White Sands National Park hiking guide
Dune Life Nature Trail
A 0.9-mile trail with 140 ft of climbing in White Sands National Park.
Key facts
- Length
- 0.9 mi (1.5 km)
- Elevation gain
- 140 ft (43 m)
About Dune Life Nature Trail
This loop sits where desert scrub meets the gypsum dunes, so you'll see more plants here than in the dunefield's core. Fourteen trailside signs, led by a kit fox mascot, explain which animals live in the area and what they eat, though most wildlife stays hidden during the day. Expect soft sand, steep climbs up dunes, and little shade, so carry plenty of water.
