a day in the dunes: exploring the magic of white sands national park
i had seen so many pictures and videos of White sands national park before we decided to go and i couldn’t wait to see it! white sands national park takes your breath away the moment you arrive. the park is set in southern new mexico and literally feels like stepping onto another planet.
we only had one day to explore, but it was more than enough time to explore and fall in love!
most of the time when we go to national parks we always try to arrive very early before the crowds, but this time we had a sunset photo session scheduled planned with a local photographer.
We decided to take the drive from Albuquerque to White Sands, which is about a three-hour trip. We always like to kick things off at the visitor center of every national park to grab a map and get our passport stamped. Plus, we planned to pick up our sleds for some fun sand sledding. The visitor center is super charming and has the perfect desert vibe.
One of the best parts about visiting white sands is that it’s an easy park to explore by car. the dunes drive winds throughout the heart of the park, and since it’s relatively small-we ended up driving through it a couple of time, stopping at different pullouts and trails each time and trails each round.
each time we stopped there was a slightly different view-some dunes are wide and flat, others rise high with rippled patterns shaped by the wind. even just pulling the car over and walking a short distance gives you a magical feeling being surrounded by white, quiet beauty.
we stopped at the dune life nature trail and interdune boardwalk-both are short and easy walks and perfect for taking in the scenery. the texture of the sand changes constantly, and it’s so soft and cool to walk on which is so unique compared to other desert landscapes.
it’s also an absolute blast to go sand sledding down the dunes! we stopped at a couple of places that weren’t too crowded and you want to look for gradual slops-not slops that are too steep. i laughed like a child the entire time and can’t wait to try it again one day.
As sunset approached, the light began to shift dramatically-the white dunes turned shades of pink, gold, and lavender, and the distant mountains glowed a deep orange.
we picked a really good photographer that knew the area really well and what spots were the best for good photos. it was absolutely freezing during our session haha so we will never forget being dressed for the beach in 50 degree weather!
our photographer captured the scene beautifully, but even without a camera, it’s a moment you will not forget-the park becomes quiet, with only the sound of wind across the sand. i am so thankful we had our photos taken in white sands because it’s such a unique place and i will treasure the memories the rest of my life.
White sands national park tips:
arrive early or stay late- the lighting at white sands is everything!!
even in march it gets cold! bring layers-a warm jacket, hat & gloves if you tend to get really cold
drive the dunes more than once! it’s a smaller park and easy to drive the dreamy road a couple times
go barefoot or bring sand-friendly shoes- the gypsum sand is surprisingly cool (even in warm weather)
try sledding down the dunes! you can bring your own or rent from the visitors center
white sands national park completely blew my expectations away…it literally was like a dream with the white gypsum sand that felt like it went on forever with the beautiful cactus sprouting out from it. i especially loved sand sledding and seeing sunset with the pinkish hews on the sand with the backdrop of the glowy sunset.
For those who are interested in our journey to New Mexico, which includes our experiences at White Sands National Park, we have compiled a wealth of information. This covers accommodation suggestions, restaurant recommendations, excursions, must-see attractions, hiking tips, and shopping in Santa Fe. Click the link below to access our custom-curated travel itinerary in PDF format, complete with our full schedule, helpful links, and tips.
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Happy Travels!
Mandy
