White Sands National Park Tours

Overview:

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 Monument 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 10,000 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.

2018 White Sands National Monument Events

Lake Lucero Tours
2 pm Saturday, January 27
2 pm Sunday, February 25
9 am Saturday, March 24
9 am Sunday, April 29
10 am Saturday, Nov 24
10 am Saturday, Dec 29

Sunrise Arts
6:00 am Saturday, March 17
6:00 am Saturday, October 20

Full Moon Hikes
7:45 pm Monday, May 28
8:00 pm Wednesday, June 27
8:00 pm Thursday, July 26
7:30 pm Saturday, Aug 25
6:45 pm Sunday, Sept 23
6:00 pm Tuesday, Oct 23

Step through Time
10:00 am Saturday, November 3

Summary of Fees - White Sands National Monument Tours

Please report to the Small Range Missile Gate for the Lake Lucero Tour, which is 25 miles southwest of the visitor center. Please see directions under Tour Notes.

Directions to the Monument
The visitor center and Dunes Drive is located directly off of Highway US-70 between the cities of Alamogordo and Las Cruces. The entrance to the monument can be found between mile markers 199 and 200 on Highway US-70.

Fill up your gas/diesel tank in one of these two cities before to proceeding to the monument. The nearest gas station is 13 miles towards Alamogordo.

From Alamogordo, NM:
Drive time: About 20 minutes
Head west on Highway US-70 towards Las Cruces. The visitor center is located about 15 miles (24 km) west of Alamogordo on the north side (right-hand side) of the road.

From Las Cruces, NM:
Drive time: About 1 hour
Head east on Highway US-70 towards Alamogordo. The visitor center is located about 52 miles (84 km) east of Las Cruces on the north side (left-hand side) of the road, one mile (1.6 km) past the Border Patrol station.

From El Paso, TX:
There are two ways to arrive at White Sands from El Paso.

1) Through Las Cruces:
Drive time: 1.5 hours
Take I-10 West towards Las Cruces. After 39 miles (62.76 km), exit onto I-25 North. Follow I-25 North for about seven miles (11.27 km) and then exit onto US-70 East towards Alamogordo. The visitor center is located about 52 miles (84 km) east of Las Cruces on the north side (left-hand side) of the road, one mile (1.6 km) past the Border Patrol station.

2) Through Alamogordo:
Drive time: 1.5 hours
Take US-54 East towards Alamogordo. After 82 miles (131.97 km), turn left onto US-70 West towards Las Cruces. The visitor center is located about 15 miles (24 km) west of Alamogordo on the north side (right-hand side) of the road.

Public Transportation:There is no public transportation that currently serves the monument. Cars may be rented in Alamogordo, Las Cruces, and El Paso.

The closest airport is in El Paso, TX, about 85 miles (136.79 km) from the monument.