Explore White Sands National Park with Your Dog
White Sands National Park is a stunning desert paradise in southern New Mexico that is dog-friendly!
With endless opportunities for exploration, from hiking to sledding to sunset picnics, White Sands offers a unique experience you and your dog will never forget.
This blog will cover trip planning, our packing list, and an overview of activities in this fantastic park.
Fun Facts about White Sands
Before we dive into the details, let's start with some fun facts about White Sands National Park:
275 square miles of gypsum dunes, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world!
The sand at White Sands is not actually sand - it is gypsum, a soft mineral that feels like cool powder to the touch.
It was established in 1933 as a national monument.
It was redesignated as a national park in 2019.
The white sand dunes are constantly shifting due to wind and weather patterns, so no two visits to the park are the same.
Home to a variety of wildlife, including foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and several species of reptiles and birds.
Plan Before You Go
If you're planning to bring your pup on a visit to White Sands National Park, it's important to pack everything your dog will need to have a safe and comfortable experience.
Here's our packing list for our visit to White Sands with our two golden retrievers
White Sands Packing List
✅ Backpack
✅ Water Bottle for You: There are no water sources within the park, so it's important to bring enough water for both you and your dog
✅ Dog Water Bottle or a collapsible water dish is also handy for on-the-go hydration
✅ Dog Food and Treats: We use Ellie and Emma’s food as training treats
✅ Food for You: There are no restaurants or stores within the park itself
✅ Eye protection for your dog
✅ Poop bags: It's important to keep the park clean and protect the ecosystem
✅ Leash, collar, and harness: Dogs must be on a 6-foot leash at all times in the park. This is for their safety and the safety of other visitors and wildlife.
✅ Sunscreen: The sun can be intense in the desert
✅ Sunglasses
✅ Blanket if you think you’ll sit to eat or rest. We were too active with the pups and decided to leave the blanket in the car.
✅ National Park Pass or entrance fee
✅ Phone or camera for epic photos!
Ellie's Pro Tips
1️⃣ Consider visiting during a cooler time of year, such as October through April.
2️⃣ Go at the time of day with the coolest temperature because there is limited to no shade.
3️⃣ Sunset is a must-see.
4️⃣ Hydrate early and often.
5️⃣ Check the wind forecast. High wind on sand dunes can make it hard to see and enjoy the area.
6️⃣ Don’t miss the sledding.
7️⃣ Have fun! White Sands is a beautiful and unique destination. Take plenty of photos and enjoy the breathtaking scenery with your dog.
8️⃣ Did I mention you should see the beautiful views at sunset? 😍
Sledding at White Sands
Sledding at White Sands National Park is a unique and exhilarating experience. The park's endless dunes of soft, white gypsum sand provide the perfect setting for an unforgettable sledding adventure.
You can rent plastic sleds from the park's gift shop and hike up to the top of the dunes for a thrilling ride down. The steep slopes and powdery sand create a fast and smooth ride, perfect for adrenaline seekers of all ages. Ellie and Emma weighed down the sled too much to actually go fast, but it makes for a cute photo!
If you’re staying at a rental home, check to see if previous visitors left a sled for you to borrow. Our AirBnB had 6 plastic sleds available and ready for us to use!
Hiking at White Sands
White Sands is VERY dog friendly! They are allowed to go anywhere in the park except the Visitor Center.
*Rules are subject to change. Please check the park’s website before visiting.
There are 5 established hiking trails with markers in the sand to help you navigate. You also can create your own path, which is what we did with Ellie and Emma.
We drove to the back and parked at the Alkali Flat Trail (which is actually very hilly!) and walked up and down the dunes by the parking lot.
We spent about an hour and a half exploring the first day, frequently offering Ellie and Emma water and rest breaks. The sand stays cool for their paws, but we were mindful of how long they were in the sun and heat.
Visit the National Park Website here to learn more about each hiking trail.
Parking at White Sands
To make sure you have a smooth and hassle-free experience, here's a guide on how to park at White Sands:
1. Arrive early: The earlier you arrive, the better your chances of finding a parking spot. For us, the park opened at 7 am, but it is best to check their website for current park hours.
2. Check the park's website: For us, the park opened at 7 am, but this could vary. One day they were doing military testing nearby and the park opened 2 hours late. Before heading to the park, check the official website for any updates or closures.
3. Use the overflow lot: White Sands has an overflow lot near the park entrance. From there, you can take a shuttle to the main entrance and start your adventure. Parking was definitely not an issue when we went early April.
4. Be mindful of parking restrictions: When parking, follow all posted signs and park only in designated areas. Parking on the dunes is not allowed and can result in a fine.
Note: The park's road and parking areas are made of sand, so driving slowly and avoiding sudden movements is essential to avoid getting stuck.
Nearby Cities
White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico, USA.
The closest cities to the park are Alamogordo, about 15 miles to the southwest, and Las Cruces, about 50 miles to the south.
We stopped at the grocery store in Alamogordo for meals at our AirBnB and snacks for the hike.
We found lodging in Cloudcroft, NM, about 45 minutes to 1 hour from White Sands National Park. Cloudcroft is located in the Sacramento Mountains which means our house was at almost 8000' elevation.
We enjoyed the alpine forest environment, with a mix of spruce, fir, and aspen trees.
Ellie and Emma's favorite hike here was Osha Trail, a 2.5-mile loop in the Lincoln National Forest.
The trail has scenic views of the surrounding forest and distant views of White Sands National Park.
Memories for a Lifetime
The stunning gypsum dunes at White Sands National Park have been one of my favorite destinations with my wife, Katie, and our two golden retrievers.
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If you have any feedback, questions, comments, or just want to talk about your pup… We’ll see you in the comments!! 🤗
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