If you are looking for a fun winter adventure with temperatures starting to freeze across the United States, look no further! White Sands National Park should be on top of your list.
As always, here’s our speedy scoop so you can get the information you need at a glance!
| Top Activities: Dunes Drive, Interdune Boardwalk Trail, Alkali Flat Trail, Sledding |
| Best Months to visit: Sep-May (best months being Nov-Dec) |
| Getting there: Private Car or Rental/ Flight to Roswell |
Why is winter the best time to visit White Sands National Park?
As someone who has visited this park in both the seasons (Summer and Winter), let us tell you few key reasons that make this a winter visit:
- White sand dunes dominate the landscape with very less vegetation, mostly small desert plant. Summers feel hotter as the sunlight directly hits the dunes during the day.
2. The temperatures are mild during the day in winter which makes it perfect for exploring the different trails in national park
Pro Tip: Apply a generous amount of sunscreen since you will be spending a lot of time under direct sun!
| Spring (March-May) | Temperatures are not too hot so you can still enjoy the park. Cacti and other desert plants also bloom with wildflowers in this season |
| Fall (September-November) | Perfect time to visit the park as the temperatures are mild. You will find the park most crowded during this period |
| Winter (December-February) | December is the best month to this national park. The park can experience strong windstorms on some days but this is still a good time to plan your trip. Less crowded |
| Summer (June-August) | The sun is too hot during these months and will leave you with a sunburn. If you are planning a trip during these months, its best to visit the park early morning. |
Planning for the Trip
Before we dive into the must-visit places, let’s look at some key points that will help you be better prepared for the trip:
- If you are someone who loves visiting US National parks and generally visit at least 3 of them in a year then America Beautiful Pass is the best option for you. The pass costs $80 per year and can be used in all the national parks without any limits for a year. This saves you from having to pay a $25-$30 fee per day every time you visit a national park.
2. Check the national park website for important updates about the weather in White Sands National Park. This will help you be prepared for any road closures, drifting sand warnings or park closure due to its proximity to missile test site
3. White Sands National Park is best experienced on a sled/sand board. You can rent a sled for $15 from the visitor shop at the entrance of the park. If you wish to buy the sled, it would cost you around $25
Pro Tip: Do not forget to get some wax for your sled. It slides best on the dunes when plenty of wax is rubbed onto the underside
Things to Do in White Sands National Park
If you are visiting only for a day, here are the top things you should explore in the park:
Dune Drive
Think snow, but not snow! That’s how you feel when you drive down this road. The 8-mile scenic drive starts from the visitor center and takes you through all the important sites in the park. If you plan to drive this road end to end, it will take about 45 minutes for a round trip. We suggest taking your time through this drive and enjoying all the trails and photo spots this park has to offer.
Interdune Boardwalk
If you are looking for a short hike to start off your day here at the park, you should definitely try the Interdune Boardwalk trail. The trail takes you through an elevated boardwalk where you pass signs that explain more about the terrain of the national park. If you are travelling with kids, this is a fun way to educate them about the park.
The trail is only 0.4 miles roundtrip and is considered an easy hike.
Alkali Flats Trail
If you ask someone about White Sands National Park, this is the trail they will speak about. It is a famous hike in the park and rightly so! It’s a 5-mile loop trail that offers uninterrupted views of white gypsum sand. It is generally considered strenuous and if you plan to do this hike, make sure you carry plenty of water and a cap. There are markers along the hike to guide you, but in case you miss it, turn back around to the trailhead.
Sledding
If you are planning to visit only for a day, you might not have enough time to do the complete Alkali Flat hike. We couldn’t hike this trail either. Instead we did the best thing ever! We got our sleds out and had fun sliding on white dunes.
While the Roadrunner picnic area is a popular spot for this activity, we found the Alkali Flat trailhead to be much more thrilling. With tall dunes and a good incline, they are ideal for a smooth sledding experience. Sure climbing up the dunes every time you slide can get a little tricky, it is all part of the fun! You should absolutely not miss this experience.
Pro Tip: We went in December when the temperatures were still mild, so there were a lot of people sledding at the Alkali Flat trailhead. To avoid crowds, you can walk a little further into the trail and find your own dune.
Sunsets and Photos
If there is one thing we absolutely love, it’s chasing sunsets. We make it a point to never miss a sunset when we are travelling. After a day of hiking, driving and sliding on dunes, you should find a good spot on the dunes and settle in for a spectacular sunset.
While you wait, make use of the stunning white landscape and get some good pictures. The blue sky and white sand dunes dotted with little vegetation, make for a perfect picture spot.
Sharing one of our own sunset pictures here!
