Winter is The Best Time of Year to Visit White Sands National Park
Given that I only had a weekend, I opted for the swiftest option.
Here are my tips for exploring one of America’s newest national parks, White Sands National Park:
1. Winter is hands down…
About five years ago, I hiked around Guadalupe Mountains National Park—making a pitstop at Carlsbad Caverns National Park since it was in the vicinity. I honestly agreed to the detour because of its national park designation. After walking through caverns before, I wasn’t sure how Carlsbad would be any different. I was clearly wrong after the cave tour led by a ranger who even sang in the dark depths of a cave tunnel to portray the incredible acoustics found down in the depths of those caverns.
Also in southern New Mexico, nearby Carlsbad Caverns, is White Sands National Park. At the time it was a designated national monument. As someone who isn’t the biggest fan of sand, I didn’t make any effort with the friends I was traveling with to justify another detour before we headed back to Austin, Texas.
Naturally when White Sands received the designation of national park in 2019, I was peeved I didn’t explore it when I had the chance. When would I make a trip down to southern New Mexico again for this park?
Fast forward to last summer when I was on the search for a winter marathon. The only cold marathon I could find in January? The inaugural Las Cruces marathon. Las Cruces, New Mexico happens to be about a forty-minute drive from White Sands National Park.
I didn’t need any convincing. I was sold.
After a little planning and a few months of training, I ran my best marathon yet, and enjoyed a visit to my 41st national park in great company.
I flew into El Paso’s international airport as it’s only an hour from Las Cruces, New Mexico. If I had more time, I would have flown to another airport in New Mexico and roadtripped around the state. Given that I only had a weekend, I opted for the swiftest option.
Here are my tips for your visit to one of America’s newest national parks, White Sands National Park:
1. Winter is hands down the best time of year to visit.
It’s the off-season. Lines were non-existent and temperatures were mild. I despise extremely warm temperatures, so visiting this park right after New Year’s made me enjoy it so much more than I would have in the summer when I’m usually traveling.
2. Check sunset times before planning the next day’s visit.
Living in New England, the sun sets rather early in the winters. I was pleasantly surprised when I checked my weather app and noticed how “late” sunset was at White Sands for my visit.
Knowing what time the sun sets helped me adjust the day’s schedule to arrive to the park earlier than I was originally planning to in order to capture all of sunset.
3. Give yourself extra travel time to arrive.
Whether it’s the immigration stop, obtaining a National Parks Pass, or adding a new magnet to your collection at the Visitor Center – you may want to come well in advance of sunset to savor the sun before it falls behind the ridgeline.
The first evening I visited, I naively thought I could just park right away and catch sunset minutes before. Little did I realize I would need time to find parking, walk across the sand a bit, and find a good spot. By the time I did that, the sun had already set past the mountain range in the distance.
I lucked out when I turned around and saw a full moon ascending above the other mountain range as a pastel palette colored the sky.
4. Park at Sunset Stroll and wander.
There truly is no wrong away to go about exploring the sand dunes at White Sands. There are a few longer hikes out onto the sand, but it can easily be a park you visit for a few hours. If I return, I’d love to backcountry camp overnight on the sand to see the sunrise.
On both of my visits, I parked near the Sunset Stroll sign, which has ample parking. This is also the designated spot for a ranger-led walk. It’s a few miles into the park.
The park itself has less than ten miles of road.
I walked over a sand wall that honestly looks like snow on a New England street after the plows went through, and traversed until the only light that guided me came from the moon.
5. If you have time for a longer trek, try out the Alkali Flats trail.
Alkali Flats is White Sands’ longest hike. It’s a five-mile loop, and despite its “flat” name, walking up sand dunes is not your daily sidewalk dog walk. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy this loop.
6. Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass.
Visiting more off-the-beaten-path parks like White Sands isn’t the most affordable. A way to save (if you plan on visiting a handful of parks a year) is to purchase an annual parks pass.
Every year, I purchase the America the Beautiful pass. For $80, I can access any U.S. National Park for a year from the purchase month for free. Obviously it is not technically free, but a week’s visit to White Sands is $25. This entrance fee is valid for seven consecutive days from the day of purchase. Purchasing the annual pass also encourages me to fulfill my yearly goal of visiting two new national parks. I already paid for the pass, so it only makes sense to use at least $80 worth, right?
A handful of parks are free to enter, while others are $30. Check out this list for days that many fee-required national parks are free for a day.
Tip for New England hikers
The America the Beautiful pass also grants you free parking at national forests. For busy parking lots that charge for parking in the White Mountains National Forest, this means free parking!
If you enjoyed learning about this national park, then you’ll love exploring these parks:
Visit America's Newest National Park: The New River Gorge, WV
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