White Sands National Monument - Plan Your Visit (U.S. National Park Service)

NOTICE: Alcohol is prohibited within the park during the months of February, March, April and May. No glass bottles or kegs are allowed at any time of year.

SEEING THE PARK

Your first stop should be the White Sands Visitor Center, which includes a museum, information desk, orientation video, book store, gift shop and restrooms. Allow approximately 30 minutes for Visitor Center activities. The Visitor Center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The Dunes Drive, an eight-mile scenic roadway, leads from the Visitor Center into the heart of the White Sands dune field. Allow 30 minutes driving time for this sixteen-mile round trip, plus additional time for hiking, photography, sand play and other recreational activities.

The Heart of the Sands Nature Center, located near the end of the Dune Drive, highlights the plants and animals that have adapted to life in the white sands. Due to staffing limitations, the Nature Center has irregular hours.

Accessibility

All facilities at the Visitor Center, including restrooms, are wheelchair accessible. Along the Dunes Drive, selected picnic tables and pit toilets are wheelchair accessible.

The 600-yard long Interdune Boardwalk allows wheelchair access to the top of a dune.

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