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1. Sledding the Dunes!
Take a thrilling ride down the sparkling white sand! Sledding in White Sands is crazy — who knew you could have all of the fun of sledding without the cold weather?!
What You Need to Know
Sleds are available at the park gift shop or the local Walmart. You can also bring your own. Don’t forget the wax (also available at the park gift shop). Your sled won’t travel very quickly down the dunes unless it’s waxed!
There is an unlimited number of dunes to sled down in the park. When selecting your dune for sledding, be sure to choose one that has a gradual slope at the bottom where the dune meets the desert floor. The bottom of the dunes are often solidified and very hard — this is where most people get injured.
Please don’t sled near the roadways or parking areas. Taking just a few safety precautions will help everyone stay safe and have fun!
Getting Here
Travel along the Dunes Drive until you find a place that looks good to you! Most people seem to stop at the first dunes they see, so if you want to get away from the crowds, I recommend driving further back (closer to the picnic areas).
2. Interdune Boardwalk
Many plants live and thrive in the fragile landscape between the sand dunes! Learn more about these extraordinarily adaptive plants while strolling along this beautiful nature trail.
What You Need to Know
This trail is 0.4 miles roundtrip and is great for all ages. The elevated boardwalk is wheelchair and stroller-friendly.
To protect the plants, please stay on the boardwalk in this area. If you would like to play in the sand, drive a few more miles down the road further into the heart of the dunes.
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, drive 4.5 miles along the Dunes Drive Road to reach the parking area for the Interdune Boardwalk.
3. Dune Life Nature Trail
Explore the edge of the sand dunes where a surprising amount of life can survive. This trail is great for learning all about the desert wildlife here in the park — you may even spot an animal along the way!
What You Need to Know
Traveling this 1-mile loop is a great way to not only have fun while in the dunes but also to appreciate them! This is an extremely harsh desert landscape, and it’s amazing that anything can survive out here. Each sign along the way will teach you about wildlife in the area. They even have a section of information specifically for kids, making this a great family-friendly trail.
Hiking in the dunes is unique because it’s not possible to have a permanent trail in this ever-changing landscape. Instead, look for the trail markers that show you where to go. On this trail, these markers are blue with a club symbol. Always spot the next trail marker before continuing on your way. It’s easy to get lost or disoriented out here!
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, drive 2.5 miles along the Dunes Drive Road to reach the parking area for the Dune Life Nature Trail.
4. Playa Trail
A desert landscape often has playas, which are low areas that temporarily fill with rainwater after storms. This trail travels along the edge of a lovely playa with spectacular views of the dunes in the distance!
What You Need to Know
Despite the simplicity of this 0.5-mile stroll, you’ll likely have this area all to yourself! It’s a great place to go to find solitude and beautiful views.
It would be tough to get lost on this trail, but there are green trail markers with heart symbols to follow along the way. Interpretive signs also explain more about what a playa is and the effect it has on its desert environment.
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, drive 2.5 miles along the Dunes Drive Road and look for the small pullout across the street from the Dune Life Nature Trail. Park here in the pullout to begin the Playa Trail.
5. Sunset on the Dunes
A sunset at White Sands simply cannot be missed — it is the most enchanting and breathtaking way to enjoy the sand dunes. Admiring the glistening white sand accented by the pinks, blues, and golds of the setting sun will likely be the highlight of your trip!
What You Need to Know
There are a couple of great options for enjoying the sunset in the park. Our family loved hiking out to our own dune and spending time playing in the sand and taking pictures as the sun went down. There was no one else around — it was a truly magical evening that I will never forget!
Another option is to take the ranger-led Sunset Stroll. It begins about an hour before sunset and gives you time to explore the dunes with a park ranger.
The program ends as the sun sets so that you can enjoy the scenery and snap photos. The sunset stroll is extremely popular…there were probably 60 people or so on the stroll when we were there, so you likely won’t get much solitude.
