Backcountry Camping
Backcountry camping is closed for rehabilitation of camping sites. No reopening date has been determined. There is no water available anywhere in the park; visitors must bring all water they need.
Dunes Drive Safety Corridor
Dunes Drive is open. A safety corridor is in effect between mile marker 3 and 5.5 along Dunes Drive. Visitors may drive but not stop or exit their vehicle in this area.
High Winds Expected
Wind and blowing dust advisories are in effect today, April 17, with gusts up to 50 mph. Do not hike during a windstorm, and do not rely on your footprints to return to your car. Closely monitor the weather while you are in the park.
Alkali Flat Trail Closures
Alkali Flat Trail will be closed for the following times in January for military testing: 1/15/2025 8:00am - 1:00 pm, 1/22/2025 8:00am - 1030 am, 1/27/2025 8:00am - 10:30 am, 1/28/2025 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm, 1/30/2025 08:00 am - 1300 pm
Interdune Boardwalk Closed
Due to the active safety corridor, the Interdune Boardwalk is closed. Please visit the park visitor center to learn about other options during your visit.
Roadwork on July 1 and July 2 May Limit Access to Portions of the Park
Park staff will be working to remove sand from the roadway on 7/1/2025 and 7/2/2025 from 7:00 am until 9:00 am. The park will remain open during however access to certain portions of the park may be limited.
Park Closures
From time to time the missile range that surrounds the park performs military testing that may require the closure of the park or Highway 70. Please plan your visit around upcoming military tests.
RV and Tractor Trailer Parking at the Visitor Center
There is limited space for parking for recreational vehicles and trailers in the parking lot directly in front (south) of the visitor center. RVs are asked to not park in the lot behind the visitor center. There is no parking space for tractor trailers.
No Water Available at Park
There is no water available at the park until further notice. Water fill stations and restrooms are all out of order. Vault toilets are available at the visitor center and inside the park. Visitors should bring all the water they need for their visit.
Backcountry Camping Closed
Backcountry camping at the park is closed. There is no established opening date at this time.
Visitor Center Temporarily Closed
The visitor center will be closed for the remainder of today, Thursday, May 22.
About
Backcountry camping at White Sands National Park provides an extraordinary opportunity to spend the night surrounded by brilliant white gypsum dunes. The ten primitive campsites are accessed via the Backcountry Camping Loop Trail, a 2-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike through 40-50 foot dunes. The trailhead parking area is located 6.5 miles from the visitor center along Dunes Drive, and hikers follow orange spade trail markers to reach their assigned site. The campsites are entirely primitive with no amenities whatsoever. There is no water, shade, restrooms, tables, or chairs at the sites. The nearest vault toilet is approximately one mile from each campsite. Campers must bring at least one gallon of water per person per day and pack out all trash and waste following Leave No Trace principles. Open campfires are prohibited; only camp stoves elevated at least six inches above the sand are permitted. When operating, permits are issued on a same-day, first-come, first-served basis at the entrance station until approximately one hour before sunset. The park gates lock after sunset and campers cannot leave until the following morning. Campers must vacate their site by 1 p.m. the next day. Summer temperatures can exceed 100°F, and the park recommends not starting hikes when temperatures reach 85°F or above. Winter nights frequently drop below freezing.
Directions
Backcountry campsites are located along the Backcountry Camping Loop Trail. The trailhead parking area is on Dunes Drive, 6.5 miles from the visitor center.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | No |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $1.5 - $3 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| whsa_interpretation@nps.gov | |
| Phone | +1 (575) 479-6124 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Photos
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