The best camping near White Sands National Park

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.