Southwest
White Sands National Park Tour

Duration
2-4 Hours
Audio Points
34
Tour Stops
6

About The Tour

Discover the mesmerizing dunes of White Sands National Park. The largest gypsum dunefield in the world is one entrancing place, with hikes through the dunes, interpretive trails, and plenty of picnic areas to sled in the sand. And with Shaka Guide, you’ll hear some of the incredible stories that make ...

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Discover the mesmerizing dunes of White Sands National Park. The largest gypsum dunefield in the world is one entrancing place, with hikes through the dunes, interpretive trails, and plenty of picnic areas to sled in the sand. And with Shaka Guide, you’ll hear some of the incredible stories that make White Sands National Park such a fascinating place to be.

Here are just a few of the fun things you can do on the tour!

• Take a challenging hike through expansive dune fields at Alkali Flat Trailhead.
• Go on a stroll amidst the gypsum dunes at The Interdune Boardwalk.
• Visit the historic White Sands Visitor Center for informative exhibits and to chat with a ranger.
• Witness some of the park's diverse flora and fauna at the Dune Life Nature Trail.
• Explore the Playa Trail - a captivating path leading to ephemeral wetlands, known as playas, offering a unique opportunity to witness the fascinating interactions between sand and water.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

Recommended Start Time: Before 9:00 a.m.
Tour Starting Point(s): The tour has four starting points: Route 70 coming from Las Cruces, NM, Route 54 near Tularosa, NM, Route 82 coming from Cloudcroft, NM, and Route 54 south of Alamogordo, NM.
Time to complete: 2-4 Hours

All Shaka Guide tours come with customer support and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Tours never expire.

Sample Tour Audio

The History of White Sands
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White Gypsum Sand
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The Birth of a New Age
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Tour Stops

White Sands Visitor Center
Playa Trail
Dune Life Nature Trail
Interdune Boardwalk
Backcountry Camping Trailhead
Alkali Flat Trailhead

Tour Route


Customer Reviews

(15835)

The Classic Hana was super helpful and current. Get your Black Sands Beach permit well ahead of time as of 2021. Entertaining and informative! Ability to make your trip your own. One-time purchase to use again. The 2fer with Haleakala was nice. Thanks again!

Todd Brodie | 1 year ago | Android

Just Buy It!!

This made the trip to Hana and Black Sands Beach just that much more enjoyable and memorable. We loved learning about the history of Maui and the sites along the way. We were on a time crunch to make our reservations to Wai’anapanapa State Park so the insight on “worth it” stops was very helpful. Wish I would’ve downloaded this for our trip sooner!

Katluverfitnessfreakkkkk | 3 years ago | iOS

Shaka Maui

I ran across this app accidentally, and after reading the reviews decided to download it. I had been to Maui before 3 or 4 times, but this was the first time for my daughter. This app is golden! Particularly on the road to Hana- which we did twice. This first time we did the entire loop around the bottom of Haleakala, and we stopped at almost everything suggested on the guided tour. The second time, we wanted to hike, and we had reservations for the black sands beach, so we just went to Hana and then back the same way. Both were full day trips, both were made much more enjoyable by the directions, commentary and music. We also used the Haleakala tour for our drive to the top and enjoyed that very much as well. I’ll be checking out the app for the other islands when I come back.

PodMama | 3 years ago | iOS

Where is White Sands National Park?

White Sands National Park is located in southern New Mexico, near the town of Alamogordo. It’s located about 220 miles, or three and a half hours from Albuquerque. If you’re taking Shaka Guide’s White Sands National Park Tour, we’ll guide you to t...

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Can you go sledding at White Sands National Park?

Yes, visitors can go sledding on the park's gypsum sand dunes. To go sledding at White Sands National Park, rent a sled or bring your own, then head to designated dunes (not all dunes are suitable for sledding, so check in advance). Be sure to fol...

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When’s the Best Time to Visit White Sands National Park?

The best time to visit White Sands National Park is during the fall (October to November) and spring (February to April). During this time, the temperatures are milder, offering more comfortable conditions for outdoor activities.

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What is an Audio Tour Guide?

Think of us as your personal tour guide in an app. Our tours provide everything a guided tour does, but with the freedom to explore on your terms. Here's how it works:

  • GPS triggers audio narration to play automatically as you drive or walk.
  • Listen to stories, get local insights, visit must-see stops and get turn-by-turn navigation.
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Tour FAQs

Where does the White Sands National Park Tour go?
This tour has 6 stops. Check out the itinerary here for a complete list of stops and if you’re looking for more information to help plan your trip, here’s what you need to know before you go!
What should I pack for the White Sands National Park Tour?
Cash and a credit cardCanteen/refillable water bottleWater: about one gallon of water per person, per dayCoolerSledHiking shoes and clothesSunscreenHatFirst Aid KitBug spraySalty snacks/fruits/nutsPhone charger/mount
What should I budget for the White Sands National Park Tour?
What you spend depends on the activities you do, but here’s a list of entry fees on the tour: Park entry costs $25 per vehicle. All stops on this tour are included in the entry fee. 
What are the park hours for the White Sands National Park Tour?
The park is open from 7 a.m. - sunset all year round. Every stop on the tour, aside from the visitor center, is accessible during these times. The White Sands Visitor Center is open 9am-5pm daily, September through May. 9am-6pm daily Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Can I join the White Sands National Park Tour en route?
Yes! The tour has four starting points: Route 70 coming from Las Cruces, NM, Route 54 near Tularosa, NM, Route 82 coming from Cloudcroft, NM, and Route 54 south of Alamogordo, NM. If you’d like to join the tour en route, just make sure that you follow the numbers in chronological order from where you are starting from. If you don’t begin at one of the tour starting points you’ll miss a few stories, but you’ll still have a great experience.
Can I take the White Sands National Park Tour in the opposite direction?
No, this tour is only available in one direction.
Other Questions? Contact us!
​​Still have questions? Send us an email at aloha@shakaguide.com or give us a call at (808) 201-8138.

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