Visiting White Sands National Park

Planning a trip to White Sands National Park and need some help planning your trip?

Here is the National Park Obsessed guide for visiting White Sands National Park, New Mexico.

Table of Contents

[show]

The Quick Guide to Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve
National Park Obsessed’s Detailed Guides to Denali National Park
National Parks Near Denali National Park
- National Park Service units within a 4 hours drive
- National Park Service units within an 8 hours drive
Pin for Later: Visiting Denali National Park National Park and Preserve: The Complete Guide

The Quick Guide to Visiting White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park Basics

Region: Southwest / Intermountain / West Coast

Park Size: 145,762 acres (227.75 sq miles) (589.88 sq km)

Location: Otero and Doña Ana Counties

Closest Cities: Alamogordo, New Mexico

Busy Season: Steady Year Round

Visitation: 608,785 (in 2019)

How much does White Sands National Park Cost?

White Sands National Park costs the following:

7-day Passenger Vehicle Pass – $25
7-day Motorcycle Pass – $20
7-day Individual Pass – $15

An annual White Sands National Park Pass costs $45 but it is not recommended you buy this pass. For an extra $55 you can get an American the Beautiful Pass. This $80 pass offers free admission to all 116 fee-charging National Park Units.

When is White Sands National Park Open?

White Sands National Park is open year-round but experiences regular closures during missile tests on the nearby White Sands Missile Range. Click here to see upcoming closures.

Are dogs allowed in White Sands National Park?

Yes, White Sands is one of the most dog-friendly National Parks. Dogs are welcome to explore the dunes and on hiking trails. Please review the White Sands Pet Policy before bringing your dog to White Sands.

Where are White Sands National Park’s visitor centers?

White Sands Visitor Center – Open Year Around

Land Acknowledgments for White Sands National Park

The National Park known as White Sands National Park sits on Mescalero Apache and Tampachoa (Mansos) lands.

Thank you to the Native Land Digital for making the Indigenous territories accessible to all. They have mapped the known territories to the best of the current knowledge and is a work in progress. If you have additional information on the Indigenous nations boundaries, please let them know.

Native Land Digital is a registered Canadian not-for-profit organization with the goal to creates spaces where non-Indigenous people can be invited and challenged to learn more about the lands they inhabit, the history of those lands, and how to actively be part of a better future going forward together.