White Sands National Park, located in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico, is the world's largest gypsum dune field, covering over 275 square miles of desert. The park's dazzling white dunes, formed from the crystalline mineral gypsum, create a surreal landscape that seems otherworldly.
Visitors can explore the dunes on foot, sledding down the soft white sands, or driving the scenic Dunes Drive. The park is also a place of solitude and reflection, where the vast, open sky meets the stark, pure land.
Despite the harsh desert environment, the park supports a variety of life, including unique species of plants and animals adapted to living in the gypsum dunes. White Sands National Park is a testament to the natural beauty and mystery of the American Southwest.
Biome at White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park, located in southern New Mexico, is a unique and iconic ecosystem that showcases one of the world's largest gypsum dune fields. The park's distinctive environment supports a number of specialized biomes and habitats. Keep on reading to learn more about the biomes at White Sands National Park.
Airports Near White Sands National Park
This is a list of the closest airports to the park, if you plan on flying into White Sands click here to read our recommendations.
| Distance to Park | Drive Time | ||
| Holloman Afb Airport | 15.8 miles | 15 mins | Get Directions |
| Alamogordo-White Sands Regional Airport | 21.1 miles | 14 mins | Get Directions |
| Las Cruces International Airport | 109.5 miles | 1 hour 2 mins | Get Directions |
| Sierra Blanca Regional Airport | 128.4 miles | 1 hour 33 mins | Get Directions |
| Biggs Army Air Field (Fort Bliss) Airport | 154.0 miles | 1 hour 33 mins | Get Directions |
| El Paso International Airport | 157.6 miles | 1 hour 33 mins | Get Directions |
| Abraham Gonzalez International Airport | 175.3 miles | 2 hours 3 mins | Get Directions |
| Truth Or Consequences Municipal Airport | 206.4 miles | 1 hour 53 mins | Get Directions |
| Socorro Municipal Airport | 235.0 miles | 2 hours 23 mins | Get Directions |
Cities Near White Sands National Park
Here are some of the closest cities and towns near the park, take a look at our recommendations for where to stay when visiting White Sands.
| Distance to Park | ||
| Alamogordo | 23.7 miles | Get Directions |
| Tularosa | 35.6 miles | Get Directions |
| Ruidoso | 76.9 miles | Get Directions |
| Las Cruces | 77.1 miles | Get Directions |
| Chaparral | 87.0 miles | Get Directions |
| Hatch | 92.9 miles | Get Directions |
| Anthony | 94.9 miles | Get Directions |
| Carrizozo | 100.0 miles | Get Directions |
| Canutillo | 104.5 miles | Get Directions |
| Truth or Consequences | 108.2 miles | Get Directions |
White Sands National Park TimeZone
The timezone at White Sands is America/Denver, the current time here is:
Sunrise and Sunset Times at White Sands National Park
This table shows the sunrise and sunset times at White Sands for the next 10 days, use it to plan your day around White Sands stunning displays.
|
Date |
Sunrise |
Sunset |
| December 22, 2024 | 07:02 | 17:04 |
| December 23, 2024 | 07:02 | 17:05 |
| December 24, 2024 | 07:03 | 17:05 |
| December 25, 2024 | 07:03 | 17:06 |
| December 26, 2024 | 07:04 | 17:07 |
| December 27, 2024 | 07:04 | 17:07 |
| December 28, 2024 | 07:04 | 17:08 |
| December 29, 2024 | 07:05 | 17:09 |
| December 30, 2024 | 07:05 | 17:09 |
| December 31, 2024 | 07:05 | 17:10 |
Weather at White Sands National Park
This table shows weather averages around the year at White Sands National Park, it provides information on average rainfall, as well as maximum and minimum temperatures. Be sure to consult it when planning your trip.
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| January | -2.2 °C / 12.6 °C | 11.2mm | Bad Weather |
| February | -0.6 °C / 15.0 °C | 9.3mm | Bad Weather |
| March | 3.0 °C / 18.5 °C | 9.7mm | Good Weather |
| April | 7.9 °C / 24.3 °C | 4.6mm | Perfect Weather |
| May | 12.6 °C / 29.6 °C | 5.4mm | Perfect Weather |
| June | 17.9 °C / 34.1 °C | 16.8mm | Bad Weather |
| July | 20.5 °C / 34.2 °C | 31.9mm | Bad Weather |
| August | 19.4 °C / 33.0 °C | 37.7mm | Bad Weather |
| September | 16.0 °C / 30.5 °C | 22.7mm | Perfect Weather |
| October | 9.2 °C / 24.7 °C | 18.3mm | Perfect Weather |
| November | 2.0 °C / 17.8 °C | 82.2mm | Tolerable Weather |
| December | -1.9 °C / 12.9 °C | 50.2mm | Bad Weather |