White Sands National Park

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 Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here.

Picnicking:
There are a total of 62 shaded tables in the three designated public picnic areas. Tables are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There are typically plenty of picnic tables for everyone to enjoy. Some tables are ADA accessible, and each has an elevated grill.
Personal grills are allowed in picnic areas and pull outs along Dunes Drive. When using personal grills, charcoal must be removed from the park. If using one of the park’s grills, please leave the charcoal in the grill and douse with water.
Large groups
In the Roadrunner Picnic Area there are two picnic pavilions that will accommodate groups up to 20 individuals. These tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For larger groups, the Group Use Area offers a private location with several picnic tables and one large picnic pavilion. The group use area also has two grills and a vault toilet. Reservations are required to use this area.

Directions to the Park
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 park can be found between mile markers 199 and 200 on Highway US-70.

From Alamogordo, NM:
Drive time: About 15 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.
Through Las Cruces:
Drive time: 1.5 hours
1) 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.
Through Alamogordo:
Drive time: 1.5 hours
2) 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.

GPS Coordinates
32° 46′ 45″ North, 106° 10′ 19″ West