The best camping near White Sands National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next White Sands National Park adventure.

Otherworldly gypsum sands create a backdrop for adventure in southern New Mexico.  

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Top-rated campgrounds near White Sands National Park

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White Sands Culinary Camp

6 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Alamogordo, NM
Just three short miles from Oliver Lee State Park, our primitive camp doesn't yet have all of the amenities of the state park, but we offer amenities the park doesn't! Your Camp Host, Chef Üdø, is onsite most days and evenings, and has 30 years' experience in the catering and private chef biz, and as a camp host. He's happy to coordinate hot meals for you and your companions! No more need to go into town to get a pizza or some icky fast food! We will make you a homemade pizza, dry-aged steak, brined chicken, buffalo burger, or lasagna...all in-house. Vegan, vegetarian, kosher, low-sodium, and most other dietary restrictions are no problem! We'll bake you a birthday cake, brownies, pie, or even Crème brûlée! Contact Chef Üdø for more details and please check out our menu in the “Extras” section of our campsite listing. We can make just about anything in our sanitary kitchen facilities. We cook with a spirit of Love and inclusion in our kitchen, and it shows! ❤️ Chef Üdø maintains current local food handler's certification, as well as HAACP federal certification. Prices are friendly and competitive with local restaurants. Vacuum-sealed frozen meals, aka “sous vide” available for most recipes. (Please check “extras” section for more detail) We offer a 15amp electrical connection, access to clean running water, and access to our 4 acre back pasture. And if you prefer a more luxurious camping experience, we offer a BnB experience in our amazing rooftop tent!! This package includes exclusive use of the entire campsite, as well as a catered meal for two! We feature unparalleled views of the sunrise over the mountains, as well as convenient access to the park and Lincoln National Forest, White Sands National Monument, BLM off-road parklands, and nearby Alamogordo. Firewood available onsite for friendly prices (provided there isn't a current burn ban). **Be among the first to experience the most luxurious tent camping in our SmittyBilt Overlander Gen. 2 XL rooftop tent! Crisp, freshly sanitized linens, soft fleece or cotton blankets available. (Please note rental is *only* for the rooftop tent. Jeep rental is not available). For warmer months, we provide Air Conditioning for the rooftop tent at no extra cost! Additional onsite and backcountry packages are available, including fully-catered backcountry excursions in the Lincoln National Forest, wildlife spotting tours, photo tours, and even backcountry drive-in movies are available! Campfire setup, breakfast and omelette bar also available. ***Please note we do not yet have a handwashing sink but provide a spigot or water hose.
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Horner Hipcamp

15 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Radium Springs, NM
New to Hipcamp, but want to share my beautiful property with others. Located on the bank of the Rio Grande River with access to the river at all times. Property is rustic now, but improvements will continue to be made as time goes on. Come help me develop this beautiful location into the best Hipcamp in New Mexico. Just 14 miles of the Chile Capital of the World, Hatch, NM, come during chile harvest to take home fresh green chile right out of the field. 21 miles from Las Cruces, where you will find plenty of events and entertainment, should you so desire. Spaceport, America, T or C, White Sands are all within a day's drive, and Fort Selden is just a few miles down the road, as is Blue Moon Bar and Grill. My dad first came to this property as a farm hand for the elderly couple who owned it. This was in the 1930's. He met my mother, who lived 6 miles down the road, in 1939. She was just 14. Every Sunday he would ride those 6 miles to have supper with her and her family and in 1940, 2 weeks after her 16th birthday, they married. They traveled around before coming back here, buying a small portion of this farm from the elderly owners and farming the rest for them, but in 1953, the man died (his name was Ernest Ward) in the small concrete house I now use for storage, that my dad had built for he and his wife when he first came to work for them. My parents built a home for his widow in Hatch (14 miles) and bought the farm from her. My family has owned it since. I was gone for 31 years, but returned to the land and place I love and plan to stay here till I die!
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White Sands Manufactured Home & RV

