White Sands National Park

we are from Ohio and I'd never been to New Mexico. We had to drive to Arizona due to a family death went through New Mexico. I Googled what was a must see in NM and white sands was one of the top things. Unfortunately it was very cold so uncomfortable to be outside. 15 degrees and windy so we took most of my pics from the truck. We got there at dusk and the light was soon gone so spent the night in the area to return in the morning. We did but so cold. We didn't have alot of time to wait for it to warm up as needed to drive towards Ohio. The sand was very white but looked tan from inside our truck. The sand was super fine like powder. I'd been instructed to bring sunscreen sunglasses and extra bag for shoes. None of that was needed since we many stayed in the truck. Bathrooms at entrance do flush but in unhealed building so uncomfortably cold in the winter.

We came to White Sands National Park after looking up things to do in New Mexico. Boy, was this place worth the drive! It's incredible that you have these beautiful dunes in the middle of the desert. First off you do not need a reservation but you do have to pay a $25 entrance fee. I suggest doing this before you get to the gate otherwise you have to pull over to do so. Booking online was fast and easy. Once you enter, everyone is going to stop at the first parking lot they see so that one was full every single time. Instead go to the second one. The dunes are beautiful! You can rent a slide to slide down them or just walk up the dune and enjoy the view, which is stunning! Definitely check out this National Park if you're nearby.

We visited this park before our drive home to Texas. The park is just southwest of Alamogordo, New Mexico and not far from Holman Air Force Base. There is a visitor's center near the main entry road. The center had a small display explaining about the park and how the sand dunes came to be. The staff was helpful. You don't pay for entry to the park here, though. That is done just a bit farther into the park and a drive up kiosk. One thing we did before leaving the visitor's center was use the public restrooms. I am taking of a star for this review because these were some of the worst restrooms my wife and I have ever used and an embarrassment to the NPS! Not only were they not clean but the urinals had been removed from the walls with pipes left sticking out. The paint on the walls and doors was in bad shape. Honestly, I have been in better public restrooms in rural India and China that had more to offer than these.Once inside the park you drive the main road in and it eventually forms into a big loupe road. There are different areas to park, the don't want you just stopping on the road but only in the parking areas. There is a section that is off limits to visitors due to an air force jet crashing there earlier this year but it is well marked with yellow tape. We parked at the parking lot at the far north end and went out hiking on the Alkali Flats trail in search of places for pictures. Very pretty but if you want to find sand dunes without foot prints you have to hike out quite a distance from the main trail. We did and took some nice sunset pictures and then hiked back. Luckily they mark the trail with tall red stakes within sight of each other so you have pretty clear idea of how to get back to the car.

This place is just so beautiful! I will say not knowing too much of what to expect and having visited sand mountain before... I did think it be more mountainous. They're dunes. And it's just so cool. I've never been to any place like this before and it feels hard to explain but what we came to is it was like a mix of like playing at the beach and in the snow. Worth whatever detour or as a destination!

This review is for Alkali Flat Trail which was a ~4.4 miles round trip that took ~3.5 hours to complete.Alkali Flat Trail was one of the longer hikes that allows you to immerse yourself through the sand dunes of White Sands National Park. Follow the trail markers or get a general direction through AllTrails. However, the sand dunes change often with the wind. Detours around the steep sand dunes are recommended or make your own paths! You won't be able to drive into the park before 7am until the ranger unlocks the gate. Bring a sled or purchase one from the gift shop!Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/ubN-1XzMVpU

Wow we loved this park! The sand is SO white and shimmering.We did 2 trails, had a picnic at one of the cute areas, explored the visitor center and ended with watching the sunset!Such a fabulous full active day!

A trip to white sands national park. The white sands is a very beautiful and peaceful place. There are spots where you will find people riding the dunes with sleds and boards. Great hiking but bring plenty of water and be sure to read the warning signs before hand on Dehydration and information. Pretty cool place to see. Reminds you of taking a trip to the snow but without the cold. White sands has been used in many movies as well. Westerns: Hang 'Em High (1968), Four Faces West (1948), The Hired Hand (1971), My Name Is Nobody (1973), Bite the Bullet (1975), and Young Guns II (1990) Action movies: Transformers (2007), Transformers 2 (2009), and The Book of Eli (2010) Other films: King Solomon's Mine (1950), The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), White Sands (1991), The Men Who Stare at Goats (2008), Year One (2008), and Yoga Mind & Body (1994) Filming locations in the park include the White Sands Visitor Center and the White Sands Missile Range. Great place to visit!

Highly recommend stopping by if you're doing a trip from San Antonio, TX, to California! If you're in the military, you could apply for the American the Beautiful National pass, and this will grant you free access to the place. This place is kind of in the middle of nowhere but there is a waterfall/spring about 1 hour away you can also check out if you have time.Going into this place, you will be passing border control. They did not inspect my car or anything -- simply asked what I was doing and if I have any fresh fruit that I am bringing.Upon arrival, you can stop by the gift shop or go directly into the White Sands National Park. At the gift shop, there are maps you can pick up that shows the different hiking trails, picnic trails, and recommended places for sledding. The gift shop employee had recommended sliding down an already-made trail. They also sell sauced to sled down for about $25/pop. An alternative is buying a saucer on Amazon for $20 or so, or using a waxed shoe box! Sledding down the Gypsum sand dunes of White Sands was the highlight for the day. It took us a few tries due to using a waxed shoe box instead of a sauce, but we made it work! The sand also was surprisingly on the cooler side. It was finer than regular sand on the beach.

Had a blast! Easy to rent the sleds and get money back upon return. Definitely a workout! Going down is fun...going up-lots of leg and cardio work! My kiddo and I had a blast. The sand is cool to the touch and doesn't stick to you as bad as beach sand. Will definitely do again!

Whites Sands should be on everyone's bucket list. Just about 45 minute drive northeast from Las Cruces. We were able to rent a sled and sled down some dunes. The area was vast so we found our own area away from other visitors. The sand is cold to the touch even though the air temperature was warming up. Entrance to the park was $25 (exact change or card only). It was fun playing there. They had shaded picnic tables so bring food and drinks. Enjoy!!