What to do in White Sands National Park with Kids
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With a mid-day visit to white sands national park, we set up a tripod and had a mini photo shoot!
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I had so much fun taking photos all around white sands national park
If you’re looking for what to do in White Sands National Park with kids or without, you’re in the right place. There are several fun things to do in White Sands. While the park is geographically large, it’s easy to experience the park with only one day at White Sands. Some may ask, is White Sands worth it? The answer is absolutely YES. It is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in the USA and is one of the best things to do in New Mexico with family. White Sands is one of the newest of all of the 63 National Parks; being upgraded from a National Monument to a National Park in January 2020. Whether you are traveling with kids or without, you’ll fall in love with this otherworldly National Park. White Sands National Park is visited by approximately 608,785 people annually and is about is 242,756 acres. It is the 37th largest National Park of the 62 in the United States.
Every visitor to White Sands National Park should make a stop at the Visitor Center to get a park map, get a weather update and info about the park’s road conditions and possible closures. You can also visit HERE to see up-to-date hours. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for finding out the parks more off the beaten path spots. Inside the Visitor Center, you will find White Sands Trading Company gift shop. This shop has a variety of snacks, sandwiches, and drinks, as well as an array of souvenirs. You can also find educational souvenirs, including puppets, DVDs, and books.
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When to Visit White Sands National Park
The Spring (March-May) the temperatures average around 75ºF during the day with the evenings cooling down to 40ºF. It’s necessary to say that this is also the windiest time of year for the National Park and if you’ve ever been whipped by sand, you’ll know why this could make a visit miserable. Winds can reach up to 50 mph during this time. Winds aside, the moderate temperature makes this an ideal time to visit. Call ahead and check the weather conditions.
Summer is the most popular time to visit White Sands National Park. (June-August) We visited in June ourselves. The daytime temperatures average 95ºF and drop down to 50-60ºF in the evening. With the increase of visitors during this time, you’ll want to get to the park as soon as it opens and be willing to walk further into the dunes to see it with no footprints or people. It’s worth noting that weather changes more quickly and dramatically during this time, so be sure to call ahead and check the weather before heading to the park. The rainy season starts in early July, so expect late afternoon and evening thunderstorms.
The Fall in White Sands National Park brings average daytime temperatures of 80ºF and drops to around 40ºF at night. Fall is the best time of year to visit White Sands National Park in my opinion. Crowds are thinner, the weather is moderate and temperatures are mild. This is also the time of year that the Cottonwood trees are blooming, so visitors will be rewarded!
The Winter in White Sands National Park has daytime temperatures of around 60ºF and drops to around 23ºF at night. The dunes do experience snow, so keep this in mind if you’re planning to backcountry camp during these months.
The average annual weather for reference courtesy of Weather-us.com
How to get to White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is amazing and it’s convenient to get to if you’re already traveling along I-10 through New Mexico and West Texas. To give you an idea of how long it will take to get to the park, here are a few examples.
Obligatory national park sign photo!
How far is White Sands National Park from El Paso? 90 Minutes
Alamogordo to White Sands National park is 19 minutes
Albuquerque to White Sands National park is 3 hours 30 minutes
Tucson to White Sands National park is 4 hours 50 minutes
Santa Fe to White Sands National Park is 4 hours and 40 minutes
White Sands National Park is easiest accessed from Alamogordo, New Mexico or El Paso, Texas. It is a very easy drive and doable as a day trip.
READ NEXT: Big Bend National Park with Kids
Where to Stay in White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park Camping:
Backcountry Camping in White Sands National Park:
The only camping available in White Sands National Park is backcountry camping. There are absolutely no amenities. No water, no restrooms, no electricity. RVs and Campers are not allowed to stay overnight in White Sands. To read all of the details about White Sands New Mexico Campgrounds HERE.
READ NEXT: How to ENJOY Tent Camping with Toddlers
a view of the dunes from inside of our campervan (We didn’t camp inside the park, just parked close)
Where to Stay Outside of Whtie Sands National Park
We stayed at Holloman air force base’s fam camp
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Recommended Camp Grounds:
KOA Alamogordo/White Sands: The White Sands KOA is located only 20 minutes from White Sands National Park. They offer White Sands RV camping and tent sites plus have cabin rentals! With a large rec room, covered outside patios, and a pool, your family will love reconnecting over a campfire at KOA! In addition to White Sands, take the family to learn about New Mexico's role in the U.S. space program through interactive exhibits at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Explore ancient rock drawings at the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, just 30 miles north. Or you can take a stroll through the Alameda Park Zoo!
Hotels in Alamogordo: Use the map below to find a hotel in Alamogordo based on your family’s budget and need!
What to do in White Sands National Park with Kids
There are several things to do in White Sands NM. From hiking to scenic drives to sledding (yes, sledding!), to nature trails! Below are all of my recommended things to do at White Sands National Park whether you’re traveling with kids or without!
1) Hike:
The most popular thing to do in White Sands National Park is hiking and exploring the Sand Dunes. You don’t have to hike far to enjoy the solitude in this park however.
***Per the National Park Service: “If you are new to the park, consult with rangers at the visitor center before heading out on your hike. Rangers will provide advice about trails as well as recommendations for different fitness and experience levels. It is recommended that you do not start a hike if the temperature is at or above 85°F (30°C).”
