About White Sands National Park 

White Sands National Park is one of America’s newest national parks, having only gained national park status in 2019.

But as a national monument, it’s been a popular destination for decades.

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert in New Mexico, White Sands protects a dazzling dune field of white gypsum sand.

In fact, it’s the largest gypsum dune field in the entire world!

The unique landscape is the result of an incredible geological process millions of years in the making and is home to animals with unique adaptations to the white environment.

Come explore this peculiar, but easily manageable national park with a Shaka Guide tour.

Where is White Sands National Park? 

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White Sands National Park is located in the middle of southern New Mexico. It’s pretty easy to spot on Google Maps if you’re on satellite mode–just look for the big white splotch in the middle of the desert!

The park’s actually wedged between two gigantic military installations: Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range.

The nearest city is Alamogordo, just 15 minutes away from the park entrance.

The park is less than an hour’s drive from Las Cruces, NM, 1.5 hours from El Paso, TX, and 3.5 hours from Albuquerque, NM.        

Why Go Sledding at White Sands National Park?

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Unlike some of the more famous national parks like Yellowstone or Great Smoky Mountains, White Sands is small and very doable in one day, or even an afternoon.

There are only a handful of hiking trails and viewpoints to knock out. But one thing you should make time to do is to sled down the sand dunes!

The park features several picnic areas throughout the dune field that are accessible for sledding. 

You might be wondering if the sand is hot. That would make sense since the park is located in the desert, where it can get very hot during the summer.

However, because of the sand’s white color and gypsum content, the sand reflects the sun’s heat and remains cool to the touch throughout the year.

So even if you come on the roastiest of days in the middle of summer, the sand remains relatively cool, which is good news for sledders. 

RELATED: Hikes in White Sands National Park

Things To Know Before Sledding to Gypsum Dunes

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If you’ve never sled on sand before, you should know that it’s different from sledding on snow.

For one, sand is not as slippery as snow, so don’t expect to sled as fast.

You also want to avoid getting sand in your mouth, since it doesn’t just melt away like snow. 

Lastly, you want to keep an eye out for hard ground at the bottom of the dune.

Test the area for a soft, sandy landing spot before taking the plunge down a dune.

You can bring your own sleds with you to the park. Or, you can pick up a sled at the park’s visitor center gift shop, or at Walmart in the nearby city of Alamogordo.

Saucer-type sleds work best, and they work even better if you wax them beforehand. You can also pick up wax at the gift shop.

FAQs about Sand Sledding in White Sands

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How Much Does Sand Sledding Cost in White Sands National Park?

There’s no charge for sledding in the park, though you’ll need to pay for a parking pass to enter the park, which is $25 per car.

If you haven’t brought your own sled, then you’ll need to buy one at the gift shop, and they’re a little on the pricey side.

Last we looked, new sleds were $26, and used ones were $17.

What to wear when Sand Sledding in White Sands National Park? 

Though you don’t need any special kind of attire to enjoy sledding at White Sands, we do recommend that you wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.

You’ll also probably have a more enjoyable time with sunglasses, to protect your eyes both from the intense glare and from sand.

When is the Best Time to Go Sand Sledding at White Sands National Park? 

Because the sand stays cool year-round, you can enjoy sand sledding any time of year.

However, we recommend avoiding especially windy days, as getting sand in your eyes is never fun.

Also, if you can time your sledding to just after a rainfall, then you might find the sand to be extra slick, adding an element of fun.

Best Spots for Sand Sledding in White Sands National Park

There are a number of great sand sledding spots in the park. Most of the sand dune area is open for sledding.

You just want to make sure you don’t sled in a nature area, like the Dune Life Nature Trailhead or Interdune Boardwalk.

Those areas are meant to preserve the natural landscape for wildlife and plants. Otherwise, you’re free to pick a dune and sled down.

1. Backcountry Camping Trailhead

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There is an area in the park designated as a backcountry camping area. However, the trailhead and parking lot is an excellent place to try your hand at sledding. The Backcountry Camping Trailhead is included in the Shaka Guide Tour

2. Alkali Flat Trailhead

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The most intense trail at White Sands is the trail to Alkali Flat. Fortunately, you don’t have to hike any of it to enjoy some sledding.

The trailhead is next to some of the tallest dunes in the park, making it one of the best places to sled. The Alkali Flat Trailhead is included in the Shaka Guide Tour.

3. Roadrunner Picnic Area

There are several picnic areas located within the dune field, and the Roadrunner Picnic Area is the largest. The Shaka Guide tour takes you past most of the picnic areas, but Roadrunner is located on a short spur that we skip.

However, it’s easy to sneak over to the Roadrunner Picnic Area, and then continue the tour when you’re finished.

Tips on Sand Sledding 

So you’ve got your sled, your wax, your sunglasses. You’re at one of the best places in the park to sled. So now what?

First, pick a dune that’s clear of vegetation at the bottom. We want to protect the sparse vegetation that grows in the dunes, and it’s also just uncomfortable to sled into plants.

Make sure your sled is properly waxed on the bottom, and then sit in the sled. We recommend sitting or laying feet first.

The ground at the bottom may be hard, so you probably don’t want to go head first.

Then slide down! Your first time may not be very fast. And don’t expect to endlessly glide at the bottom like you would on snow.

You’ll likely come to an abrupt halt. One tip is to slide over the same spot over and over again, creating a packed trail of sand. This will help slice up that sand for some faster sledding.

Don’t forget to reapply the wax!

Final Thoughts 

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Sand sledding is one of the most iconic ways to enjoy White Sands National Park and one of the most memorable experiences on a road trip of the American Southwest.

White Sands is a truly unique landscape and a worthy stop on a tour of America’s national parks.

Even if you don’t care for sledding, you’ll experience incredible plant and animal life, striking colors, and one of the most glorious sunsets in the country.

Join Shaka Guide as we explore this easily accessible park, into this rare and beautiful landscape.

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Ready to take the tour? Check out Shaka Guide's White Sands National Park Tour!

We hope that we’ve given you all the information you need to make the most of your day. Your vacation is extremely important to us so if you have any questions feel free to reach out at aloha@shakaguide.com.

For more detailed information to help you plan, check out our White Sands National Park Itinerary and Know Before You Go article.

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