White Sands National Park is not a developed-campground park

Gypsum dunes — not silica sand — make White Sands the world's largest gypsum dunefield at 275 square miles, and the dune shape changes daily under prevailing southwest winds. Designated a national park in 2019 (formerly a national monument), the park has no developed campground; the backcountry tent loop (10 sites, walk-in from the Backcountry Trailhead) is the only overnight option, no RV access at all. White Sands Missile Range surrounds the park and conducts weapons tests that close US-70 and the park access road for 2-3 hours roughly twice a month — the schedule is published on the NPS site week-of. RV staging is in Alamogordo, 15 miles east, at the Alamogordo / White Sands KOA or several private RV parks. Summer afternoons run 100°F+ with no shade.

Other national parks in New Mexico

More from the 50-park catalog