White Sands National Park
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: national park, outdoor adventure
White Sands National Park, the world’s largest gypsum dune field, dazzles with brilliant white sands that stretch for miles. Whether sledding, hiking, or watching the sun dip behind the San Andres Mountains, this surreal landscape promises unforgettable photo moments.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Go Sand Sledding – Glide down soft gypsum dunes on a saucer sled, available for rent or purchase at the park’s gift shop. Wax up for speed and sled near the Roadrunner picnic area.
- Drive the Scenic Dunes Drive – Follow the 16-mile round-trip route deep into the dunes for trail access, photo stops, and mesmerizing light shows at sunrise or sunset.
- Hike the Dune Life Nature Trail – Follow blue trail markers along this one-mile loop where desert scrub meets gypsum dunes, revealing one of the park’s most diverse ecosystems.
- Watch the Sunset – Catch fiery skies and dramatic shadows across the dunes. On weekends, join a ranger-led Sunset Stroll timed perfectly with the day’s last light.
- Join a Ranger Program – Explore deeper with ranger-led moonlight hikes or take a tour to Lake Lucero, where you’ll see sparkling selenite crystals that form the gypsum sands.
Itinerary Idea: Explore White Sands National Park with a self-guided driving and walking tour that covers its rolling dunes, mountain views, and unique ecosystem. Learn about the area’s history—from prehistoric animals to Apache stories.
Photo Credit: Benoit LaMarche/Unsplash