White Sands National Park Hiking Safety Tips
Best Hikes for Toddlers in White Sands National Park
We did a lot of hiking around and laying in the sand!
Interdune Boardwalk: This easy .4 mile family friendly trail is fully accessible for people using wheelchairs and strollers. Hikers are rewarded with placards to learn about the science, geology, plants, and animals that make White Sands an unequaled natural wonder. There is shade provided and this walk takes about 20 minutes to complete.
The Playa Trail: This easy .5 mile family friendly round trip hike is perfect for families with young children. The trail is level and has exhibits along the walk to help educate visitors about the importance of a playa undergoing constant change and how this process helps continue the ecosystem. Most hikers will complete this trail in about 30 minutes.
Best Hikes for Kids in White Sands National Park:
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK IS AMAZING FOR FAMILIES
The Dune Life Nature Trail: This moderate one-mile loop takes hikers over two steep dunes. This trail is an educational trail created with families in mind. This family friendly trail get’s you up close to the packed gypsum sand. Many native animals inhabit the areas around this trail to include: kit foxes, rodents, birds, badgers and reptiles! This hike take about 1 hour to complete.
Best Hikes for Teenagers in White Sands National Park:
Backcountry Camping Trail: This moderate 2 mile trail takes hikers through the heart of the dunes. Hikers will climb several steep dunes and be rewarded with the amazing views of this one of a kind place. NOTE: There is no shade, not water and no facilities along this trail.
Alkali Flat Trail: This strenuous 5 mile round trip hike is not flat at all. Hikers will be taken along the remnant of Lake Otero and hiking up and down dunes the entire trek. NOTE: There is no shade, not water and no facilities along this trail.
heading to the peak of the dunes to see how far out the sand goes
2) Go Dune Sledding!
I had so much fun sledding down the dunes over and over again!
One of the most popular things to do in White Sands National Park is to go sledding down the dunes!! If you’re on a day trip to White Sands and can only do one thing - choose sand sledding! Sledding is something every age group can enjoy together. Unlike snow sledding, sand sledding isn’t slippery and you can do it in shorts and flip flops! Sleds can be purchased at the visitor center (call ahead to be sure they have stock) or you can bring your own into the park. We used a round plastic snow saucer sled and waxed it up before heading down the dunes. Dune sledding is exhilarating and is one of the super unique things to do with kids in New Mexico.
3) Become a White Sands National Park Junior Ranger:
White Sands National Park offers 4 different levels of Junior Ranger badges, so no matter what age your child is, there is a program for them. With the Junior Ranger program, your child will have a wildlife checklist, puzzles, scavenger hunts and practice desert safety! Be sure the Junior Ranger badge is a part of your White Sands National Park itinerary.
You can download a Junior Ranger Booklet HERE or visit the White Sands National Park Visitor Center to pick one up!
Learn more about the White Sands National Park Junior Ranger program HERE.
I was so excited to finally experinece white sands national park for myself
4) Bicycling
Bicycling in White Sands National Park is a once in a lifetime experience. This is the only place in the world that offers biking on hard-packed gypsum sand. It’s recommended for cyclists to be alert and experienced before attempting a day of cycling here. There are a few extra rules for safety about biking in White Sands National Park, find them HERE.
The Gypsum sand seemingly goes on forever
5) Take a Scenic Drive:
We drove our Campervan, Uncle Rico along the scenic road several times.
White Sands National Park has an amazing 8-mile scenic drive along the road called Dunes Drive. The first 5 miles of Dunes Drive is paved and then transitions to a hard-packed gypsum sand road. The road is constantly maintained and is safe to drive on with any type of vehicle. Dunes Drive takes visitors from the Visitor Center near the entrance of the park out to seemingly endless sand dunes. While the drive usually takes around 45 minutes to complete, plan to spend much longer to stop for photos and maybe even to go sledding down the dunes. Click HERE for up to date road conditions in White Sands National Park.
READ NEXT: 10 Tips for Road tripping with Toddlers
6) Ride Horseback in White Sands National Park:
Explore White Sands National Park on Horseback! Visitors are allowed to bring their own horses into the park for a unique experience of trail riding across hard packed gypsum. For full details and rules about horseback riding in White Sands National Park, click HERE.
7) Take a self-guided Native Plant or Wildlife Tour:
Even though White Sands is located in the arid Chihuahuan desert and experience harsh environmental conditions, animals and plants have adapted and now thrive here. If your trip to White Sands National Park is between mid-March and Late November, this self-guided Native Plant tour is perfect to add to your itinerary. During these months the wildflowers begin blooming, the soap tree yucca is in bloom from April through may, the Colorado four o’clock blooms throughout the summer and so many other plants blossom in this desert environment. You can download a free audio tour HERE. As you take your tour, fill out one of THESE field journals to remember what you see and document each plant or wildlife species you encounter.
WE CAME ACROSS THIS LIZARD WHILE OUT ON THE DUNES!
Turn your memories into wall art with these custom National Park Posters from Just Go Travel Studios
White Sands National Park is the perfect destination for families. There is so much amazing wildlife, wildflowers, and sweeping gypsum dune views! Be sure to grab your Júnior Ranger Badge, drive the park road, learn about the ecology, and sled on the dunes while visiting White Sands National Park! No matter whether you try out backcountry camping or stay in nearby Alamogordo, White Sands National Park is an unforgettable adventure.
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