1 site · RV10 acres · Alamogordo, NM
White Sands Community is an award-winning property offering RV spaces in the scenic town of Alamogordo. The community offers dramatic views of the 9,000-foot Sacramento Mountains. The pull-through RV spaces feature full hookups (30 and 50 amps), paved lots, privacy walls, and free cable TV. Amenities include a spacious clubhouse with large-screen TV and billiards, resort-style swimming pool, playground, basketball court, shuffleboard, and laundry facilities. Walking distance to major stores and restaurants Flexible lot rental options Ideal location for Snow Birds 15 minutes from White Sands National Park Amazing views! Professional onsite management team On site amenities: Clubhouse Potable water Dog park Laundry facilities Showers Game room Garbage Bathrooms Picnic area Playground Cable TV Outdoor pool Nearby amenities: Disc golf swimming Basketball golf hiking biking walking trails wineries
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Hacienda RV Resort

108 sites · RVs10 acres · Las Cruces, NM
Hacienda RV Resort offers a warm and welcoming retreat for adventurous adults, families and pets! Immediately located off the I-10, exit 140, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We’re only minutes from downtown. Less than 1.5 miles away is the heart of Old Mesilla, where the Gadsden Purchase was signed, making New Mexico a part of the United States in 1854. Just 45 minutes from the RV resort is the bustling City of El Paso, Texas. Paved roads lead into our spacious pull-thru or back-in sites, many boasting breathtaking views. Watch the sun rise over the Organ Mountains, relax on our large outdoor patio with a wood burning fireplace, or enjoy our comfortable southwestern community room with an indoor fireplace. Our gift shop is stocked with locally sourced products that make excellent gifts for those back home! Las Cruces’ elevation is approximately 3,900 feet. Average summer temperatures range from the 90s during the day to the 60s at night, while average winter temperatures range between the mid-50s and 60s during the day and the lower 30s at night.
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The best camping near White Sands National Park guide

Overview

About

Have you ever gone sand sledding? The world’s largest gypsum dune field is found in Southern New Mexico, offering a natural playground like no other. The smooth ivory hills are contrasted by the jagged peaks of the Organ Mountains and the expansive landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert. Take a journey along Dune Drive, walk the Interdune Boardwalk or the many hiking trails, or gaze up at the stars sparkling in the night sky. Campers will not find campgrounds in White Sands National Park; however, there are public lands nearby with established campgrounds and dispersed locations for boondocking. RVers will find private RV parks in nearby Alamogordo and Las Cruces.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for views: Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument allows dispersed camping, with some developed but primitive sites, offering renowned views.
  • Best for amenities: Nearby Oliver Lee Memorial State Park offers partial hookups, a dump station, and views of the Sacramento Mountains.
  • Best shaded campsites: Venture into Lincoln National Forest to find a shaded retreat from the Chihuahuan Desert suns.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  • Oliver Lee Memorial State Park has a mix of reservable sites and first-come-first-served. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance.
  • Camping in the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and campsites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
  • All campgrounds and dispersed camping locations in the Lincoln National Forest are first-come, first-served.

When to go

If you visit White Sands National Park in summer, expect simmering heat. The sands will be hot, as daytime temperatures top 90 degrees. However, if you stick around for a sunset stroll, the air cools quickly. Though daytime temperatures are not quite as hot in spring and fall, hikers should always carry plenty of sunscreen and drinking water—and a jacket, as evenings are chilly. This park is open year round, and winter days are quite pleasant, but campers might encounter freezing temperatures at night.

Know before you go

  • Primitive backcountry camping is sometimes allowed on park grounds, but the NPS may be rehabilitating landscapes, prohibiting camping. Call the visitor center to learn more.
  • Advanced tickets are required for the monthly full moon hikes. Led by park rangers, this one-mile hike through the white sand dunes glowing under the full moon offers an unforgettable experience.
  • One interesting warning from the NPS: This park is near the White Sands Missile Range, and undetonated devices may be found on park lands due to nearby missile tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, camping is allowed at White Sands National Park. There are 10 backcountry camping sites available, which are accessible via a short hike from the trailhead. These sites are on a first-come, first-served basis and require a permit that can be obtained at the park's visitor center. Keep in mind that there are no campfires, pets, or vehicles allowed at the backcountry sites.

Additionally, you can find uncrowded camping options just outside the park at Hipcamps.

The closest city to White Sands National Park is Alamogordo, New Mexico. It is located about 15 miles (24 kilometers) northeast of the park and offers various accommodations, dining options, and other services for visitors.

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