White Sands National Park: RV Camping and Travel Guide
White gypsum sand dunes glisten in the middle of the otherwise red and gray rock panoramic valley of the Chihuahuan desert. There, the fine powder sand — created by an ancient sea and snow melt from surrounding mountains — is constantly shaped by the wind. In times of plenty, an ephemeral lake appears then evaporates as quickly as it comes. These are just a few of the visible remains of the ever-evolving dance between water, rock, and wind at White Sands National Park. Formed by the evaporating waters of the Tularosa Basin, the pristine white dunes call to RVers everywhere, they say, “Come and explore!”
Those who go will be enchanted.
The park itself is unique. White Sands National Park, located in south-central New Mexico boasts the only gypsum dunefield in the world. Gypsum, a soft sulfate mineral, is mined around the globe for fertilizer to help maintain soil moisture, in construction and sculpture, as well as in pharmaceutical and food products. (So, yes, that stuff in drywall and toothpaste, that’s the material these dunes are made of.) Plus, there are some elusive fossilized footprints from the Paleolithic period which show up from time to time along the lake shore!
Even today, the desert is also surprisingly alive, hosting numerous endemic species. (This 275 square mile sandy wonderland is the only place on Earth that these critters exist!) They have truly fascinating adaptations too, as some turn completely white over time.
If you’ve read this far and are scratching your head and wondering why you’ve never heard of this park, it’s likely because it was redesignated from a national monument to a national park via a congressional vote in 2019.
Here are some highlights for anyone who want to camp their RV at this otherworldly park.
Scenic Drives
Dunes Drive is an eight-mile scenic drive leading from the visitor center into the heart of the gypsum dunefield. The 16-mile-round-trip drive takes approximately 45 minutes to drive. However, you should allow plenty of time for walking in the white sand, taking pictures, and learning about the natural and cultural history. The first four miles of Dunes Drive are paved, and the last four miles are a hard-packed, gypsum road. Cars, motorcycles, bikes, RVs, and buses are allowed to travel this scenic road. Along the way, you will find wayside exhibits, hiking trails, picnic areas, vault toilets, and parking areas.
In addition to this short drive into the dunes, the scenic beauty of getting to this park is worth the trip alone! Heading northeast out of Las Cruces into the Tularosa Basin allows gorgeous views and fascinating history surrounding Alamogordo. (As well as the beautiful Sacramento Mountains and Lincoln National Forest to the north and east.) Add a trip to the nearby Carlsbad Caverns (to explore an underground wonderland) and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (containing the highest peak in Texas), and you’ll have racked up three national park visits in one RV road trip!
Must-Hike Trails
A vast sea of snow-white gypsum dunes is just begging you to go for a hike at White Dunes National Park! Whether you choose to follow one of the five marked trails — or explore the dunefields beyond the established trails to enjoy some serious silence, solitude, and sledding — hiking among the dunes is one very special experience that every visitor should try.
Note of caution: If you venture beyond a marked trail, be sure to orient yourself to the sun, mountains, and parking area from which you came as it’s easy to get turned around out there. (Even if you are just a quarter mile away from your vehicle!) Although the elevation changes are minimal, hiking in sand is much more difficult than an average dirt trail. (And depending on the season, it can be very hot during mid-day.) Try out an easy trail first to see how it feels before venturing too far out from the road. Bring protection from the sun, snacks, and plenty of water when hiking in the desert. If the wind starts blowing hard, head back to your vehicle immediately as visibility can be greatly reduced, like a sand blizzard!
Easy to Moderate Trails
Dune Life Nature Trail. This family-friendly trail is a great way to explore a White Sands ecotone. Two communities meet and integrate here: The desert scrub community and the gypsum sand dunes. Together, they form one of the most diverse ecosystems in White Sands National Park. They also provide a home for kit foxes, badgers, birds, coyotes, rodents, and reptiles. Distance: 1-mile loop, 30 foot dune climbs
Playa Trail. A playa is a shallow depression or low-lying area that fills temporarily with rainwater. Most of the year, it is a dry lakebed. However., during monsoon storms, playas refill with water. This creates an interesting ecosystem and ever-changing habitat for plants and animals. Depending on the season, it may be brown, white, filled with water, or growing crystals! Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Interdune Boardwalk. While currently closed as of publication of this article due to a recent U.S. Air Force mishap, this short walk on an elevated boardwalk is worth the time. The trail leads you through the fragile interdune area to a scenic view of the dunefield and the Sacramento mountains. Interpretive panels along the boardwalk explain the amazing science of the park, including wildlife, geology, and other unique features of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. Distance: 0.4 miles roundtrip, accessible
Moderate to Strenuous Trails
White Sands Backcountry Trail. This hike provides endless views of gorgeous landscapes with the stunning San Andres Mountains to the west. While hiking, keep your eyes out for bleached earless lizards, towering soaptree yuccas, and the occasional white moth. This loop is a great place to experience a fiery White Sands National Park sunset. Distance: 2-mile loop, 40-50 foot dune climbs
Alkali Flat Trail. Surround yourself with a rolling white landscape that stretches endlessly in every direction. On this trail, you can embrace solitude as you travel up and down the dunes — and away from the road to the outer edge of Alakli Flat, the salty expanse where an ancient lake once flourished. Distance: 5-mile loop, 60 foot dune climbs
RV Parks & Campgrounds
There are no RV campgrounds within the park boundaries, and overnight RV parking is not permitted. However, if you want to boondock nearby, there is some public land well-known among RVers. You can stay the night just a few miles northeast of the visitor’s center along the highway between the park and Alamorgordo.
