Welcome to the White Sands National Park
“It is a place where the Earth has chosen silence. But oh, what a way to speak.”
At White Sands National Park, everything slows down. The sun is louder than sound, the dunes shift like time itself, and your footsteps fade faster than memories. This isn’t just a desert; it’s a dreamscape.
Blindingly white. Shockingly quiet. And impossibly vast.
These gypsum dunes, the largest of their kind in the world- feel like snow, behave like sand, and carry stories etched in silence. Ancient beasts once roamed here. Apache warriors once fought here. Scientists once changed the course of history here. You’ll find it all under this endless New Mexico sky.
This GPS-guided audio tour is your key to unlocking it. Follow the path across both road and sand, with stories triggered automatically, even offline. Whether you’re cruising along the scenic drive or hiking the Alkali Flat Trail, the narration unfolds in tandem with the landscape.
Some moments you’ll never forget:
The Dune Life Nature Trail, where unlikely creatures burrow beneath soft white hills.
The Interdune Boardwalk, where the desert blooms when no one’s looking.
The Alkali Flat Trail is your window into a sea of white that never touches an ocean.
Tales of ancient mammoths, Apache grit, and the weight of the atomic age- all under one sun.
Disclaimer: Gypsum may feel soft, but the stories here aren’t. Step lightly; history echoes louder when the sand doesn’t.
NOTE: For updated road conditions, you can visit the alerts section on nps.gov. Entrance passes are required for all visitors. Please click on entrance fees to know more.
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White Sands National Park Map
Where To Start?
For Best Experience, We recommend starting from: White Sands Visitor Center, 19955 US-70, Alamogordo
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. We are working with Apple for a resolution.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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Dune Life Nature Trailhead
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Gypsum
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Interdune Boardwalk
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Sunset Stroll Meeting Area
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Flora and Its Survival Strategy
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Alkali Flat Trail
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Backcountry Camping Trailhead
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Visitors shouldn’t miss stops like the Dune Life Nature Trailhead and the Sunset Stroll Meeting Area for breathtaking views and unique experiences.
Yes, visitors are encouraged to explore the park by car and can drive their own vehicles along designated routes.
The driving tour can typically be completed in a few hours, depending on how much time visitors spend at each stop and any additional hikes they choose to do.
Early morning or late afternoon is ideal for the best lighting and cooler temperatures, especially during hot summer months.
Yes, there is an entrance fee to access White Sands National Park, which helps support park maintenance and conservation efforts.
Pets are allowed in designated areas of the park but must be kept on a leash at all times and are not allowed on trails.
Yes, there are restroom facilities available at various stops throughout the park for visitors’ convenience.
Bring plenty of water, sun protection, comfortable walking shoes, and a camera to capture the stunning scenery.
Visitors are welcome to take photographs for personal use, but commercial photography requires a permit.
There are no food concessions within the park, so visitors should bring their own snacks or plan to eat before or after their visit.
Yes, backcountry camping is permitted in designated areas of the park, but permits are required, and visitors should be prepared for primitive camping conditions.