White Sands National Park – Everything You Need to Know

White Sands just became a National Park in 2019, deservedly so. It is located near Alamogordo, New Mexico, and is known for its striking white gypsum sand dunes, which cover an area of 275 square miles (712 square kilometers). Did you know it’s the largest gypsum dune field in the world?

THE GEOLOGY:

Around 250 million years ago the region was covered by a shallow sea. Over time, the sea evaporated, leaving behind thick layers of gypsum and other minerals. Around 70 million years ago, the region was uplifted as a result of tectonic forces, creating the mountain ranges that surround White Sands. This exposed the gypsum deposits to erosion, and as the surrounding mountains eroded, the gypsum was freed and carried into the Tularosa Basin.

The unique aspect of the White Sands area is due to the fact that gypsum is highly soluble in water. Most sand is composed of quartz, which is not water-soluble, but gypsum readily dissolves and is carried away by water. However, in the case of White Sands, the surrounding mountains are made of non-soluble rocks, such as granite and limestone, which prevents the gypsum from being carried away by rivers and streams.

Instead, the gypsum remains within the Tularosa Basin, where it is broken down into fine grains and blown by the wind, forming the expansive white sand dunes that characterize the landscape of White Sands National Park.

HOW TO VISIT:

The nearest town is Alamogordo, NM. There are hotels and campgrounds there. We stayed at the White Sands KOA in Alamogordo, which had nice wide sites that can hold big rigs. But they also have tent sites.

You could also visit for the day from Las Cruces, NM (52 mi.), Albuquerque, NM (225 mi.), or El Paso, TX (96 mi.). In fact, we’ve also stayed in Las Cruces at a shipping container AirBnb, which had a view of the Organ Mountains. That was a memorable stay!

WHAT TO BRING:

Sled/saucer – Pick up on a one of many stores in Alamogordo, or bring one from home if you’re driving. You can sled down the dunes in designated areas.

Picnic – There is a very cool picnic area with many individual shelters providing shade and a place to sit.

Your Pet – Dogs/pets are allowed!

Sunscreen – The sun is brutal, and there is no shade other than in the picnic area.

CAMPING IN THE PARK:

⛺️ The park has two campgrounds, the first-come, first-served Sunset Campground and the reservation-based group campsite. Both campgrounds can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 40 feet long (Ours was too long 😢). There are no hookups available, so RVs must be self-contained. It’s important to note that due to the popularity of the park, campsites can fill up quickly, especially during peak season, so it’s best to make reservations in advance if possible.

NEARBY:

Besides White Sands Alamogordo offers other things to do as well. There are a few Pistachio groves that you can tour or just shop for bags of Pistachios. They have many restaurants – we had Mexican food with Hatch Green Chilies. And if you’re into microbreweries 575 Brewing Co. has a nice shaded patio, and good beer and appetizers.

⚠️Remember to leave no trace.