The World’s Largest Gypsum Dune Field Hides Rare White Lizards and Ancient Lake Beds in New Mexico

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

White gypsum dunes stretch as far as you can see in southern New Mexico, creating the world’s biggest gypsum dunefield.

This is White Sands National Park, where you can sled down bright dunes, spot kit foxes in their natural home, and walk through what feels like an alien world.

Here are the most amazing ways to explore this natural wonder.

Dune Sledding At The Dunefield

You can sled down the glistening gypsum dunes at White Sands on plastic saucers available at the park gift shop for $20 each or bring your own smooth plastic sled. 

Head to Heart of the Sands area for the tallest dunes with 30-40 foot drops. 

The best sledding happens after rain when the sand is packed and faster. 

Rangers recommend applying non-stick cooking spray to your sled bottom for better gliding. 

Wear closed shoes as the sand can reach 150°F in summer. Morning sledding (8-10am) offers cooler temperatures and shorter lines. 

The eastern dunes near parking lot 4 have gentler slopes perfect for beginners. 

Remember to return rental sleds by 4:30pm for your $10 deposit back.

Backcountry Camping Under Desert Stars

You can camp overnight among the dunes at one of ten designated backcountry sites available by permit ($3 per person) from the visitor center. 

The sites sit 1.5 miles from the trailhead with markers guiding your way. 

Pack everything you need as there’s no water in the backcountry. Each site accommodates up to six people and sits in a natural bowl offering wind protection. 

Summer nights stay warm (70-80°F) while winter temperatures drop below freezing. 

The campsites opened to visitors in 1997 and require all waste to be packed out. 

A backcountry camping video orientation is mandatory before getting your permit. 

Sites often fill by noon during spring and fall, so arrive early.

Alkali Flat Trail For Experienced Hikers

The 5-mile Alkali Flat Trail takes you through the heart of the dunefield to the edge of ancient Lake Otero’s dry lakebed.

Red posts every 100-200 yards mark the route. 

Bring at least one gallon of water per person as temperatures on the sand can exceed 100°F from May through September. 

The trail gains and loses 250 feet of elevation as you cross numerous dunes. Most hikers take 3-4 hours to complete the loop. 

The trail is rated difficult due to deep sand and lack of shade. 

Cell service is spotty, so download an offline map. 

Start early in the morning to avoid afternoon winds that can reduce visibility to under 50 feet during spring months.

Interdune Boardwalk For Accessibility

The 650-yard Interdune Boardwalk lets everyone experience the dunes with its wheelchair-accessible elevated path. 

The boardwalk rises 4 feet above the sand with 10 educational stations explaining the ecosystem. 

You’ll see specialized plants like soaptree yucca and sand-verbena that thrive here. 

The path includes three covered rest areas with benches. 

This boardwalk was renovated in 2022 with sustainable composite materials. 

Spring visitors (March-May) might spot wildflowers blooming between dunes. 

The boardwalk connects to a paved 400-foot nature trail perfect for those who want a brief sand experience. 

Boardwalk lights turn on for evening programs during summer months.

Sunset Strolls With Rangers

Join daily ranger-led walks an hour before sunset to see the dunes transform with changing light. 

These free one-hour programs begin at the sunset stroll parking area (mile marker 3) with no reservation needed. 

Rangers point out animal tracks, discuss survival adaptations, and lead you to prime sunset viewing spots. 

The strolls cover about one mile round-trip over gentle dunes. 

In 2025, Monday walks focus on park history, Wednesday walks on desert ecology, and Friday walks on night sky features. 

Program schedules change seasonally, so check the park website. 

Walkers regularly spot kit foxes and jackrabbits during these evening hours. Bring a light jacket as temperatures drop quickly after sunset.

Native Plant Garden Exploration

Visit the Native Plant Garden by the visitor center to see desert plants that survive around the dunes. 

This compact 0.3-acre garden showcases 40 species of native plants with identification signs. 

