Agnostik
National Park · NM

White Sands National Park

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.

nps.gov ↗

Photos

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.
Aerial of white sand dunes.
The dunes at White Sands cover 275 square miles of the Tularosa Basin.
Close up view of ripples on a dune.
The wind shapes and moves the dunes as a whole but gives each individual dune the texture of ripples.
Cottonwood trees with orange leaves.
Fall is a wonderful time to visit as most of our plants with leaves change beautiful colors.
Grey shadows on dunes.
As the sun changes its angle through the sky it allows shadow to roll across the dunes.

Activities

  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Biking
  • Road Biking
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Food
  • Picnicking
  • Guided Tours
  • Hiking
  • Junior Ranger Program