Traveling adds up, so we’re always on the hunt for an attraction that’s as affordable as it is stunning. And that’s exactly what you’ll get with White Sands National Park, an inexpensive destination to add to your road trip itinerary, stat. It’s a bucket list item among the National Parks to visit in New Mexico that everyone should do at least once!
It’s awesome that one of the most famous spots in New Mexico is pretty dang affordable. Plus, as with any national park, there are free fee days – check the calendar here. And once you’re in White Sands National Park, you won’t need to be spending any money to have a totally memorable experience.
Of course, the big draw of the park is its striking white sand dunes. Their color comes from the gypsum crystals that make up the sand here.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
While the park is located in New Mexico, about 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo, it looks more like an Artic tundra than a desert hotspot at first glance.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
There are all sorts of free activities to do once you’re inside this truly beautiful, unique park.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
Of course, one of the most popular activities is sledding.
National Park Service
The sand is very similar to snow in more ways than just appearance. Hop on a sled and go sliding down these massive dunes!
White Sands National Park/Facebook
White Sands is also a popular area for hiking, bicycling, and camping. You can have a real outdoor adventure when you road trip here.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
Clearly, White Sands National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring, gorgeous places in the United States.
White Sands National Park/Facebook
White Sands National Park is easily one of the prettiest – and cheapest – road trip destinations in the United States, let alone New Mexico. Which National Park to visit in New Mexico is your favorite? Tell us about it in the comments!
White Sands National Park/Facebook
National Park Service
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Address: 19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park to Visit in New Mexico March 31, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best parks in New Mexico? Honestly, what parks in New Mexico aren’t the best ever? The Land of Enchantment is home to so many amazing, truly enchanting places – our parks are just a small sliver of those, but they are significant. Some of our favorite – and the most popular – parks in New Mexico include the amazing White Sands National Park, which is a truly amazing place housing the largest pure gypsum dunes in the world. Other beloved favorites include City of Rocks State Park, for its unusual volcanic rock formations and an alien landscape, Elephant Buttes State Park, which is the largest part in New Mexico and features a huge lake with marinas and sandy beaches galore, and finally, Bottomless Lakes State Park, which is several natural sinkholes turned lakes. Those lakes make for great hiking! Honestly, every state park in New Mexico is the best park in New Mexico. This state is truly magical. What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico? New Mexico is an outdoors enthusiast’s dream come true. There’s so much to do, see, and explore that it might just be impossible to do it all in one lifetime – though we can totally try. New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the United States, and it’s home to all sorts of must-do outdoor bucket list items. Visit all five of our National Forests, 15 National Parks and monuments, 34 state parks, and 26 wilderness areas. These places are all perfect for camping, world-class hiking, biking, and so much more. There are also more than 1,200 lakes scattered throughout New Mexico, making it the ideal destination for rafting, kayaking, and other water-based activities. Of course, there’s always the old-fashioned stuff, too, like the amazing stargazing to be had in New Mexico’s designated Dark Skies. If you haven’t looked up into an unpolluted, perfectly pristine dark night sky, into the millions of stars shimmering above… you haven’t yet lived. But no worries: you can do that in New Mexico – that, and so much more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Park to Visit in New Mexico
March 31, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best parks in New Mexico? Honestly, what parks in New Mexico aren’t the best ever? The Land of Enchantment is home to so many amazing, truly enchanting places – our parks are just a small sliver of those, but they are significant. Some of our favorite – and the most popular – parks in New Mexico include the amazing White Sands National Park, which is a truly amazing place housing the largest pure gypsum dunes in the world. Other beloved favorites include City of Rocks State Park, for its unusual volcanic rock formations and an alien landscape, Elephant Buttes State Park, which is the largest part in New Mexico and features a huge lake with marinas and sandy beaches galore, and finally, Bottomless Lakes State Park, which is several natural sinkholes turned lakes. Those lakes make for great hiking! Honestly, every state park in New Mexico is the best park in New Mexico. This state is truly magical. What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico? New Mexico is an outdoors enthusiast’s dream come true. There’s so much to do, see, and explore that it might just be impossible to do it all in one lifetime – though we can totally try. New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the United States, and it’s home to all sorts of must-do outdoor bucket list items. Visit all five of our National Forests, 15 National Parks and monuments, 34 state parks, and 26 wilderness areas. These places are all perfect for camping, world-class hiking, biking, and so much more. There are also more than 1,200 lakes scattered throughout New Mexico, making it the ideal destination for rafting, kayaking, and other water-based activities. Of course, there’s always the old-fashioned stuff, too, like the amazing stargazing to be had in New Mexico’s designated Dark Skies. If you haven’t looked up into an unpolluted, perfectly pristine dark night sky, into the millions of stars shimmering above… you haven’t yet lived. But no worries: you can do that in New Mexico – that, and so much more.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Honestly, what parks in New Mexico aren’t the best ever? The Land of Enchantment is home to so many amazing, truly enchanting places – our parks are just a small sliver of those, but they are significant. Some of our favorite – and the most popular – parks in New Mexico include the amazing White Sands National Park, which is a truly amazing place housing the largest pure gypsum dunes in the world. Other beloved favorites include City of Rocks State Park, for its unusual volcanic rock formations and an alien landscape, Elephant Buttes State Park, which is the largest part in New Mexico and features a huge lake with marinas and sandy beaches galore, and finally, Bottomless Lakes State Park, which is several natural sinkholes turned lakes. Those lakes make for great hiking! Honestly, every state park in New Mexico is the best park in New Mexico. This state is truly magical.
What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico?
New Mexico is an outdoors enthusiast’s dream come true. There’s so much to do, see, and explore that it might just be impossible to do it all in one lifetime – though we can totally try. New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the United States, and it’s home to all sorts of must-do outdoor bucket list items. Visit all five of our National Forests, 15 National Parks and monuments, 34 state parks, and 26 wilderness areas. These places are all perfect for camping, world-class hiking, biking, and so much more. There are also more than 1,200 lakes scattered throughout New Mexico, making it the ideal destination for rafting, kayaking, and other water-based activities. Of course, there’s always the old-fashioned stuff, too, like the amazing stargazing to be had in New Mexico’s designated Dark Skies. If you haven’t looked up into an unpolluted, perfectly pristine dark night sky, into the millions of stars shimmering above… you haven’t yet lived. But no worries: you can do that in New Mexico – that, and so much more.
