Info/Tip
Sand Sledding is a popular activity at White Sands National Park, the visitor center gift shop sells sled and wax, but if you’d have one to bring or buy one at walmart or target before heading into the park it is much cheaper. Remember to bring wax.
Check NPS site for tour offered, the Lake Lucero is only offered once a month between October – March. Other tours such as sunset walk are available as well.
White Sands National Park is next to White Sands Missile Range when missile testing is in progress roads to White Sands National Park may be closed temporarily, check the missile testing schedule before going.
There are several US border patrol check points on the way to White Sands National Park, we came across two checkpoints, one on Highway 54 north from El Paso to White Sands, one on Highway 70 East.
Weather – in summer the sand can get hot bring plenty of water if hiking the sand dunes. When we went end of October the sun was shining but the sand was cool to the touch.
Things to do
Dune Drive
Dunes Drive is a 16 miles round trip scenic drive from visitor center into the dunefields with several overlook/hiking trailheads along the way, this is the main drive to see the sand dunes
Hiking Trails
The trails are well marked, there are total of 5 marked trails
Playa Trail
This is the first trail on Dunes Drive, a short easy 0.5 miles round trip hike with first views of the white sand dunes.
Interdune Broadwalk
Very easy and accessible (stroller/wheelchair will be ok) 0.4 miles round trip trail. We found some cool animal tracks on the way.
Alkali Flat Trail
Don’t be fooled by the name this is not a flat trail, this is one of the more challenging trails, total 5 miles round trip through the heart of the dunes. The trail is well marked but be sure you see the next trail mark before proceeding, it is possible to get lost of direction with all the white sands all around you. We only did a short hike in and out and did not do the whole trail. The view is amazing so definitely worth checking out. There are some great spots for sledding as well.
Dune Life Natural Trail
Due to time limit we only did a short walk on this trail, this is a 1 mile round trip trail.
Backcountry camping Trail
We did not check out this one
Sand Sledding
Since we did sand sledding very recently in Great Sand Dunes National park, kids were not interesting in sand sledding this time. We did watch others sand sledding and picked a dune to run down.
Lake Lucero tour
This was the highlight of our visit to White Sands National Park. When planning this trip we found out that the day we planned to visit had the Lake Lucero Tour. The tour is only offered once a month between October and March, reservation is required. More information on NPS site. Lake Lucero is the birthplace of the white sands. The lake was dried up for the season and that’s when you can see all the Selenite crystals and it’s beautiful sparkly in the sun.
Sunset view
We’ve heard and seen pictures that White Sands has amazing sunset view and ranger led sunset/moon hikes. However, due to our schedule we did not stay for sunset.
Nearby Attractions
Lincoln National Forests
We are driving East towards Carlsbad Cavern and choose to drive through Lincoln National Forests with a night stay on the way in Artesia, NM. We had a quick stop at the Trestle Vista Observation Site Bridge and had originally planned for dinner at Mad Jack’s Mountaintop Barbecue in Cloudcroft (unfortunately, the restaurant was closed when we got there), we did get a bit sunset view while at the observation site.
Return to New Mexico and Texas 8 Days Itinerary
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