White Sands National Park

Fall is a wonderful time to visit as most of our plants with leaves change beautiful colors.
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.
Map showing location of park.
White Sands to Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with 1st Armored Division Rock Band Performance at Full Moon Night Event.
White Sands National Park will host its first Full Moon Night event of the year on Monday June 29, 2026, at 8 p.m. in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In partnership with Western National Parks, White Sands is pleased to welcome back the 1st Armored Division Rock Band at the park’s amphitheater for a special performance at the park's June Full Moon Night event.
A man in a hat holding a Nikon camera on a tripod.
White Sands to Offer Program Highlighting Artistic Perspectives on the Dunefield
White Sands National Park and park partner Western National Parks will host a special presentation on Sunday May 31, 2026, at 1 pm, in the visitor center theater. Author and photographer Craig Varjabedian will share observations from his time photographing White Sands National Park and discuss his experiences exploring the park’s dunefield.
Navajo rugs on display. Top text in white on black reads: 'Upcoming Event' (left) and 'National Park Service, Department of the Interior, White Sands National Park' (right), with the NPS arrowhead logo."
White Sands National Park to Host Navajo Rug Show April 25-26
White Sands National Park, in partnership with the Western National Parks Association, will host Hubbell Trading Post’s Navajo Rug Show in the park’s visitor center courtyard from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26. Visitors can experience the culture and heritage of the Navajo people while browsing and learning about hundreds of handcrafted Navajo rugs from the oldest continuously operating trading post in the American Southwest.
White dunes in foreground with sun setting behind mountain.
Photo by NPS Photo
Aerial of white sand dunes.
Photo by NPS Photo
Close up view of ripples on a dune.
Photo by NPS Photo
Cottonwood trees with orange leaves.
Photo by NPS Photo
Grey shadows on dunes.
Photo by NPS Photo