The garden path is fully accessible and takes about 20 minutes to explore. You’ll learn how skunkbush sumac was used by indigenous peoples for dye and how Apache plume seeds spread by wind. 

The garden was established in 1983 and completely renovated in 2023. Four water-harvesting basins demonstrate sustainable desert gardening techniques. 

The best blooming period is April through June when desert marigold and penstemons add color. 

Free garden tours are offered every Saturday at 10am from March through October.

Full Moon Night Events

Experience the dunes glowing under moonlight during monthly full moon events when the park extends hours until 11pm. 

Live music performances start at 8:30pm at the visitor center amphitheater. 

The 2025 schedule features local southwestern bands and Native American flute players. 

Moon viewing is best from Dune Life Nature Trail where rangers set up telescopes. 

Park entrance fees ($25 per vehicle) apply but the program itself is free. 

Full moon events originated in 1994 and now attract over 500 visitors each month. 

Temperatures can drop 30 degrees after sunset, so layers are essential. 

The visitor center and gift shop remain open during these events. 

Gypsum sand reflects moonlight brightly, making flashlights unnecessary for walking the dunes.

Picnicking Among The Dunes

Enjoy meals at picnic areas scattered along Dunes Drive with tables and grills surrounded by white sand. 

Loop A contains 62 sites while areas along the main drive offer more secluded options. 

Each site has a table, grill, and most have shade structures. 

All picnic areas were upgraded in 2023 with new concrete pads and metal tables. 

The Heart of the Sands picnic area (mile marker 4.5) offers the most dramatic dune views. 

Sites are first-come, first-served with busiest times between 11am-2pm. 

Drinking water is available only at the visitor center, so bring your own. 

Elevated grills keep charcoal fires 12 inches above the sand to prevent gypsum from melting. 

The west-facing sites offer sunset views over the San Andres Mountains.

Lake Lucero Tours

Take the Lake Lucero Tour to see where the white sands begin as selenite crystals in the remnants of ancient Lake Otero. 

These ranger-led tours run monthly ($15/adult, $8/child) and require advance reservations. 

The tour includes a 15-mile drive over a restricted gravel road followed by a 1.5-mile walk. 

You’ll see selenite crystals up to 3 feet long growing in lake bed mud. 

Tours accommodate 25 people per group with departures at 9am and 1pm. 

The lake area receives only 8 inches of rainfall annually but can flood briefly after summer monsoons. 

This area was added to the national monument in 1941 and contains Paleo-Indian artifacts dating back 10,000 years. 

High-clearance vehicles are recommended for the access road during wet conditions.

Dunes Drive Scenic Route

Drive the 16-mile round-trip Dunes Drive for an easy overview of the park’s amazing landscape. 

The first 4 miles are paved, while the last 4 miles (one-way) are hard-packed gypsum. 

Eight roadside pullouts have interpretive signs explaining dune formation and wildlife. 

The drive takes about 45 minutes without stops. Speed limits are strictly enforced (25mph paved, 15mph unpaved) to prevent accidents with wildlife. 

Road conditions are updated daily on the park website. 

The drive was completed in its current form in 1982 and resurfaced in 2024. 

During summer, vehicle overheating is common, so check your coolant levels before entering. 

The Dunes Drive closes at sunset except during special events.

Visitor Information

You’ll find White Sands National Park at 19955 Highway 70 West, Alamogordo, NM 88310, between Alamogordo and Las Cruces. 

Entry costs $25 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) or $15 per person if walking/biking in. 

The park is open daily year-round except for Christmas Day, with gates opening at 7am and closing times varying seasonally (7-9pm depending on time of year). 

The Visitor Center operates from 9am-5pm (9am-6pm during spring break and summer). 

Important to note: the park occasionally closes for up to three hours during missile tests. 

Call ahead at 575-479-6124 ext. 236 to check for closures. 

Digital entry passes are available through recreation.gov to save time at the entrance. 

The park features restrooms, picnic areas, and a gift shop where you can purchase sleds for dune riding ($20, with $10 deposit returned if you bring it back).

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