National Park · NM
White Sands National Park
White Sands is quietest in January and February and busiest in March.
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.
697K recreation visits a year on average (2023–2025)
Data: NPS visitation 2023–2025 · crowd scores computed Oct 2026 · alerts checked Oct 18, 2026. How this is calculated →
Computed from federal data · Methodology by Sharon Ben-Moshe
Pick a month to visit White Sands
This week
7-day forecast
| Day | Conditions | High | Low | Precip chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 19 | Overcast | 75°F | 49°F | 30% |
| Tue 20 | Light drizzle | 77°F | 53°F | 23% |
| Wed 21 | Overcast | 82°F | 66°F | 10% |
| Thu 22 | Rain showers | 81°F | 67°F | 67% |
| Fri 23 | Thunderstorm | 78°F | 64°F | 67% |
| Sat 24 | Drizzle | 74°F | 62°F | 38% |
| Sun 25 | Light drizzle | 68°F | 63°F | 29% |
Forecast data by Open-Meteo
Source: Open-Meteo
Weather
Monthly climate normals
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | — | — | 0.5" |
| February | — | — | 0.4" |
| March | — | — | 0.4" |
| April | — | — | 0.3" |
| May | — | — | 0.5" |
| June | — | — | 0.5" |
| July | — | — | 1.9" |
| August | — | — | 1.9" |
| September | — | — | 1.5" |
| October | — | — | 0.9" |
| November | — | — | 0.5" |
| December | — | — | 0.7" |
Source: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, WHITE SANDS 1.3 ESE, NM US
Know before you go
Fees & hours
- Entrance fee
- $25 — Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.
- Hours
- The park gates always open at 7:00 am with closing hours changing with sunset. The park closes 30 minutes after local sunset. Local sunset is 8 minutes earlier than Alamogordo's predicted sunset. Sunset times can be found at https://sunrise-sunset.org/us/alamogordo-nm
Source: NPS Data API
Conditions
Current alerts
- Information
RV and Tractor Trailer Parking at the Visitor Center
There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.
- Information
Park Closures
From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.
Details on nps.gov → - Information
Interdune Boardwalk Closed
Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.
- Information
Backcountry Camping Closed
Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
- Park Closure
Dunes Drive Safety Corridor
Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.
Details on nps.gov →
Source: NPS Data API
FAQ
White Sands questions
When is the best time to visit White Sands?
White Sands is least crowded in January, February, and August. March is the busiest month, so visiting outside it means thinner crowds and easier parking.
How much does it cost to visit White Sands?
Entrance to White Sands costs $25 (Per vehicle fee is charged to visitors for entry by a single, private non-commercial vehicle. Entrance fees are valid for reentry for seven consecutive days from the date of purchase.).
When is White Sands busiest?
White Sands is busiest in March, when crowds rate 10/10 (peak). Expect full parking lots and longer waits; arrive early or choose a quieter month.
How crowded is White Sands during holidays and fee-free days?
Holiday weekends (Memorial Day, Labor Day, Fourth of July) and official NPS fee-free days typically bring peak crowd conditions to White Sands. Arrive before 8 AM or after 3 PM to secure parking and avoid peak trail congestion.