The park generally closes just after sunset, so plan on heading out as soon as the sun goes down.
Getting Here
If you choose to view the sunset on your own, pick a spot along the Dunes Drive in the heart of the dunes (near the picnic areas). Park and hike out to a nearby dune.
If you choose to join the sunset stroll, drive about 5 miles from the Visitor Center along Dunes Drive. There is a large parking area specifically for the ranger program just after the paved road ends.
Enjoy these 5 incredible things you can’t miss on your first visit to White Sands National Park. Have a great time and happy trails!!
Do you offer to step-on guide at White Sands for group bus tours? If not, do you know of any step-on guides for White Sands?
I don’t, sorry!
we will be visiting White Sand in April, wanting to know if we get off the trail, can we walk our dog with us, so we don’t have to leave her in the car?
Yes, you can. You can read through the park’s pet policy here: https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/pets.htm
Just wondering if the end of June would be too hot to go? Thank you!
It will probably be around 100 degrees during those summer months, so it’s not the most popular season to visit the park. You can go, but it will be hot!
Hi! Do we need to reserve spot to have sunset with ranger? What time is sunset on first day of May? If park close at 7 pm Thank you
You can get all that info here: https://www.nps.gov/whsa/planyourvisit/sunset-stroll.htm Enjoy!
Love to go but Over an hour out of the way on our journey to Phoenix. Is there any other place about 30 minutes sw of the national park where we could see and experience the white sands?
Not that I’m aware of…I haven’t seen anything that compares to the beauty you’ll find in the park!
Hi, and thank you for all your insights, is it really freezing during the day In January? As I would like to visit mid January.
January is usually pretty nice during the day (50-degree temps), but really cold at night. Sometimes it snows, but typically not enough to last very long. I think it’s a good option!
Hi,
Thanks for sharing some tips.
Which is the best trail I should take to get the nice undisturbed sand dunes “waves”. Most dunes nearby picnic or parking area mostly have been disturbed.
Thanks
The Alkali Flat Trail or a smaller parking area along the Dunes Drive. We have no problem getting those wavy photos by hiking just a little further than everyone else. Most people stay close to their cars.
Sleding sounds like a lot of fun, “But” In my opinion I don’t think the necessary wax is good for the fragile enviorment. I would have to sacrifice a little fun for the sake of this gem of a landscape.
That’s a good point! Rangers are always researching our effect on the parks…I wonder if anyone’s looked into that?
We are planning on going during our spring break, at the very end of March 2021. I have read that there can be windstorms during that time. Do the windstorms last all day/evening? Are they more likely to occur during the morning, afternoon, evening?
Thanks!
Yes, we almost always encounter heavy winds as we travel the southwest in the spring! Afternoons are usually worse than mornings, but they can happen at any time of day.
FYI,
I thought I read that there was some type of land exchange and agreement with the government and the park dose not close anymore for missile training so of the new NP status.
I think there are some arrangements being made, but as of right now the closures are still happening. I’m not sure what will change/if anything now that it has become a national park. I’ll be sure to update the information here if anything changes. Thanks!
May I know do you need a 4-wheel
Drive to go here, coming from california (fwy 10 east bound). Can i just use a regular sedan? Also outside the national park is there any thing worth checking out?
White Sands is located along a main highway, so no 4WD needed. Have fun!
Thank you for the useful information. Are there weekend passes if I want to take pictures at different times of the weekend? What do you suggest of I want pics of the sunrise, during the day and also at sunset?
Passes are typically good for 7 days. The park is beautiful at sunrise and sunset, but I’d suggest driving out into the dunes area and then getting out of your vehicle and hiking away from people!
Hi! I want to go in December for a phone shoot with my Fiance. Will it be feasible? Or too cold? Also are there nice sunsets then?
It’s a little on the cold side, but definitely still doable…just keep an eye on the weather as it gets closer. Sunsets are awesome out there! Have a great time!