White dunes in foreground with sun setting behind mountain.
Sunsets are one of the most popular times to visit White Sands. Visitors can experience sunset every day of the year. NPS Photo

White Sands National Park

National Park · New Mexico · National Park Service

Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.

Plan your visit

Know before you go

Phone
5754796124
Official site
www.nps.gov
Managed by
National Park Service

Getting there

Directions on Google Maps →

What's here

Highlights: Architecture and Building · Animals · Birds · Fish · Dunes · Fossils and Paleontology · Geology · Groundwater

Activities & features: Auto and ATV · Scenic Driving · Biking · Road Biking · Camping · Backcountry Camping · Food · Picnicking · Guided Tours · Hiking · Junior Ranger Program

Photos

  • Aerial of white sand dunes.
    NPS Photo
  • Close up view of ripples on a dune.
    NPS Photo
  • Cottonwood trees with orange leaves.
    NPS Photo
  • Grey shadows on dunes.
    NPS Photo

Nearby parks

Parks of New Mexico

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48 parks mapped in New Mexico

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Sources: National Park Service, Google Places · updated 2026-08-12