White Sands is one of the most unique national parks in the country, with plenty of activities for the whole family. Here are a few of the best things to do at White Sands National Park:
Sledding: White Sands is famous for its bright white gypsum sand dunes, a unique geological feature that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Not only do the dunes look as white as snow, but you can actually sled down them just like fresh powder. Bring your own sled or rent one from the visitor’s center.
Hiking: If you just want to head out and explore the dunes, the best way is to take any of the park’s hiking trails. With about 230 square miles of soft white sand to explore, you can easily spend all day just wandering along the trails, enjoying the solitude and the striking natural beauty of the dunes and the mountains in the background.
Photography: The park’s unique landscape of rolling white dunes attracts photographers from all over the area. If you’re lucky, you might be able to snap pictures of some of the animals in the park, including roadrunners, porcupines, and a herd of African oryx introduced to the New Mexico desert in the 1970s.
Dunes Drive: If you’re visiting White Sands for the first time, get a taste of the park by taking the Dunes Drive, a 45-minute scenic drive that takes you into the heart of the gypsum dune field. If you’re a cyclist, you can also take your bike down the Dunes Drive as long as you wear bright colors so you stand out from the sand.
To make the most of your trip, check out our White Sands National Park Self-Guided Driving Tour, or you can sign up for Action+ and gain access to over 100 tours for a single yearly price.
Essential Travel Guide:
