By:
Submission
Spend a night under the twinkling stars of the vast New Mexico skies, surrounded by the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Monument offers backpackers the opportunity to enjoy a night camping on the white sands and listening to the nocturnal activities of the animals that make their home here in this unique ecosystem. The Backcountry Loop is used most frequently by backpackers who want to spend a night under the stars in the dunes. However, it is also open to visitors that want a shorter hike through the heart of the dunes than the Alkali Flat trail. The trail is approximately 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round-trip and is a moderately strenuous hike up and down over the dunes. The average completion time for the trail is roughly 1.5 hours. There are ten primitive backcountry camping sites available on a first-come-first-served basis. Because of the possibility of closure due to missile testing on the adjacent missile range, we cannot allow advanced reservations.
Backcountry camping sites are located along the Backcountry Camping Loop Trail, which is located about six miles north on Dunes Drive.
One of its kind, White Sand National Park is one of the most fascinating places to visit in the south western states of the US. The sands are very fine and appear like piles of snow from a distance. It's a wide open space where you can explore various sand arts formed by the blowing wind. Since the sand mounds are dynamic, the landscape changes over time. If you are planning to hike, carry a lot of water and make sure you follow the trail markers since it's easy to get lost in the vastness open area specially if you start the hike in the evening.
Also, the temperature can drop very quickly once the sun goes down so cloth wisely. It's pet friendly so you can take your furry friends along.
Also, it's wise to carry your own sledge board as you have to pay $20.00 for one if you buy them at the visitor center shop.
One of the coolest national parks I’ve been to. Crazy to see the endless sand dunes and just hearing about the history of the area. We did the longest hike here which is the Alkali Flat Trail which is a little under 5 miles round trip. Overall nice, there is signage but sometimes gets knocked down by the wind. Also there is zero shade so just be aware! Nice hike tho, just be prepared.
It is a very beautiful place to visit! Around the time that I went about 3 PM it was very fresh and towards 5PM it was much colder. Around 50° the sand felt very cool and it was such a beautiful sight to see. It was indeed a new experience ! They also have these plastic disks you can purchase to slide down steep dunes.
