Do you enjoy spending time outdoors, but are tired of your area’s parks and evergreens visited by millions of tourists every year? The lesser-known national parks all have a unique charm and usually have something you won’t find anywhere else.
One of them stands out the most. Located in the heart of the Tularosa Basin in southern new mexico you will find the White Sands National Park – a beautiful deserted area created from glistening white dunes.
Not just any desert
What makes this place so special is the ‘sand’ itself. Because it’s not just sand you know from beaches or other deserts, it’s almost pure gypsum.
Like sugar or salt, gypsum dissolves in water and is usually washed away from the mountains during rainfall. However, because the Tularosa Basin is fairly closed, gypsum remains contained. Here it covers more than 270 square miles, making it the world’s largest gypsum dune field.
Top activities and attractions
The best way to explore the park’s beautiful landscape is via its 5 hiking trails.
Playa trail And Nature trail Dune life are the shortest and easiest, perfect to hit if you go with your family. It takes no more than an hour to walk them.
On the other hand, Interdune promenade is also short but high and offers fantastic views at the end.
For an afternoon walk you can opt for the Camping route in the hinterland or Alkali flat track. Note that although the latter has the word ‘flat’ in the name, there are still some that run upwards.
Alternatively, you can take a scenic drive through the park. The Driving dunes is a 13 kilometer long one-way road suitable for normal vehicles, motorcycles, campers and bicycles. Along the way you will find some trailheads, picnic areas and towing spots that are definitely worth a stop.
Tobogganing is a popular activity at White Sands. All you need is a plastic sled that you can bring with you or purchase from the gift shop (there are no sled rentals).
Best time to visit White Sands National Park
You can see from the character of the area that White Sands National Park is a very rugged area. Therefore, the best time to visit it is in autumn, winter or spring. The temperatures are mild and you avoid the scorching sun.
What we don’t recommend is to plan your trip for the summer, because it gets extremely hot, around 35°C and sometimes even more. It is also the wettest season of all, but only about two inches of rain falls per month.
Where to stay
There are 10 backcountry campsites in the park. However, they are currently being reconstructed and there are no exact dates for reopening.
Therefore, is the best place to stay Alamogordo. The town is approximately 15 miles from the park and offers plenty of accommodation and dining options.
What else you need to know
The sun is bright in White Sands, so don’t forget to bring plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.
Also check the operating hours before you leave so you don’t get trapped. The park opens at 7am and closes between 6pm and 9pm, depending on when the sun sets.
Are you traveling with your furry friend? Dogs on a leash are allowed everywhere except the visitor center.
