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One of my favorite National Parks is in the middle of New Mexico, filled with bright white sand. White Sands National Park has some fantastic activities, whether you want to spend your day hiking the dunes or the night under the stars. Here are four unique things to do when visiting White Sands National Park!

4 Unique Things To Do In White Sands National Park

1. Go Stargazing

Stargazing in this International Dark Sky Park is impressive, thanks to its exceptionally dark skies with minimal light pollution. The New Mexico sky is filled with thousands of stars, planets, and constellations on clear nights.

One of the best places to stargaze is the Dune Fields Overlook. Several overlooks along the Dunes Drive offer elevated vantage points for stargazing. These areas provide panoramic views of the dune field and surrounding landscape, making them ideal for observing the night sky.

Want to read my guides on Stargazing in other National Parks

Here are the Best Spots For Stargazing at Arches National Park in Utah!

And, my guide on Stargazing at Great Basin National Park in Nevada!

2. Hike The Alkali Flat Trail

The trail is 4.4 miles long and gains 52 feet in elevation. You will start by driving to the end of the Dunes Drive parking lot, where you will park.

The trail took us to a gypsum dune field, where we experienced these unique white sands up close. The dunes cover about 275 square miles, making it the largest gypsum dune field in the world.

The Alkali Flat Trail is marked by red trail markers with a diamond symbol, which serves as a guide for hikers.

3. Visit The World’s Largest Pistachio

If you plan to visit White Sands National Park in New Mexico, prepare for a delightful surprise – just a short distance away is the World’s Largest Pistachio!

This iconic landmark is a roadside wonder at McGinn’s PistachioLand in Otero County, New Mexico. You absolutely cannot miss it as you drive by.

Whatever you do, please do not leave here without getting a tasty farm-made waffle bowl filled with their homemade Pistachio Ice Cream. You can even take a picture of it with the World’s Largest Pistachio.

Read my entire guide on the The World’s Largest Pistachio!

4. Go Sand Sledding

One of the most exciting things at White Sands National Park is sledding down the Sand Dunes.

While I did not do this at White Sands, I did it at Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, and it was so much fun. You can read my guide: Sand Sledding At Great Sand Dunes: Everything To Know!

To sand sled, you must hike to the top of the dune and slide your way to the bottom.

You can buy sleds from the gift shop, but they are overpriced. Waxed plastic snow saucers work best; you can also bring your own sleds. 

Tips For Visiting White Sands National Park

• Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and protective clothing, as temperatures can be extreme, especially in the summer.
• Respect the fragile desert ecosystem by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash.
• Check the park’s website or contact the visitor center for current conditions, closures, and any safety advisories before your visit.

Where Is The National Park Located?

White Sands National Park is located in New Mexico, United States, near Alamogordo.

Want more guides on National Parks? Check out my entire collection here.