Good to know
- Tickets
- The park charges a per-person entry fee, covered by the America the Beautiful pass. Check nps.gov for current rates.
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 hours for the drive, a short walk and sledding.
- Best time
- October to April for mild days; sunset is the best time for photos. Summer afternoons are very hot.
- Getting there
- The entrance is about 20 minutes southwest of Alamogordo. Nearest major airport is El Paso, about 1 hour 30 minutes' drive; Albuquerque is about 3 hours 30 minutes.
Where to stay nearby
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White Sands National Park questions
Can you sled at White Sands?
Yes. Buy a plastic saucer at the visitor center gift shop and use it on the dunes along Dunes Drive.
Why does White Sands close sometimes?
The park sits beside White Sands Missile Range, and tests can close Dunes Drive and nearby US 70 for a few hours. Closures are posted on the park website.
Where should I stay to visit White Sands?
Alamogordo has the closest hotels. Las Cruces is about an hour away with more choices.
