White Sands National Park guide · 2 min read
Dunes Drive: The Park's Only Road
Dunes Drive is the park's only road. It starts at the visitor center and runs eight miles one way into the heart of a gypsum dunefield spanning 275 square miles, the largest of its kind in the world.
The 16-mile round trip takes about 45 minutes of driving, but most people set aside extra time for photos and stops.
The first five miles are paved, and the last three are packed gypsum that can develop washboarding, or uneven ripples across the surface. Cars, motorbikes, recreational vehicles, and buses can all use the road. The route curves in places, so slow down, stay alert, and follow the posted speed limits.
Yucca, Roadrunner, and Primrose picnic areas sit off the road between six and seven miles in. Together they hold 62 shaded tables, which go to whoever arrives first, and some are built for visitors with disabilities. Every table has a raised grill. Roadrunner also has two pavilions that suit groups of up to 20. If you bring your own grill, you can use it in picnic areas and pull-outs, but any charcoal must leave the park with you.
The White Sands Visitor Center dates to 1936 and sits in the historic district where the drive begins. Inside you'll find rangers to answer questions, museum exhibits, a short orientation film, and a park store. It is also the only place in the park with water filling stations, so fill up before you go.
Between miles 3 and 5.5 lies a safety corridor. Inside it, stopping, parking, and leaving your vehicle are off limits unless a law enforcement ranger directs you or you have written consent. The area south of the road is closed to all foot and horse traffic. Weather and testing at the nearby White Sands Missile Range can also close the drive, so check park alerts before you set out.
