the gift shop.  Once you’re set to sled, it’s time to look for a dune.  On the MAP you can see that there are a lot of options on Dunes Drive.  What we found is that the further you go on the drive, the bigger and better the dunes get.  Our favorite spot is Roadrunner Picnic Area.  It’s a great setup to spend the whole day sledding with great parking, restrooms, and a place to have a snack or picnic.
Hiking
Hiking isn’t typically the first thought that comes to mind for White Sands, but this park does have some really good hiking. Â Trails range anywhere from 0.4 – 5 miles long. Â
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Interdune Boardwalk 0.4 miles, easy
Playa Trail 0.5 miles, easy
Dune Life Nature Trail 1 mile, moderate
Backcountry Camping Trail 2 miles, moderate
Alkali Flat Trail 5 miles, strenuous
Full Moon Adventures
Late spring and into early fall, White Sands National Park extends its hours and offers travelers the opportunity to experience a Full Moon Night in the park. Â It’s a great chance to grab your blanket or chairs and enjoy some family time or a date night. Â The park also offers Full Moon Hikes if you are interested in exploring the dunes after dark. Â Tickets are required for the hike as this is a Park Ranger Program. Â They are available up to 2 months in advance and you can purchase them for $8 through recreation.gov.
Consider the Wonders is a travel blog intended for entertainment purposes only. We are not RV, travel, or hiking experts and are not making recommendations. These are our opinions and you should do your own research and make your own decisions.
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with White Sands National Park or the National Park Service.
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