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.
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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.
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Jennifer Melroy
Jennifer is a long time national park blogger and the founder of National Park Obsessed. She is a dedicated National Park lover who is working on visiting all 63 US National Parks. She has currently been to 58 of the National Parks. She is dedicated to sharing her knowledge of the Parks with others and helping them learn to love the parks as much as she does.