White Sands National Park Tours
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.
You're about to become part of an amazing legacy that stretches back in time over more than 20,000 years. Seemingly stark and barren, the 275 square miles of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes are home to an amazing diversity of life, weaving a spell over all who visit. The dunes offer countless opportunities for discovery and it is our sincere hope that you will have fun, make lifelong memories, and develop a deep connection to a place that has provided spiritual and physical sustenance to humankind for thousands of years.
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.
You're about to become part of an amazing legacy that stretches back in time over more than 20,000 years. Seemingly stark and barren, the 275 square miles of brilliant white gypsum sand dunes are home to an amazing diversity of life, weaving a spell over all who visit. The dunes offer countless opportunities for discovery and it is our sincere hope that you will have fun, make lifelong memories, and develop a deep connection to a place that has provided spiritual and physical sustenance to humankind for thousands of years.
Need to Know
The park offers Lake Lucero tours once per month November through March. The Full Moon Hike is offered once per month the night before the full moon night from April through November. Please check Park Ranger Programs on the park website for the current schedule.
Operating Hours and Seasons: With the exception of Christmas Day, December 25, the park is open daily and year-round. Park operating hours vary by season. The park is occasionally closed for periods of time due to military tests on the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. Check the park's Current Conditions web page for closures.
Fees and Passes: White Sands charges an entrance fee separate from tour fees, currently $25 per vehicle. You may pay the fee upon arrival at the entrance station or purchase in advance. The park also honors valid America the Beautiful-the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands passes (also known as an interagency passes, e.g., Senior, 4th Grade, Military, etc.).
Pass Discounts: Pass discounts are not available for White Sands Tours
Water: There is NO WATER available in the dunefield area. Water is only available at the visitor center.
Be prepared: Water and closed-toe shoes are required for all programs. Hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses are also strongly recommended for all programs.
Restrooms: Accessible restrooms are located at the visitor center. Vault toilets are available throughout the dunefield.
Carpooling: Parking for programs is very limited. Please carpool with friends and family.
Young children: Due to moderate to difficult conditions (i.e., sun, heat, rough trails) on our programs, it is not recommended to bring young children and infants on our programs. Programs are not stroller-accessible.
Pets: Pets are allowed in park and on most programs. Pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times. Owners must clean up after their pets.
Accessibility: Programs are not wheelchair or stroller accessible. Service animals are allowed at all park facilities open to the general public. The visitor center, restrooms, and Interdune Boardwalk are fully accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and other wheeled devices.
Cancellations: Weather at the park can vary drastically and change quickly. The decision to cancel a program due to weather is rarely made more than 30 minutes before the program start time. Call the park at 575-479-6124 ext. 236 if you would like to confirm that a program is still scheduled. If a program is canceled, it will not be re-scheduled.
Refunds: will be provided for ticket cancelations up 24 hours before the program. Refunds will also be provided for programs that are canceled by park staff for any reason PRIOR to program start time. Refunds will not be issued for programs that have started and then canceled by park staff for any reason.
Changes and Cancellations
No refunds once tour starts. See Facility Rates for fees.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
PO Box 1086 Holloman AFB NM 88330
Phone Number
575-479-6124 x 236
