White Sands National Park, nestled in the heart of south-central New Mexico, protects the world’s largest gypsum dune field. This glistening landscape, located in the northern reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert within the Tularosa Basin, offers an otherworldly experience. The park’s elevation varies from 3,890 to 4,116 feet above sea level, encompassing approximately 275 square miles of dune fields, with 115 square miles within the park boundaries. The remaining area is situated on restricted military land. These dunes are incredibly dynamic, with the most active shifting northeastward by up to 30 feet annually, while other areas remain relatively static. The unique composition of these dunes comes from pure gypsum, originating in a mineral-rich ephemeral lake or playa in the park’s western section. As the water evaporates, leaving behind gypsum deposits, wind action sculpts them into the stunning white sand dunes we see today. Despite harsh conditions including cold winters, hot summers, and limited surface water, a variety of specialized plant and animal species thrive in this remarkable environment.
Plan Your Visit to White Sands
For those planning a visit to White Sands National Park, the visitor center is conveniently located on Highway US-70, between Alamogordo and Las Cruces.
Mailing Address: PO Box 1086 Holloman AFB, 88330
Phone: (575) 479-6124
Website: National Park Service – White Sands
Directions to White Sands National Park
From Alamogordo, NM:
The visitor center is a short 15-minute drive west on Highway US-70, approximately 15 miles from Alamogordo on the right-hand side.
From Las Cruces, NM:
Driving east on Highway US-70 towards Alamogordo will take about 1 hour. The visitor center will be on the left-hand side of the road, about 52 miles east of Las Cruces, just past the Border Patrol station.
From El Paso, TX:
There are two routes to reach White Sands from El Paso:
Via Las Cruces: Approximately 1.5 hours. Take I-10 West towards Las Cruces for 39 miles, then merge onto I-25 North for about 7 miles. Exit onto US-70 East towards Alamogordo and continue for 52 miles to the visitor center.
Via Alamogordo: Also about 1.5 hours. Take US-54 East towards Alamogordo for roughly 82 miles. Turn left onto US-70 West towards Las Cruces. The visitor center will be about 15 miles on the right.
White Sands National Park offers a truly unforgettable landscape and experience in New Mexico.