The closest campground with hook-ups is the KOA in Alamagordo, New Mexico (15 miles from the park). There is another bit further afield in Las Cruces, New Mexico. (That’s about 50 miles away.) The park’s website provides links and approximate distances to many camping options nearby.
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is the closest state park camping option. (It’s approximately 25 miles from the visitor’s center.) It’s a great option to the east of the park, especially if you plan to head to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Additionally, there is some Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the general region which would make for a great central point to explore the local mountains.
Seasonal Advice
Temperatures and weather conditions at White Sands National Park vary significantly throughout the year. When winds are high, blowing sand makes visibility challenging and creates dangerous breathing conditions for people with lung issues. Visit the park’s safety page to learn more about how to have a safe experience in the park.
Winter
December thru February
Daytime temperatures average 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Evenings are cold, averaging around 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The occasional winter storm will bring rain and limited snow.
Spring
March thru May
Daytime temperatures average about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Evenings are cool, averaging around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring brings high winds up to 50 miles per hour. Sunny days with strong windstorms are very common.
Summer
June thru August
Daytime temperatures average 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with some days reaching as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Evenings are much cooler, ranging from 50 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
July thru Early September
The rainy season begins in early July and lasts into late September. These months bring the majority of the annual 10 inches of precipitation, with late afternoon and evening thunderstorms very common.
Fall
Late September thru November
Daytime temperatures average 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with a low of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Evenings are cooler, averaging around 40ºF. During these months, days are typically sunny with light winds, making it a great time to visit the park!
We recommend planning at least two days in this park. Also, combine it with a visit to several other fantastic area attractions such as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and of course, gorgeous New Mexico in general. So much to see, do, and explore in this part of the Southwest!
Unique Programs & Opportunities
Dune Sledding
This is hands-down one of the most fun and unique things to do in this park! Perfect for kids of all ages who just want to climb and laugh for hours on end! The powdery, white gypsum dunes not only look like snow, they behave like it as well. (So you can enjoy a full day or sledding without having to bundle up in winter gear for this kind of sledding!) Dune sledding is allowed in the loop portion of Dunes Drive, away from the road and where there is little or no vegetation. Buy or rent a plastic snow-saucer from the park store, or bring your own! Note of caution: While sledding is a blast, climbing the dunes is also a strenuous workout, especially on a hot day. Bring plenty of water and a shade umbrella.
Bicycling
While cycling is only allowed on Dunes Drive, it provides awe-inspiring views of this ever-changing dunefield and otherworldly landscape. Biking is not allowed on hiking trails or off-trail in backcountry areas. Note of caution: While traffic is typically light, the scenic road lacks much of a shoulder and only the first five miles are paved.
Horseback Riding
Riding horses and other pack animals in the white sands is a very unique experience and a wonderful way to explore the expansive scenery of this park. While not allowed on roadways or trails, horses can be ridden among the dunes! Private individual use of horses and other pack animals are welcomed, though animals must be brought into the park in a trailer, and riders must have a horse permit signed by a ranger at the visitor’s center.
Full Moon Night Programs (May to October)
Enjoy the glow of the full moon reflecting on the dunes with live music, ranger programs, and special guest presenters and artists. Full Moon Nights share the cultural legacy of Southern New Mexico and Northern Mexico, as well as the fascinating natural resources found within the park. During each month’s full moon(s), the park’s hours are extended by two hours from the park’s normal closing time so that visitors can enjoy the full moon in the park on their own even when there are no scheduled night programs (November to April). Dates, times, and additional information can be found on their website.
Photographers Paradise
Just about anyone can take good pictures at White Sands National Park, as the deep shadows, fascinating textures, long distance vistas, and stunning sunsets make for compelling and beautiful imagery!
Pack a Picnic
Whether you choose to bring a blanket with a shade umbrella, tailgate, or enjoy one of the many picnic tables and grills scattered throughout the park, family picnicking in the park has been one of the all-time favorite things to do in the area for many generations. Picnic sites are available only on a first-come, first-served basis, though one group picnic area may be reserved in advance by organized groups. It’s very important to Leave No Trace. Be sure to pick up all trash as the wind can easily carry debris many miles into the dunes. Also, make sure you scour your picnic area for food particles and properly dispose of them. Wildlife easily becomes habituated and reliant on human food if crumbs and particles are left behind by messy picnickers. This causes them to stop trying to find their own food, and often results in the animal’s death.
Ranger Programs
Whether you prefer a sunset stroll, moonlit hike, or a hike out to Lake Lucero, park rangers will help illuminate the fascinating flora, fauna, geology, and human history of this unique park. The schedule can be found online or at the park visitor’s center.
Fiery Sunsets and Sunrises
The morning and evening light shows in this park are unreal! Much like moisture from clouds, the particulate in the air from the fine gypsum sand creates some of the most colorful sunrises and sunsets you’ve ever seen. Climb up any tall dune, and you’ll be gifted with some glorious color!
Freedom in a Can
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